--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I knew nothing about editing when I met…" description: "\"I knew nothing about editing when I met Mr. Scorsese... Through a series of weird events, I ended up at New York University, and there was Martin Scors..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/thelma-schoonmaker-8192_cinema_i-knew-nothing-about-editing-when-i-met_815589.png" --- # I knew nothing about editing when I met Mr. Scorsese… ![“I knew nothing about editing when I met Mr. Scorsese... Through a series of weird events, I ended up at New York University, and there was Martin Scorsese, and he had some troubles with a film I was able to fix. That's the only reason I became a filmmaker.” quote by Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/thelma-schoonmaker-8192_cinema_i-knew-nothing-about-editing-when-i-met_815589.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/thelma-schoonmaker-8192_cinema_i-knew-nothing-about-editing-when-i-met_815589.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/thelma-schoonmaker-8192_cinema_i-knew-nothing-about-editing-when-i-met_815589.png) > “I knew nothing about editing when I met Mr. Scorsese... Through a series of weird events, I ended up at New York University, and there was Martin Scorsese, and he had some troubles with a film I was able to fix. That's the only reason I became a filmmaker.” [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Unexpected encounters and serendipity can launch a career, showing that chance events often shape professional paths. **In simple terms:** Chance meetings can start a career. Key Takeaway Stay open to unexpected opportunities. Themes career serendipity networking film editing learning Mood inspirational reflective Type career motivational When to use this quote - film school - networking events - ment collaborations - career pivots Key Concepts Opportunity theory creative industries career development Questions to Reflect On - How can you create your own serendipitous moments? - What skills prepared you to seize the chance? A Different Perspective Relying on luck may downplay skill development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Editing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/editing/) [Knew Editing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew-editing-315853/) [Martin Scorsese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martin-scorsese/) [Mr Scorsese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mr-scorsese-315852/) [New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Scorsese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scorsese/) [Scorsese Troubles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scorsese-troubles-315851/) [Weird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weird/) ## Related quotes > [The studios are nervous on every movie. It never ends, because Marty's movies are so unusual. He doesn't repeat himself, so they don't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/the-studios-are-nervous-on-every-movie-it-never-ends-because-marty-s/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [ \[Martin\] Scorsese says one of the great things he loves about it is how Mark can't get the right shot and he's killing people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/martin-scorsese-says-one-of-the-great-things-he-loves-about-it-is-how/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [When we were cutting 'Raging Bull,' Martin Scorsese was watching 'The Films of Hoffmann' on a 16-mm print over and over and over again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/when-we-were-cutting-raging-bull-martin-scorsese-was-watching-the/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [As you can imagine, between Michael Powell and Martin Scorsese, I've had quite a rich life!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/as-you-can-imagine-between-michael-powell-and-martin-scorsese-i-ve/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [Within the space of a year, I worked on three TV shows, and the first one was directed by Martin Scorsese, the second one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-dacosta/within-the-space-of-a-year-i-worked-on-three-tv-shows-and-the-first/) [Nia DaCosta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-dacosta/) > [We were the only ones interested in comedy. Everybody else wanted to be Martin Scorsese.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-stone/we-were-the-only-ones-interested-in-comedy-everybody-else-wanted-to/) [Matt Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-stone/) > [When I was filming 'The Outsiders,' my idea of success was getting the next Martin Scorsese movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-lowe/when-i-was-filming-the-outsiders-my-idea-of-success-was-getting-the/) [Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-lowe/) > [I mean, being shot in slow motion doing cocaine by Martin Scorsese is, like, maybe every actor's dream. Nothing will compare to it. Except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-hill/i-mean-being-shot-in-slow-motion-doing-cocaine-by-martin-scorsese-is/) [Jonah Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-hill/) > [There is really no one who hasn't made mistakes in their career. I'm always shocked that people would be so surprised that I might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-corden/there-is-really-no-one-who-hasn-t-made-mistakes-in-their-career-i-m/) [James Corden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-corden/) > [Working with Martin Scorsese was an absolute minute-by-minute education without him ever being grandiose about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/working-with-martin-scorsese-was-an-absolute-minute-by-minute/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [Hollywood is a wonderful machine for making big movies. In France, we make smaller and more personal films, but if things keep