--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I directed my first short…" description: "\"When I directed my first short - 'American Virgin' - I had no idea if I could actually do it. Like, I might just get onto set, have everyone look at me..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/tamzin-merchant-34284_american_when-i-directed-my-first-short-american_128198.jpg" --- # When I directed my first short - 'American Virgin' - I had… ![“When I directed my first short - 'American Virgin' - I had no idea if I could actually do it. Like, I might just get onto set, have everyone look at me and just completely freeze and have no idea what to do. But pretty much the opposite of that happened. I was like a fish diving into the sea.” quote by Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/tamzin-merchant-34284_american_when-i-directed-my-first-short-american_128198.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/tamzin-merchant-34284_american_when-i-directed-my-first-short-american_128198.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b06/tamzin-merchant-34284_american_when-i-directed-my-first-short-american_128198.jpg) > “When I directed my first short - 'American Virgin' - I had no idea if I could actually do it. Like, I might just get onto set, have everyone look at me and just completely freeze and have no idea what to do. But pretty much the opposite of that happened. I was like a fish diving into the sea.” [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Initially fearful of directing, the speaker unexpectedly felt confident and immersed, like a fish diving into water, highlighting how preparation can transform anxiety into flow. **In simple terms:** Preparation turned fear into confidence. Key Takeaway Prepare to turn fear into flow. Themes confidence flow creativity Mood motivational reflective Type professional inspirational When to use this quote - directing a short film - first‑time projects - creative workshops - team leadership Key Concepts psychology film production Questions to Reflect On - What prepares you for new creative roles? - How do you maintain flow under pressure? A Different Perspective Unexpected challenges can still cause doubt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) [Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea/) [Virgin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virgin/) ## Related quotes > [An American Virgin would never dare command; an American Venus would never dare exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/an-american-virgin-would-never-dare-command-an-american-venus-would/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [I majored in screenwriting and playwriting in school - and wanted to make films as a career. But when I directed my first short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-birbiglia/i-majored-in-screenwriting-and-playwriting-in-school-and-wanted-to/) [Mike Birbiglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-birbiglia/) > [Before 'Dancing with the Stars,' I'd directed a short called 'Man vs. Monday' that I sent out to all the festivals just to show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-ziering/before-dancing-with-the-stars-i-d-directed-a-short-called-man-vs/) [Ian Ziering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-ziering/) > [“You're a virgin. You have no idea what you're asking for." "Then you will have to teach me." "Not like this. Not on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mccarty/you-re-a-virgin-you-have-no-idea-what-you-re-asking-for-then-you-will/) [Sarah McCarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mccarty/) > [I love to produce, and I've directed two short films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-dunst/i-love-to-produce-and-i-ve-directed-two-short-films/) [Kirsten Dunst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-dunst/) > [I did a run of a play over the summer in a really tiny theater in New York and that was rejuvenating for me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-stiles/i-did-a-run-of-a-play-over-the-summer-in-a-really-tiny-theater-in-new/) [Julia Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-stiles/) > [You're allowed to make things for women on television, and there's not like... you don't have to go through the humiliation of having made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/callie-khouri/you-re-allowed-to-make-things-for-women-on-television-and-there-s-not/) [Callie Khouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/callie-khouri/) > [“Is it so bad being directed if you like where you’re headed?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/is-it-so-bad-being-directed-if-you-like-where-you-re-headed/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [Football is a personal interest which has been turned into a philanthropic initiative directed at encouraging social cohesion during the difficult process of African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-hussein-al-amoudi/football-is-a-personal-interest-which-has-been-turned-into-a/) Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi > [My M.F.A was in directing, and all the films I've made, for film school and after, I've written, directed and shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-s-fletcher/my-m-f-a-was-in-directing-and-all-the-films-i-ve-made-for-film-school/) [Geoffrey S. Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-s-fletcher/) > [What government has been doing, we've got major programmes now, of billions of pounds, which are directed by central government into these areas of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-prescott/what-government-has-been-doing-we-ve-got-major-programmes-now-of/) [John Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-prescott/) > [Women consume, and they must be directed what to consume, or they may identify you as lunch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-patrick-shanley/women-consume-and-they-must-be-directed-what-to-consume-or-they-may/) [John Patrick Shanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-patrick-shanley/) > [I've followed Gary Oldman his whole career... I've watched the movies he's directed, like 'Nil by Mouth' - I've seen that five times!