--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We joke a lot about how, in Hollywood…" description: "\"We joke a lot about how, in Hollywood, the writer is one step below the doormat. That's not self-loathing. That's true!\" — Robert Ben Garant" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/robert-ben-garant-11413_hollywood_we-joke-a-lot-about-how-in-hollywood-the_713277.jpg" --- # We joke a lot about how, in Hollywood, the writer is one… ![“We joke a lot about how, in Hollywood, the writer is one step below the doormat. That's not self-loathing. That's true!” quote by Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/robert-ben-garant-11413_hollywood_we-joke-a-lot-about-how-in-hollywood-the_713277.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/robert-ben-garant-11413_hollywood_we-joke-a-lot-about-how-in-hollywood-the_713277.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/robert-ben-garant-11413_hollywood_we-joke-a-lot-about-how-in-hollywood-the_713277.jpg) > “We joke a lot about how, in Hollywood, the writer is one step below the doormat. That's not self-loathing. That's true!” [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote humorously acknowledges that writers are often undervalued in Hollywood, but it’s an honest observation, not self‑deprecation. **In simple terms:** Writers are seen as low‑status in Hollywood, but it’s true. Key Takeaway Recognize and elevate the writer’s role. Themes humor industry critique self‑awareness Mood wry reflective Type satirical observational When to use this quote - film production meetings - script pitch sessions - career counseling for writers Key Concepts creative hierarchy valuation bias Questions to Reflect On - How can the industry better honor writers? - What steps can writers take to assert their value? A Different Perspective May overlook the essential contributions writers make to storytelling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) [Joke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joke/) [Self loathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-loathing/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [That's one thing I like about Hollywood. The writer is there revealed in his ultimate corruption. He asks no praise, because his praise comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/that-s-one-thing-i-like-about-hollywood-the-writer-is-there-revealed/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [I'm a Hollywood writer, so I put on my sports jacket and take off my brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-hecht/i-m-a-hollywood-writer-so-i-put-on-my-sports-jacket-and-take-off-my/) [Ben Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-hecht/) > [It was 1996 and I was at a crossroads in my career. I had been working in Hollywood as a writer and was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/it-was-1996-and-i-was-at-a-crossroads-in-my-career-i-had-been-working/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [The honors Hollywood has for the writer are as dubious as tissue-paper cuff links.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-hecht/the-honors-hollywood-has-for-the-writer-are-as-dubious-as-tissue/) [Ben Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-hecht/) > [There were guys in 'The State' who would take one script and rewrite it and rewrite it and rewrite it and fight for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/there-were-guys-in-the-state-who-would-take-one-script-and-rewrite-it/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [There was a joke in Czechoslovakia: The Communist Party dance, it's one step forward, two steps backward, and everyone is still clapping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martina-navratilova/there-was-a-joke-in-czechoslovakia-the-communist-party-dance-it-s-one/) [Martina Navratilova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martina-navratilova/) > [I try to always step up to the plate, be professional, be good at what I'm doing and deliver on the character. In Hollywood,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-lawrence/i-try-to-always-step-up-to-the-plate-be-professional-be-good-at-what/) [Martin Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-lawrence/) > [It was a very excellent day over there at HBO/Cinemax when they bought 'Powers' . I felt like I graduated television college, because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/it-was-a-very-excellent-day-over-there-at-hbo-cinemax-when-they/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [When you work at home, fellow alums, discipline is the supreme virtue. Suicidal self-loathing lurks behind every coffee break. Activities must be expertly scheduled,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/when-you-work-at-home-fellow-alums-discipline-is-the-supreme-virtue/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [I don't trust anyone who hasn't been self-destructiv e in some way, and who hasn't gone through some sort of bout of self-loathing. You've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/i-don-t-trust-anyone-who-hasn-t-been-self-destructiv-e-in-some-way/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [“Personal disillusionment accompanied by self-pity and self-loathing are the Achilles’ heel of modern humankind, representing the weakness of the human spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/personal-disillusionment-accompanied-by-self-pity-and-self-loathing/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [“Although I know very little of the Steppenwolf's life, I have all the same good reason to suppose that he was brought up by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/although-i-know-very-little-of-the-steppenwolf-s-life-i-have-all-the/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Change your thoughts, change your life. —LAO TZU When I was fighting depression, I remember hearing this expression and not understanding it at first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/change-your-thoughts-change-your-life-lao-tzu-when-i-was-fighting/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Listen, young people, I understand narcissism - clearly. But at least I have the decency to hate myself. And that's what's missing from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janeane-garofalo/listen-young-people-i-understand-narcissism-clearly-but-at-least-i/) [Janeane Garofalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janeane-garofalo/) > [“Don't worry, nothing speaks louder than a lifetime of regret and self-loathing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/don-t-worry-nothing-speaks-louder-than-a-lifetime-of-regret-and-self/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) ## More by Robert Ben Garant > [There were guys in 'The State' who would take one script and rewrite it and rewrite it and rewrite it and fight for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/there-were-guys-in-the-state-who-would-take-one-script-and-rewrite-it/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [You need to know that going in, and you also need to be able to write all the time. So when somebody looks at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/you-need-to-know-that-going-in-and-you-also-need-to-be-able-to-write/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [Not taking criticism of your writing personally is an enormous step towards surviving the studio system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/not-taking-criticism-of-your-writing-personally-is-an-enormous-step/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [Movies are very, very good to me; What do I need TV for?