Money Quote by Samuel Goldwyn
“Here I am paying big money to you writers and what for? All you do is change the words.”
About This Quote
Source Quote: Hollywood anecdote, 1930s film industry
Writers often receive high fees while their work is repeatedly altered, leading to frustration over perceived value.
In simple terms: Writers get paid but their words get changed.
Key Takeaway
Accept that collaboration may reshape your original text.
Themes
creative industry
collaboration
value
frustration
Mood
skeptical
irritated
Type
cynical
observational
When to use this quote
- screenwriting
- contract negotiations
- creative process
Key Concepts
economics
media
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you value the final product over the original draft?
- How can you negotiate for more input?
A Different Perspective
Compensation may not match creative control.
![“I told [a big investor in The New Yorker] - I was complaining the way writers complain.I said'[Bill Shawn] pays very well, but a lot of my pieces don't get in,' and that was true of most of the writers there.But he pays you for them, that was very nice of him. This guy didn't think it was very…” quote by Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aff/nat-hentoff-1615_bad-mistake_i-told-a-big-investor-in-the-new-yorker_1855550.jpg)
![“[when asked by his secretary if she should destroy all files that were over ten years old] Yes, but keep copies.” quote by Samuel Goldwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aec/samuel-goldwyn-3156_copies_when-asked-by-his-secretary-if-she-shoul_240016.jpg)
