--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I have a better idea, I say, 'Can we…" description: "\"If I have a better idea, I say, 'Can we try one like this?' I try not to step on writers' toes, but ninety-nine percent of the time, it ends up in the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/william-sadler-28589_better_if-i-have-a-better-idea-i-say-can-we-try_1310682.jpg" --- # If I have a better idea, I say, 'Can we try one like… ![“If I have a better idea, I say, 'Can we try one like this?' I try not to step on writers' toes, but ninety-nine percent of the time, it ends up in the movie, and sometimes it's the line that everyone remembers and quotes from the movie.” quote by William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/william-sadler-28589_better_if-i-have-a-better-idea-i-say-can-we-try_1310682.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/william-sadler-28589_better_if-i-have-a-better-idea-i-say-can-we-try_1310682.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/william-sadler-28589_better_if-i-have-a-better-idea-i-say-can-we-try_1310682.jpg) > “If I have a better idea, I say, 'Can we try one like this?' I try not to step on writers' toes, but ninety-nine percent of the time, it ends up in the movie, and sometimes it's the line that everyone remembers and quotes from the movie.” [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Proposing ideas respectfully can lead to memorable movie lines, even if it risks stepping on others' creative territory. **In simple terms:** Sharing ideas politely can create iconic film quotes. Key Takeaway Offer ideas with humility. Themes collaboration creativity film Mood enthusiastic optimistic Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - movie production - team meetings - brainstorm sessions Key Concepts Screenwriting Intellectual property Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance assertiveness with respect? - When does an idea become yours? A Different Perspective Risk of idea theft or conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [For me there's always a line or two in a script, when you hit it you almost decide to do the whole movie off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norton/for-me-there-s-always-a-line-or-two-in-a-script-when-you-hit-it-you/) [Edward Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-norton/) > [It's part of the film-making business and also part of the creative process - putting all the pieces together to make a movie, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-fuqua/it-s-part-of-the-film-making-business-and-also-part-of-the-creative/) [Antoine Fuqua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-fuqua/) > [“My new favorite movie line: 'Everything will turn out all right in the end. So if everything is not all right, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/best-exotic-marigold-hotel/my-new-favorite-movie-line-everything-will-turn-out-all-right-in-the/) Best Exotic Marigold Hotel > [“Our institutions are too big; they represent not the best but the worst characteristics of human beings. By submitting to huge hierarchies of power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/our-institutions-are-too-big-they-represent-not-the-best-but-the/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [Ninety-nine percent of singing is listening and hearing, and so then 1 percent of it is singing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-ronstadt/ninety-nine-percent-of-singing-is-listening-and-hearing-and-so-then-1/) [Linda Ronstadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-ronstadt/) > [Ninety-nine percent of the time, when it comes down to it, if I have the choice between a great role and seeing a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-zima/ninety-nine-percent-of-the-time-when-it-comes-down-to-it-if-i-have/) [Madeline Zima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-zima/) > [Ninety-nine percent of Americans have never had malaria, but I've been in Africa and have had malaria six times, so I can say now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-wilkinson/ninety-nine-percent-of-americans-have-never-had-malaria-but-i-ve-been/) [Bruce Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-wilkinson/) > [I was 13 when my parents moved to Israel, and I was put in a Scottish mission school. Ninety-nine percent of the children were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlie-russell-hochschild/i-was-13-when-my-parents-moved-to-israel-and-i-was-put-in-a-scottish/) [Arlie Russell Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlie-russell-hochschild/) > [You want an idea about what you can say. I know it sounds like a bad idea but here's specifically why its actually a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-altman/you-want-an-idea-about-what-you-can-say-i-know-it-sounds-like-a-bad/) [Sam Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-altman/) > [When I started out, people were always asking me, 'Who do you want to be like?' I had no idea what to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/when-i-started-out-people-were-always-asking-me-who-do-you-want-to-be/) [Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/) > [When people come to me with an idea and they say, 'We can do it found footage or traditional,' I always say to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-blum/when-people-come-to-me-with-an-idea-and-they-say-we-can-do-it-found/) [Jason Blum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-blum/) > [“COBB: What do you want from us? SAITO: Inception. Arthur raises his eyebrows. Cobb is poker-faced. SAITO: Is it possible? ARTHUR: Of course not.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-nolan/cobb-what-do-you-want-from-us-saito-inception-arthur-raises-his/) [Christopher Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-nolan/) > [“Always a good idea,” I say. We’re quiet a minute. Finally she says, “How much do you charge?” “A thousand”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/always-a-good-idea-i-say-we-re-quiet-a-minute-finally-she-says-how/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [“This is a horrible idea," I say with a smile. "Go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-skrutskie/this-is-a-horrible-idea-i-say-with-a-smile-go/) [Emily Skrutskie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-skrutskie/) > [Be tenacious. One thing that has allowed me to have some level of success is that I am fine with cold-calling people. It doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-mycoskie/be-tenacious-one-thing-that-has-allowed-me-to-have-some-level-of/) [Blake Mycoskie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-mycoskie/) ## More by William Sadler > [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/) > [You often hear this about directors, how its like having the best set of toys. This fabulous train set, the biggest box of toys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/you-often-hear-this-about-directors-how-its-like-having-the-best-set/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [It used to annoy and frustrate me to have to come in and audition. I would say to my agents, 'Haven't they seen this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/it-used-to-annoy-and-frustrate-me-to-have-to-come-in-and-audition-i/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [People quote lines to me all the time. I'm always surprised - everybody has a favorite movie, and they're always different. I'm always shocked.