--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The best directors I've worked with, they…" description: "\"The best directors I've worked with, they all have the same thing in common. They're the first to say, 'I don't know.' If you ask them, 'How are we act..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/ryan-reynolds-1923_asks_the-best-directors-i-ve-worked-with-they_2807334.jpg" --- # The best directors I've worked with, they all have the… ![“The best directors I've worked with, they all have the same thing in common. They're the first to say, 'I don't know.' If you ask them, 'How are we actually pulling off this movie?', they'll just shrug and go, 'I have absolutely no idea.'” quote by Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/ryan-reynolds-1923_asks_the-best-directors-i-ve-worked-with-they_2807334.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/ryan-reynolds-1923_asks_the-best-directors-i-ve-worked-with-they_2807334.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/ryan-reynolds-1923_asks_the-best-directors-i-ve-worked-with-they_2807334.jpg) > “The best directors I've worked with, they all have the same thing in common. They're the first to say, 'I don't know.' If you ask them, 'How are we actually pulling off this movie?', they'll just shrug and go, 'I have absolutely no idea.'” [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Great directors embrace uncertainty, admitting they don’t fully understand their craft, which fosters creativity and collaboration. **In simple terms:** Admitting ignorance can lead to better filmmaking. Key Takeaway Be comfortable with not knowing everything. Themes leadership creativity humility collaboration Mood reflective inspirational Type professional motivational When to use this quote - film production - team meetings - problem solving Key Concepts epistemic humility creative process Questions to Reflect On - How does not knowing affect your work? - When is uncertainty beneficial? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on uncertainty can stall decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Best Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-directors-1635059/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors/) [Directors Ve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors-ve-1276732/) [Don Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-know/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [No idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-idea/) [Pulling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pulling/) [Pulling Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pulling-movie-3495128/) ## Related quotes > [In my experience, the best directors I've worked with hired people for a purpose. They hire them with trust. There's not many notes. There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-hedlund/in-my-experience-the-best-directors-i-ve-worked-with-hired-people-for/) [Garrett Hedlund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-hedlund/) > [ \[Bong Joon-ho'\] is quite different but technically, he is as clever as \[Alfred\] Hitchcock. That's saying something. In humanitarian terms, I think he is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/bong-joon-ho-is-quite-different-but-technically-he-is-as-clever-as/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [My own feminist revolution evolved slowly, and traveled the world with me. To this day I have no idea what dissident professor or librarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mona-eltahawy/my-own-feminist-revolution-evolved-slowly-and-traveled-the-world-with/) [Mona Eltahawy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mona-eltahawy/) > [I worked with the best directors - Martin Scorsese, John Huston, David Lynch, Alfred Hitchcock. Alfred Hitchcock was great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-worked-with-the-best-directors-martin-scorsese-john-huston-david/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I've always wanted to work with the best directors. Directors lead you to the best material and thus the best actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shea-whigham/i-ve-always-wanted-to-work-with-the-best-directors-directors-lead-you/) [Shea Whigham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shea-whigham/) > [I like being adventurous in my choice of roles. It may not be the prescribed way, but it is mine and I have enjoyed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prateik-babbar/i-like-being-adventurous-in-my-choice-of-roles-it-may-not-be-the/) [Prateik Babbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prateik-babbar/) > [I think the best directors rarely lose their temper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/i-think-the-best-directors-rarely-lose-their-temper/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [I love westerns. John Ford is one of the 10 best directors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-ryder/i-love-westerns-john-ford-is-one-of-the-10-best-directors/) [Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-ryder/) > [I want to be a part of the best movies that are being made, and to work with the best directors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaani-kapoor/i-want-to-be-a-part-of-the-best-movies-that-are-being-made-and-to/) [Vaani Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaani-kapoor/) > [I really love Hitchcock; I think he was a complete genius, to me one of the best directors. Such a sense of how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bush/i-really-love-hitchcock-i-think-he-was-a-complete-genius-to-me-one-of/) [Kate Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bush/) > [I've worked with the best directors and co-stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharmendra/i-ve-worked-with-the-best-directors-and-co-stars/) [Dharmendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharmendra/) > [I just want to play interesting characters, and I want to work with the best directors I can work with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-holland/i-just-want-to-play-interesting-characters-and-i-want-to-work-with/) [Andre Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-holland/) > [I think that Phil Kaufman is one of the best directors that I have come across.