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/movies-are-very-very-good-to-me-what-do-i-need-tv-for/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [I write manically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/i-write-manically/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [Most movies were always terrible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/most-movies-were-always-terrible/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [I don't think people realize how many scripts you write that go nowhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/i-don-t-think-people-realize-how-many-scripts-you-write-that-go/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [If you have a writing partner that you don't share a work ethic with, it's doomed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/if-you-have-a-writing-partner-that-you-don-t-share-a-work-ethic-with/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [For a living I write stuff that I know is gonna sell to a studio and make a lot of money at the multiplex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/for-a-living-i-write-stuff-that-i-know-is-gonna-sell-to-a-studio-and/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [There are a huge amount of people who sell a TV pilot every year, but most of them never get produced. It's very easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/there-are-a-huge-amount-of-people-who-sell-a-tv-pilot-every-year-but/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [It's much easier to get your material out to the public now than it was in 1988, when you basically had to get onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/it-s-much-easier-to-get-your-material-out-to-the-public-now-than-it/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [You can't teach somebody how to be a good writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/you-can-t-teach-somebody-how-to-be-a-good-writer/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > ['Balls of Fury' was my first time directing, and that's a movie that I think parts of it are great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/balls-of-fury-was-my-first-time-directing-and-that-s-a-movie-that-i/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [ You have to be willing to throw \[writing\] stuff away and replace it. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/you-have-to-be-willing-to-throw-writing-stuff-away-and-replace-it/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) > [If you can learn to be incredibly passionate about your work without fighting for it just because it's yours, that's a huge thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ben-garant/if-you-can-learn-to-be-incredibly-passionate-about-your-work-without/) [Robert Ben Garant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) [Explore all 60 Robert Ben Garant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ben-garant/) ## More Hollywood quotes > [Hollywood is very much an industry town. Your life becomes caught up in all of the parties and this list and that list. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-johnson/hollywood-is-very-much-an-industry-town-your-life-becomes-caught-up/) [Don Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-johnson/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [Hollywood is so fixated on keeping it that way because it's generating the buzz, but that representation isn't right. I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [“Artist Matthew Barney has made a film about “shit”. It is hardly original. Hollywood has made shit films for decades.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-cavanagh/artist-matthew-barney-has-made-a-film-about-shit-it-is-hardly/) [Dean Cavanagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-cavanagh/) > [If you can believe it, Hollywood wanted to change my birthdate. I was born after Valentine's Day, so they wanted to change it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-romero/if-you-can-believe-it-hollywood-wanted-to-change-my-birthdate-i-was/) [Cesar Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-romero/) > [In a lot of movies, African-Americans are either maids or slaves, but that's not all they were. We need to show that. And we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-schroeder/in-a-lot-of-movies-african-americans-are-either-maids-or-slaves-but/) [Allison Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-schroeder/) > [“I'm always looking for evidence to support my conjecture that celebrity in Hollywood is sort of like a Joel Peter Witkin photograph: It looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cintra-wilson/i-m-always-looking-for-evidence-to-support-my-conjecture-that/) [Cintra Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cintra-wilson/) > [I came to Hollywood to be a movie song-and-dance man just at the time those films were going out of style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-berry/i-came-to-hollywood-to-be-a-movie-song-and-dance-man-just-at-the-time/) [Ken Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-berry/) > [Writing is the life blood of everything in Hollywood. Without writers, there are no scripts, no acting work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-wong/writing-is-the-life-blood-of-everything-in-hollywood-without-writers/) [Ali Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-wong/) > [Popular culture as a whole is popular, but in today's fragmented market it's a jostle of competing unpopular popular cultures. As the critic Stanley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/popular-culture-as-a-whole-is-popular-but-in-today-s-fragmented/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [Hollywood regency never goes out of style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-spencer/hollywood-regency-never-goes-out-of-style/) [Lara Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-spencer/) > [Washington is a Hollywood for ugly people. 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