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-ve-followed-gary-oldman-his-whole-career-i-ve-watched-the-movies-he/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [My fate cannot be mastered; it can only be collaborated with and thereby, to some extent, directed. Nor am I the captain of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/my-fate-cannot-be-mastered-it-can-only-be-collaborated-with-and/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [I've also directed, shot, and edited several music videos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-king/i-ve-also-directed-shot-and-edited-several-music-videos/) [Richard King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-king/) ## More by Tamzin Merchant > [Days are long when you're filming, so I catch up on sleep during breaks to avoid looking tired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/days-are-long-when-you-re-filming-so-i-catch-up-on-sleep-during/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [People say never work with children and animals. I actually like working with Oliver Bell, and working with a rat really opens possibilities to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/people-say-never-work-with-children-and-animals-i-actually-like/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [The most disturbing thing, I think, with people that do very morally devious things more and more often is to see that they completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/the-most-disturbing-thing-i-think-with-people-that-do-very-morally/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [There's nothing worse than a director who feels more like a cop than a comrade, so I try to never give orders or create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/there-s-nothing-worse-than-a-director-who-feels-more-like-a-cop-than/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [We show our faces to support the billions of young people who suffer a lack of education. We show our faces to honour the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/we-show-our-faces-to-support-the-billions-of-young-people-who-suffer/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [Don't shop when you're hungry or in a grumpy mood. You need to feel happy and confident to make the best decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/don-t-shop-when-you-re-hungry-or-in-a-grumpy-mood-you-need-to-feel/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [We show our faces to demand that politicians making promises stick to those promises. We show our faces to ensure that the youth of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/we-show-our-faces-to-demand-that-politicians-making-promises-stick-to/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [I've always been drawn to storytelling, and acting is the most immersive form of storytelling you can get involved with! You're actually in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/i-ve-always-been-drawn-to-storytelling-and-acting-is-the-most/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [We show our faces to demand human rights for everyone, everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/we-show-our-faces-to-demand-human-rights-for-everyone-everywhere/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [Writing and directing, to me, was the logical evolution from my life as an actor: going from telling someone else's story to actually creating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/writing-and-directing-to-me-was-the-logical-evolution-from-my-life-as/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [I think the most rewarding part for me is kind of not knowing where the story's going next, and then finding out and being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/i-think-the-most-rewarding-part-for-me-is-kind-of-not-knowing-where/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [Looking forward, we see that it is the youth of today who hold the key to tomorrow. And we can help unlock it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/looking-forward-we-see-that-it-is-the-youth-of-today-who-hold-the-key/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) > [My favourite colour is red, but I also like jewel tones and monochrome, while my preferred shapes include A-line skirts and skinny trousers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamzin-merchant/my-favourite-colour-is-red-but-i-also-like-jewel-tones-and-monochrome/) [Tamzin Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) [Explore all 14 Tamzin Merchant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamzin-merchant/) ## More American quotes > [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/) > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. 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The words I use are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/although-i-write-in-english-and-despite-the-fact-that-i-m-from/) [William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [Firefighters and rescue workers are American superheroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-kennedy/firefighters-and-rescue-workers-are-american-superheroes/) [Kerry Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-kennedy/) > [France has not only built a bureaucratic barrier against American culture, it has constructed a notorious intellectual case against it as well. The French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/france-has-not-only-built-a-bureaucratic-barrier-against-american/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [New York and San Francisco are distinctly different. San Francisco is driving the American media, not New York. You have young, microwaved millionaires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-whitlock/new-york-and-san-francisco-are-distinctly-different-san-francisco-is/) [Jason Whitlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-whitlock/) > [Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. We have to take risks and it's important that we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/well-look-cia-is-an-agency-that-has-to-collect-intelligence-do/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) > [Food as a hobby used to be an elite pastime, and it has become something that is totally ordinary for people of every background.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-goodyear/food-as-a-hobby-used-to-be-an-elite-pastime-and-it-has-become/) [Dana Goodyear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-goodyear/) > [It's important for American soldiers to be culturally sensitive when deployed in foreign countries. But it's just as important for the U.S. never to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/it-s-important-for-american-soldiers-to-be-culturally-sensitive-when/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) Browse all 7,717 American quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I directed my first short - 'American Virgin' - I had no idea if I could actually do it. Like, I might just get onto set, have everyone look at me and just completely freeze and have no idea what to do. But pretty much the opposite of that happened. 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