changing, this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludivine-sagnier/hollywood-is-a-wonderful-machine-for-making-big-movies-in-france-we/) [Ludivine Sagnier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludivine-sagnier/) > [Producing, for me anyway, it's coming up with material. It's sitting down with you know the likes of Martin Scorsese, Johnny Depp, Michael Mann…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-king/producing-for-me-anyway-it-s-coming-up-with-material-it-s-sitting/) [Graham King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-king/) > [Martin Scorsese and I first met over Zoom; then I met with both Marty and Leonardo DiCaprio, but I never read the script with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-gladstone/martin-scorsese-and-i-first-met-over-zoom-then-i-met-with-both-marty/) [Lily Gladstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-gladstone/) > [It's tough to get any film made, even if you're Martin Scorsese. It's just hard to get films made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sherman-palladino/it-s-tough-to-get-any-film-made-even-if-you-re-martin-scorsese-it-s/) [Amy Sherman-Palladino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sherman-palladino/) > [Leo couldnt deliver Mr. Martin Scorsese his Oscar with The Aviator, but I will go on record to say I will do so in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-anderson/leo-couldnt-deliver-mr-martin-scorsese-his-oscar-with-the-aviator-but/) [Anthony Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-anderson/) ## More by Thelma Schoonmaker > [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/) > ['Raging Bull' was just a dream to work on, but it took a lot of work to get all those fights to work right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/raging-bull-was-just-a-dream-to-work-on-but-it-took-a-lot-of-work-to/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [Film, if properly cared for, will last almost 100 years, but digital will not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/film-if-properly-cared-for-will-last-almost-100-years-but-digital/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [My family goes way back in New York. So I am a New Yorker; I feel like a New Yorker. It's in my bones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/my-family-goes-way-back-in-new-york-so-i-am-a-new-yorker-i-feel-like/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [People expect artists to be too normal, I think. I've been around enough of them now to see that they're very extraordinary human beings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/people-expect-artists-to-be-too-normal-i-think-i-ve-been-around/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [Throwing things out is one of the most difficult and important things you ever have to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/throwing-things-out-is-one-of-the-most-difficult-and-important-things/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [That's the great thing about filmmaking: Things happen you don't know are going to happen at the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/that-s-the-great-thing-about-filmmaking-things-happen-you-don-t-know/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [One day, I read an extremely vague ad looking for someone interested in working in film. Seeing as I loved watching films, I replied,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/one-day-i-read-an-extremely-vague-ad-looking-for-someone-interested/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [Even though my parents are American, I spent my whole childhood and adolescence abroad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/even-though-my-parents-are-american-i-spent-my-whole-childhood-and/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [When you're in a movie with an audience, you can feel where a film is dragging. People start to move. They fidget. You need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/when-you-re-in-a-movie-with-an-audience-you-can-feel-where-a-film-is/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [In the very beginning, women were editors because they were the people in the lab rolling the film before there was editing. Then when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/in-the-very-beginning-women-were-editors-because-they-were-the-people/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [Michael's Powell art director was a painter and they had a wonderful friendship and artistic understanding. Michael himself, in the way he designed his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/michael-s-powell-art-director-was-a-painter-and-they-had-a-wonderful/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [Boxing is insane and, in my opinion, should be banned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/boxing-is-insane-and-in-my-opinion-should-be-banned/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [I love improvisation. I mean, it's hard to edit, because things don't necessarily fall together - you have to find ways to give it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/i-love-improvisation-i-mean-it-s-hard-to-edit-because-things-don-t/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [Even in 'The Red Shoes,' a film that nobody ever has complaints about, there are enormous continuity bumps, and it doesn't matter. You know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/even-in-the-red-shoes-a-film-that-nobody-ever-has-complaints-about/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) [Explore all 83 Thelma Schoonmaker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) ## 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 knew nothing about editing when I met Mr. Scorsese... Through a series of weird events, I ended up at New York University, and there was Martin Scorsese, and he had some troubles with a film I was able to fix. 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