--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My father was a television director and…" description: "\"My father was a television director and producer, working on documentaries and current affairs programmes including 'Panorama,' and I didn't think he'd..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/sarah-alexander-22639_acting_my-father-was-a-television-director-and_1220870.jpg" --- # My father was a television director and producer, working… ![“My father was a television director and producer, working on documentaries and current affairs programmes including 'Panorama,' and I didn't think he'd find acting a sensible option. But as soon as I'd finished my A-levels, I got on a train to Edinburgh, and that was it.” quote by Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/sarah-alexander-22639_acting_my-father-was-a-television-director-and_1220870.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/sarah-alexander-22639_acting_my-father-was-a-television-director-and_1220870.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/sarah-alexander-22639_acting_my-father-was-a-television-director-and_1220870.jpg) > “My father was a television director and producer, working on documentaries and current affairs programmes including 'Panorama,' and I didn't think he'd find acting a sensible option. But as soon as I'd finished my A-levels, I got on a train to Edinburgh, and that was it.” [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She recounts defying family expectations to pursue acting, highlighting a decisive moment after school. **In simple terms:** She chose acting despite her dad’s TV career. Key Takeaway Follow your passion over expectations. Themes career choice family expectations risk taking Mood determined reflective Type personal narrative inspirational When to use this quote - post‑school career decision - moving to a new city - entering performing arts - overcoming familial doubt Key Concepts self‑determination identity formation Questions to Reflect On - What fear held you back from your true calling? - How can you support others facing similar expectations? A Different Perspective Family pressure can cause lasting self‑doubt if not addressed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Current affairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/current-affairs/) [Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director/) [Documentaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/documentaries/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Train](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/train/) ## Related quotes > [My father was a television director, and I always knew I wanted to be in the industry, but I had thought my role was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-glenister/my-father-was-a-television-director-and-i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-be/) [Philip Glenister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-glenister/) > [Television is a director's medium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-coogan/television-is-a-director-s-medium/) [Jackie Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-coogan/) > [Unless you're a directing producer of a television show, for the most part, the director comes in one week to direct and episode, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-balfour/unless-you-re-a-directing-producer-of-a-television-show-for-the-most/) [Eric Balfour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-balfour/) > [I can't see myself being a television director unless it's for a two-hour movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/i-can-t-see-myself-being-a-television-director-unless-it-s-for-a-two/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [I'd love to be a huge television director. I definitely want to do that. I could imagine me going more and more into that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiri-appleby/i-d-love-to-be-a-huge-television-director-i-definitely-want-to-do/) [Shiri Appleby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shiri-appleby/) > [Being on a show like 'Fear the Walking Dead,' I started to learn more about camera work, learn more about the way the crew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/being-on-a-show-like-fear-the-walking-dead-i-started-to-learn-more/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [“Nkiruka loved music, and now I saw that she was right because life is extremely short and you cannot dance to current affairs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cleave/nkiruka-loved-music-and-now-i-saw-that-she-was-right-because-life-is/) [Chris Cleave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cleave/) > [“Randy young couples in Naples don’t even bother with lovers’ lanes they simply park on any street and paste the windows with newspaper. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-harrison/randy-young-couples-in-naples-don-t-even-bother-with-lovers-lanes/) [Chris Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-harrison/) > [There is a tide in the affairs of men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/there-is-a-tide-in-the-affairs-of-men/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“To the extent that propaganda is based on current news, it cannot permit time for thought or reflection. A man caught up in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/to-the-extent-that-propaganda-is-based-on-current-news-it-cannot/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [RTE was set up by legislation as an instrument of public policy, and, as such is responsible to the government. The government have overall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-lemass/rte-was-set-up-by-legislation-as-an-instrument-of-public-policy-and/) Sean Lemass > [Life is extremely short and you cannot dance to current affairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cleave/life-is-extremely-short-and-you-cannot-dance-to-current-affairs/) [Chris Cleave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cleave/) > [“I love science, current affairs, engines, bikes,lipsticks, human behaviour”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malebo-sephodi/i-love-science-current-affairs-engines-bikes-lipsticks-human-behaviour/) [Malebo Sephodi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malebo-sephodi/) > [I was fascinated, long before I joined the SNP, in the world around me; current affairs really interested me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/i-was-fascinated-long-before-i-joined-the-snp-in-the-world-around-me/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [A successful current affairs television show seems to be more and more a cross between a music hall turn and a scene in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-macmillan/a-successful-current-affairs-television-show-seems-to-be-more-and/) [Harold MacMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-macmillan/) ## More by Sarah Alexander > [When my kids were in the school play for the first time, I decided I had to make the costumes from scratch and bought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/when-my-kids-were-in-the-school-play-for-the-first-time-i-decided-i/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [Having started in theatre, for a long time I wanted to be a classical actress. But I've always loved making people laugh - at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/having-started-in-theatre-for-a-long-time-i-wanted-to-be-a-classical/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [I used to do things like white-water rafting, trekking and horse-riding safaris. Recently, though, I had the humiliation of having to turn away from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/i-used-to-do-things-like-white-water-rafting-trekking-and-horse/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [I do not understand the pleasure of being so famous. I just don't get it. I love acting and doing the work. That's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/i-do-not-understand-the-pleasure-of-being-so-famous-i-just-don-t-get/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [The secret of comedy is enjoying it. If you're not laughing, it's not going to be funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/the-secret-of-comedy-is-enjoying-it-if-you-re-not-laughing-it-s-not/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [I think we all love to watch something we know is going to go catastrophically wrong - the old banana skin syndrome, which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/i-think-we-all-love-to-watch-something-we-know-is-going-to-go/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [I often think you need a lot of courage to be in the acting business. The job itself can be incredibly challenging for various…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/i-often-think-you-need-a-lot-of-courage-to-be-in-the-acting-business/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [I have a tendency to overempathize with people, which gets me into tricky situations. I can get sucked in and feel like I need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/i-have-a-tendency-to-overempathize-with-people-which-gets-me-into/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [I think the old classic Porsches are fantastic, with those lovely curved lines, but I don't like the modern ones at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/i-think-the-old-classic-porsches-are-fantastic-with-those-lovely/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [I'm too frightened to go on 'Celebrity Mastermind.' You really are shown up. Just you and a chair - there's no way out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/i-m-too-frightened-to-go-on-celebrity-mastermind-you-really-are-shown/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [It's quite rare to be in something that you would love to watch as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/it-s-quite-rare-to-be-in-something-that-you-would-love-to-watch-as/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [I burn a lot of energy when I'm filming, so I eat a mountain of chicken, broccoli, potatoes and salad, and if I'm absolutely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/i-burn-a-lot-of-energy-when-i-m-filming-so-i-eat-a-mountain-of/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [I have the most dreadfully appalling eyesight. I'm really shortsighted and have been since I was about five. I was the speccy girl with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/i-have-the-most-dreadfully-appalling-eyesight-i-m-really-shortsighted/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [I went to study in Spain for a year after school. It was either that or Russian, so I went for the easy option.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/i-went-to-study-in-spain-for-a-year-after-school-it-was-either-that/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [I had my fortune told once at the Great Wall of China. A withered old lady told my fortune - but it was probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/i-had-my-fortune-told-once-at-the-great-wall-of-china-a-withered-old/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) [Explore all 27 Sarah Alexander quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My father was a television director and producer, working on documentaries and current affairs programmes including 'Panorama,' and I didn't think he'd find acting a sensible option. 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