--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I teach film directing, inasmuch as you…" description: "\"I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. It's not really possible to teach film direction, but I sit there as a sort of testimony of experience and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/stephen-frears-28358_cinema_i-teach-film-directing-inasmuch-as-you-c_3088965.jpg" --- # I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. It's not… ![“I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. It's not really possible to teach film direction, but I sit there as a sort of testimony of experience and know-how, I suppose.” quote by Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/stephen-frears-28358_cinema_i-teach-film-directing-inasmuch-as-you-c_3088965.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/stephen-frears-28358_cinema_i-teach-film-directing-inasmuch-as-you-c_3088965.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/stephen-frears-28358_cinema_i-teach-film-directing-inasmuch-as-you-c_3088965.jpg) > “I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. It's not really possible to teach film direction, but I sit there as a sort of testimony of experience and know-how, I suppose.” [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He admits teaching film direction is impossible, but offers personal experience as a guide for aspiring filmmakers. **In simple terms:** Teaching film is hard; share experience instead. Key Takeaway Share practical insights and mentorship. Themes education film mentorship experience learning Mood reflective supportive practical Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - film schools - workshops - on‑set training - peer mentoring Key Concepts pedagogy creative practice Questions to Reflect On - What personal stories best illustrate directing challenges? - How can mentors balance theory and practice? A Different Perspective Practical skills may be limited without formal curriculum. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Directing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directing/) [Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direction/) [Experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experience/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Film directing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film-directing/) [Film Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film-direction-247432/) [Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possible/) [Possible Teach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possible-teach-251118/) [Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really/) [Sit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sit/) [Sort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sort/) [Suppose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suppose/) [Teach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teach/) [Teach Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teach-film-2379699/) [Testimony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/testimony/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. Its not really possible to teach film direction, but I sit there as a sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/i-teach-film-directing-inasmuch-as-you-can-its-not-really-possible-to/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [I look for the ability to work. Directing is hard work. They don't teach you that in film school. Critics are not aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-corman/i-look-for-the-ability-to-work-directing-is-hard-work-they-don-t/) [Roger Corman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-corman/) > [I don't think that my work appeals that much to the hard-core, avant-garde film audience. They appeal to people who teach film and those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-jordan/i-don-t-think-that-my-work-appeals-that-much-to-the-hard-core-avant/) [Lawrence Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-jordan/) > [It's the thing they don't teach you in film school - what happens after you finish your movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leland-orser/it-s-the-thing-they-don-t-teach-you-in-film-school-what-happens-after/) [Leland Orser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leland-orser/) > [What I've always thought I would do is make a bunch of movies and then stop to teach for awhile. And then just teach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/what-i-ve-always-thought-i-would-do-is-make-a-bunch-of-movies-and/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/it-is-not-possible-for-one-to-teach-others-who-cannot-teach-his-own/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Great art direction is NOT the same thing as great film direction!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-wilder/great-art-direction-is-not-the-same-thing-as-great-film-direction/) [Gene Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-wilder/) > [Isn't composing music akin to film direction?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilaiyaraaja/isn-t-composing-music-akin-to-film-direction/) [Ilaiyaraaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilaiyaraaja/) > [Many of my friends and colleagues have told me to take up film direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pratik-gandhi/many-of-my-friends-and-colleagues-have-told-me-to-take-up-film/) [Pratik Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pratik-gandhi/) > [About film direction, nothing is impossible. Maybe someday, you will see me donning the director's hat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rituparna-sengupta/about-film-direction-nothing-is-impossible-maybe-someday-you-will-see/) [Rituparna Sengupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rituparna-sengupta/) > [I'm drawn more to quality, and so if the quality is in television, I go in that direction. If it's in film, I go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddy-rodriguez/i-m-drawn-more-to-quality-and-so-if-the-quality-is-in-television-i-go/) [Freddy Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddy-rodriguez/) > [“I doubt very much if it is possible to teach anyone to understand anything, that is to say, to see how various parts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-holt/i-doubt-very-much-if-it-is-possible-to-teach-anyone-to-understand/) [John Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-holt/) > [My father is a great actor, but I am not into acting. Instead, I took to film direction, which is my passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aishwarya-r-dhanush/my-father-is-a-great-actor-but-i-am-not-into-acting-instead-i-took-to/) [Aishwarya R. Dhanush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aishwarya-r-dhanush/) > [Films were always a passion