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-owen/i-think-that-phil-kaufman-is-one-of-the-best-directors-that-i-have/) [Clive Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-owen/) > [You often hear this about directors, how its like having the best set of toys. This fabulous train set, the biggest box of toys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/you-often-hear-this-about-directors-how-its-like-having-the-best-set/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [I was, in my day, one of the best directors of episodic TV around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hemmings/i-was-in-my-day-one-of-the-best-directors-of-episodic-tv-around/) [David Hemmings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hemmings/) ## More by Ryan Reynolds > [I've had an alarming amount of concussions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-ve-had-an-alarming-amount-of-concussions/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [Every time I've gotten myself into trouble, it's because I'm choosing a project based on a long-term career goal as opposed to something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/every-time-i-ve-gotten-myself-into-trouble-it-s-because-i-m-choosing/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [I'm not one of those actors who romanticizes his trials working out and brags that he can bench press a panda now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-m-not-one-of-those-actors-who-romanticizes-his-trials-working-out/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [I won't ask a woman if she's pregnant unless the baby is crowning. We've all seen that happen, where you say, 'So, when are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-won-t-ask-a-woman-if-she-s-pregnant-unless-the-baby-is-crowning-we/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [I'm terrified that I'm genetically predisposed to only having boys. That's frightening. By the time I was 10 years old, and I'm not exaggerating,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-m-terrified-that-i-m-genetically-predisposed-to-only-having-boys/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [All of the physical injuries are like souvenirs. But the emotional stuff is harder. When youre spending 17 straight days in a heightened state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/all-of-the-physical-injuries-are-like-souvenirs-but-the-emotional/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [Honestly, I think it's dumb luck that I'm able to kind of get away doing different types of films in different genres. There's always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/honestly-i-think-it-s-dumb-luck-that-i-m-able-to-kind-of-get-away/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [A producer is someone who actually calls the shots. An executive producer is just a guy that eats more food at craft service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/a-producer-is-someone-who-actually-calls-the-shots-an-executive/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [We learned early on that we had chemistry and I was so grateful for that. It's like one of the few magical things about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/we-learned-early-on-that-we-had-chemistry-and-i-was-so-grateful-for/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [I find that I get a little depressed if I don't move my body each day, so sometimes it's just as simple as walking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-find-that-i-get-a-little-depressed-if-i-don-t-move-my-body-each-day/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [I run in a pair of New Balances with a thinner sole, but they're nothing like those barefoot shoes that show all five toes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-run-in-a-pair-of-new-balances-with-a-thinner-sole-but-they-re/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [I'm not one to mythologize other actors too much, but obviously Sandy Bullock is a gorgeous woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-m-not-one-to-mythologize-other-actors-too-much-but-obviously-sandy/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [My family is as far from a stage family as you could ever possibly find.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/my-family-is-as-far-from-a-stage-family-as-you-could-ever-possibly/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [Each time I take a role, I'm always nervous about it at the beginning and I'm always afraid what if that, what if this.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/each-time-i-take-a-role-i-m-always-nervous-about-it-at-the-beginning/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [The fact that you're friends doesn't necessarily equate to great chemistry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/the-fact-that-you-re-friends-doesn-t-necessarily-equate-to-great/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) [Explore all 198 Ryan Reynolds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) ## More Asks quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [I am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I'm Jewish, I say yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/i-am-a-practicing-catholic-but-my-lineage-is-jewish-so-if-someone/) [Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [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/) > [There is nothing more I ask of this life than this moment, exactly so. And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/) [Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Physicist Isador Isaac Rabi, who won a Nobel Prize for inventing a technique that permitted scientists to probe the structure of atoms and molecules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/physicist-isador-isaac-rabi-who-won-a-nobel-prize-for-inventing-a/) [Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/) [Browse all 7,138 Asks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The best directors I've worked with, they all have the same thing in common. They're the first to say, 'I don't know.' 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