--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The director's very important to me…" description: "\"The director's very important to me, particularly when the director has a recognizable style.\" — Willem Dafoe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/willem-dafoe-4486_cinema_the-director-s-very-important-to-me-part_2601857.jpg" --- # The director's very important to me, particularly when the… ![“The director's very important to me, particularly when the director has a recognizable style.” quote by Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/willem-dafoe-4486_cinema_the-director-s-very-important-to-me-part_2601857.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/willem-dafoe-4486_cinema_the-director-s-very-important-to-me-part_2601857.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/willem-dafoe-4486_cinema_the-director-s-very-important-to-me-part_2601857.jpg) > “The director's very important to me, particularly when the director has a recognizable style.” [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A director's distinctive style profoundly shapes a project's artistic identity. **In simple terms:** Director’s style defines a work. Key Takeaway Value unique directorial vision. Themes film artistic vision authorial voice Mood analytical appreciative Type critical philosophical When to use this quote - movie production - theatre - advertising Key Concepts style imprint creative collaboration Questions to Reflect On - How does a director’s style affect storytelling? - Can style outweigh substance? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on style may limit narrative depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/director/) [Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) ## Related quotes > [My main interest in being a director, and the most important thing to me, is that world with the actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-reeves/my-main-interest-in-being-a-director-and-the-most-important-thing-to/) [Matt Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-reeves/) > [I generally enjoy the rehearsal process because that's where you can share your ideas, get your thoughts and feelings out and see whether or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-generally-enjoy-the-rehearsal-process-because-that-s-where-you-can/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I want to be known for having a recognizable style. I believe having your own personal identity is what makes you competitive. On the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cliff-martinez/i-want-to-be-known-for-having-a-recognizable-style-i-believe-having/) [Cliff Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cliff-martinez/) > [As a director, it became important to hear that specific role read by that specific actor, and you hear the chemistry, or you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/as-a-director-it-became-important-to-hear-that-specific-role-read-by/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [I think the director is becoming more important. To work under rushed conditions, you need to have an extremely professional director. If the director's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-ford/i-think-the-director-is-becoming-more-important-to-work-under-rushed/) [Glenn Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-ford/) > [To me, the director is the most important, rather than the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludivine-sagnier/to-me-the-director-is-the-most-important-rather-than-the-story/) [Ludivine Sagnier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludivine-sagnier/) > [As a director, I have to do everything. As an actor, I'm just worried about one role, that's it. As a director, everything is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasha-smith/as-a-director-i-have-to-do-everything-as-an-actor-i-m-just-worried/) [Tasha Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasha-smith/) > [For me, a director is such an important part of thE process. I really have to trust him. Because then you can kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juno-temple/for-me-a-director-is-such-an-important-part-of-the-process-i-really/) [Juno Temple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juno-temple/) > [When I'm choosing projects to be a part of it's always a combination of so many different things. The primary thing is the director.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/when-i-m-choosing-projects-to-be-a-part-of-it-s-always-a-combination/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [The move to turn a director was a very important decision and totally uncalled for, especially after my experience of 27 years as a producer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sajid-nadiadwala/the-move-to-turn-a-director-was-a-very-important-decision-and-totally/) [Sajid Nadiadwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sajid-nadiadwala/) > [I want to take roles that challenge me and I want to like the script and obviously feel connected with the director because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-smart/i-want-to-take-roles-that-challenge-me-and-i-want-to-like-the-script/) [Amy Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-smart/) > [The director is the most important because, ultimately, as an actor, when you watch a movie, it looks like an actor is giving a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/the-director-is-the-most-important-because-ultimately-as-an-actor/) [Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/) > [Having a good director is very important. It's crucial. When you do good work with a certain director, you want to work with them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/having-a-good-director-is-very-important-it-s-crucial-when-you-do/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [It's really hard to make a good film; it's really, really hard. So, the director's very important, and a character that can be described…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-weisz/it-s-really-hard-to-make-a-good-film-it-s-really-really-hard-so-the/) [Rachel Weisz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-weisz/) > [Since I surrender myself to the director, it is important for me to trust him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jisshu-sengupta/since-i-surrender-myself-to-the-director-it-is-important-for-me-to/) [Jisshu Sengupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jisshu-sengupta/) ## More by Willem Dafoe > [I was doing community theater, and I was always interested in acting, but I was also interested in sports. I was interested in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-was-doing-community-theater-and-i-was-always-interested-in-acting/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [I knew very little about 'Spider-Man'. I grew up more in the 'Superman' generation. 'Spider-Man' - I didn't know so much. But it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-knew-very-little-about-spider-man-i-grew-up-more-in-the-superman/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [When you have something to work with, then you fly with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/when-you-have-something-to-work-with-then-you-fly-with-it/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [When I was a kid I was very interested in the idea of the will, finding out what you're capable of. I liked those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/when-i-was-a-kid-i-was-very-interested-in-the-idea-of-the-will/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [Film is an editor's medium. You can create very good raw material and they can make it horrible, or you can do not so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/film-is-an-editor-s-medium-you-can-create-very-good-raw-material-and/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [I'm more interested in talking about what I do. And I don't think people are interested in my personal life. I've never had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-m-more-interested-in-talking-about-what-i-do-and-i-don-t-think/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [ Mounting those red stairs \[in Cannes\] is something I've done with a very different intention many times. So it's interesting any time you witness… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/mounting-those-red-stairs-in-cannes-is-something-i-ve-done-with-a/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [In films you do a scene, you play around with it and unless you're doing a lot of reshooting, which no one has the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/in-films-you-do-a-scene-you-play-around-with-it-and-unless-you-re/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [For every role, you have to always find a different way to approach it, one that's specific and suits what the key is. Every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/for-every-role-you-have-to-always-find-a-different-way-to-approach-it/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [Celebrity is okay as long as you know it's not about you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/celebrity-is-okay-as-long-as-you-know-it-s-not-about-you/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [All the time, as an actor, you want to be asking what's next and where things are going. If you're not asking those questions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/all-the-time-as-an-actor-you-want-to-be-asking-what-s-next-and-where/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [I'm learning in my old age that the only thing you can do to keep your sanity is to stay in the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-m-learning-in-my-old-age-that-the-only-thing-you-can-do-to-keep/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [I was watching 'Wild at Heart,' and I can honestly say I did nothing for that apart from show up!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-was-watching-wild-at-heart-and-i-can-honestly-say-i-did-nothing-for/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [Truth is, generally I like film festivals; somewhere at some level there's an exchange of ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/truth-is-generally-i-like-film-festivals-somewhere-at-some-level/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) > [I don't think people are interested in my personal life. I've never had a Hollywood life. I've always been a worker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/i-don-t-think-people-are-interested-in-my-personal-life-i-ve-never/) [Willem Dafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) [Explore all 110 Willem Dafoe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/) ## 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 > [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": "The director's very important to me, particularly when the director has a recognizable style.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Willem Dafoe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/the-director-s-very-important-to-me-particularly-when-the-director/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cinema" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/the-director-s-very-important-to-me-particularly-when-the-director/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/willem-dafoe-4486_cinema_the-director-s-very-important-to-me-part_2601857.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/willem-dafoe-4486_cinema_the-director-s-very-important-to-me-part_2601857.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbe/willem-dafoe-4486_cinema_the-director-s-very-important-to-me-part_2601857.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The director's very important to me, particularly when the director has a recognizable style.” — Willem Dafoe", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Willem Dafoe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willem-dafoe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The director's very important to me,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/the-director-s-very-important-to-me-particularly-when-the-director/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willem-dafoe/the-director-s-very-important-to-me-particularly-when-the-director/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```