for me but it was when I saw 'Salaam Bombay' that I decided that it was film direction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoya-akhtar/films-were-always-a-passion-for-me-but-it-was-when-i-saw-salaam/) [Zoya Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoya-akhtar/) > [I don't think it's possible to teach a person to be an artist. But yet, I'm here, and I suppose this is what I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-gloeckner/i-don-t-think-it-s-possible-to-teach-a-person-to-be-an-artist-but-yet/) [Phoebe Gloeckner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-gloeckner/) ## More by Stephen Frears > [To be successful at anything, you need the right to fail, not just occasionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/to-be-successful-at-anything-you-need-the-right-to-fail-not-just/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [The only way you can learn about making films is by making them, by putting your stamp on the thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/the-only-way-you-can-learn-about-making-films-is-by-making-them-by/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [Audiences arent fools - their judgement really is important. And the true heroes of films are the investors. They take the risk, after all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/audiences-arent-fools-their-judgement-really-is-important-and-the/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [I have people around me. I have a semi-permanent crew. If I make a film, they just turn up. They don't even invite themselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/i-have-people-around-me-i-have-a-semi-permanent-crew-if-i-make-a-film/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [I like a lot of takes. I just go on until the actors get it right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/i-like-a-lot-of-takes-i-just-go-on-until-the-actors-get-it-right/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [I want my films to get audiences. I am not interested in making them just for myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/i-want-my-films-to-get-audiences-i-am-not-interested-in-making-them/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [When I go and teach, it sort of opens me up in some way. And when you're open, you're more receptive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/when-i-go-and-teach-it-sort-of-opens-me-up-in-some-way-and-when-you/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. Its not really possible to teach film direction, but I sit there as a sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/i-teach-film-directing-inasmuch-as-you-can-its-not-really-possible-to/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [I like making films about different cultures. I'm interested in things that I've never encountered before. I try to put myself in the audience's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/i-like-making-films-about-different-cultures-i-m-interested-in-things/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [I never thought I was very good at developing material. I grew up at the BBC where they sent you scripts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/i-never-thought-i-was-very-good-at-developing-material-i-grew-up-at/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [It never crossed my mind to make a film about Muhammad Ali or the Queen or any of them! They just come out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/it-never-crossed-my-mind-to-make-a-film-about-muhammad-ali-or-the/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [There's the physical life and the voice, but at some point you abandon all of that, you know what the spirit of the person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/there-s-the-physical-life-and-the-voice-but-at-some-point-you-abandon/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [I've always found poverty a source of strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/i-ve-always-found-poverty-a-source-of-strength/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [Truth is quite constricting, in a way. You endlessly see at the start of a film 'This is a true story'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/truth-is-quite-constricting-in-a-way-you-endlessly-see-at-the-start/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) > [I'm Jewish; I'm not religious at all, and I wouldn't pretend to know anything about Catholic politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-frears/i-m-jewish-i-m-not-religious-at-all-and-i-wouldn-t-pretend-to-know/) [Stephen Frears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) [Explore all 19 Stephen Frears quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-frears/) ## More Cinema quotes > [I made, like, five movies while I was in college. I think they just weren't memorable movies. I've taken breaks as the years have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/i-made-like-five-movies-while-i-was-in-college-i-think-they-just/) [Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/) > [You have to have a great director to make a great movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/you-have-to-have-a-great-director-to-make-a-great-movie/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [There was a time in the 1980s when I worked in 22 films a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radha-ravi/there-was-a-time-in-the-1980s-when-i-worked-in-22-films-a-year/) [Radha Ravi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radha-ravi/) > [To an ever greater extent out experience is governed by pictures, pictures in newspapers and magazines, on television and in the cinema. Next to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-crimp/to-an-ever-greater-extent-out-experience-is-governed-by-pictures/) [Douglas Crimp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-crimp/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > ['Rear Window' isn't really a horror film, but it is a psychological drama, which I love. It is very tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-silvers/rear-window-isn-t-really-a-horror-film-but-it-is-a-psychological/) [Diana Silvers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-silvers/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) [Jessica Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-yu/) > [I am not interested in churning out a certain number of films every year. For me, it's about the quality of work. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepika-padukone/i-am-not-interested-in-churning-out-a-certain-number-of-films-every/) [Deepika Padukone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepika-padukone/) [Browse all 23,940 Cinema quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. 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