Filmmaker Quote by Tom Stoppard
“It's probably unprecedented for a filmmaker simply to take the writers' script and treat it as the instructions on the package. What really happens is you pretty much suppress your own instincts - and your own views on the matter - and write things the way filmmakers would like to have them, though the filmmakers often don't know what they want. They can only find out by reading what you do.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Screenwriting, Tom Stoppard, 2015
Filmmakers often suppress personal instincts, following scripts as strict guidelines, limiting authentic expression.
In simple terms: Filmmakers follow scripts, losing personal voice.
Key Takeaway
Balance script fidelity with personal insight.
Themes
creativity
authenticity
control
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
professional
reflective
When to use this quote
- directing
- writing
- collaboration
- studio demands
Key Concepts
film making
authorial voice
process
Questions to Reflect On
- When should a writer deviate from a script?
- How does personal instinct improve a film?
A Different Perspective
Strict adherence can stifle originality.