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/people-quote-lines-to-me-all-the-time-i-m-always-surprised-everybody/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [I love doing comedy, and I don't get a chance to much. I get to play lots of serious people, and killers, and people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/i-love-doing-comedy-and-i-don-t-get-a-chance-to-much-i-get-to-play/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [I think I spent my whole childhood diving out of haylofts with my BB gun and coming out shooting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/i-think-i-spent-my-whole-childhood-diving-out-of-haylofts-with-my-bb/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [When you're in Los Angeles, everybody you meet is writing a movie, and they want you to be in it. Every cab driver is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/when-you-re-in-los-angeles-everybody-you-meet-is-writing-a-movie-and/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [Maybe I don't take myself quite as seriously as I used to, but the work has gotten better and more interesting, and I'm just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/maybe-i-don-t-take-myself-quite-as-seriously-as-i-used-to-but-the/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [I guess I would model myself after the Bill Condons, the Frank Darabonts and the David Nutters if I were to direct a feature,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/i-guess-i-would-model-myself-after-the-bill-condons-the-frank/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [You often hear this about directors, how it's like having the best set of toys. This fabulous train set, the biggest box of toys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/you-often-hear-this-about-directors-how-it-s-like-having-the-best-set/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [In theater, there's a lot of discipline involved in doing eight shows a week for a year and a half. It's nice to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/in-theater-there-s-a-lot-of-discipline-involved-in-doing-eight-shows/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [In my opinion, the actors I admire the most are also character actors - the Dustin Hoffmans and the Robert De Niros. You look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/in-my-opinion-the-actors-i-admire-the-most-are-also-character-actors/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [I love doing comedy, and I don't get a chance to much. I get to play lots of serious people and killers and people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/i-love-doing-comedy-and-i-don-t-get-a-chance-to-much-i-get-to-play-2/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [I'm not so bothered by the audition process anymore; in fact, I use it. It's a time for the actor to actually get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/i-m-not-so-bothered-by-the-audition-process-anymore-in-fact-i-use-it/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) > [I enjoyed 'Roswell' a lot, and I had a lot of fun playing Jim Valenti. I had never done a show that lasted as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/i-enjoyed-roswell-a-lot-and-i-had-a-lot-of-fun-playing-jim-valenti-i/) [William Sadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) [Explore all 19 William Sadler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/) ## More Better quotes > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/) [Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/) > [You can't force people to feel in a certain way, and the sooner you understand that,the better. I feel everything has its way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidharth-malhotra/you-can-t-force-people-to-feel-in-a-certain-way-and-the-sooner-you/) [Sidharth Malhotra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidharth-malhotra/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [The bigger the canvas, the better I do. I'm not so good at understated, kitchen-sink kinds of parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/the-bigger-the-canvas-the-better-i-do-i-m-not-so-good-at-understated/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [The Little you Give !! The Better it Gets !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-stanyer/the-little-you-give-the-better-it-gets/) [Mario Stanyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-stanyer/) > [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [In my first 100 days as Ontario's Minister of Transportation, I found a willing municipal partner in the City of Toronto that shares our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-mulroney/in-my-first-100-days-as-ontario-s-minister-of-transportation-i-found/) [Caroline Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-mulroney/) > [It hasn't been a conscious thing, like, 'I don't want to listen to a bunch of dudes,' but I genuinely like music by women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soccer-mommy/it-hasn-t-been-a-conscious-thing-like-i-don-t-want-to-listen-to-a/) [Soccer Mommy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soccer-mommy/) > [Life is going to hit you some line drives, and sometimes you'll have to think fast. However, it's better to think first than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/life-is-going-to-hit-you-some-line-drives-and-sometimes-you-ll-have/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) > [I like to collaborate with other people for studio recordings because I believe collaboration, in any form, makes music better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-like-to-collaborate-with-other-people-for-studio-recordings-because/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [Absolutely, you can improve and become better at toughness. It's a talent, but it can be acquired, too. I think of it like building…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harbaugh/absolutely-you-can-improve-and-become-better-at-toughness-it-s-a/) [Jim Harbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harbaugh/) > [Not having drops and not taking plays off, if I do that it will make everyone around me better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demaryius-thomas/not-having-drops-and-not-taking-plays-off-if-i-do-that-it-will-make/) [Demaryius Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demaryius-thomas/) > [Cara Delevingne and I took an eyebrow selfie. We both have prominent eyebrows, but hers are much better than mine. Maybe we should do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-poulter/cara-delevingne-and-i-took-an-eyebrow-selfie-we-both-have-prominent/) [Will Poulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-poulter/) > [I never really look at it past one year. I look at last year and my whole goal is to be a better player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/i-never-really-look-at-it-past-one-year-i-look-at-last-year-and-my/) [Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/) Browse all 17,085 Better quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I have a better idea, I say, 'Can we try one like this?' I try not to step on writers' toes, but ninety-nine percent of the time, it ends up in the movie, and sometimes it's the line that everyone remembers and quotes from the movie.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Sadler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/if-i-have-a-better-idea-i-say-can-we-try-one-like-this-i-try-not-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Better" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/if-i-have-a-better-idea-i-say-can-we-try-one-like-this-i-try-not-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/william-sadler-28589_better_if-i-have-a-better-idea-i-say-can-we-try_1310682.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/william-sadler-28589_better_if-i-have-a-better-idea-i-say-can-we-try_1310682.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/william-sadler-28589_better_if-i-have-a-better-idea-i-say-can-we-try_1310682.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If I have a better idea, I say, 'Can we try one like this?' I try not to step on writers' toes, but…” — William Sadler", "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": "William Sadler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sadler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If I have a better idea,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/if-i-have-a-better-idea-i-say-can-we-try-one-like-this-i-try-not-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sadler/if-i-have-a-better-idea-i-say-can-we-try-one-like-this-i-try-not-to/#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 } } ] } ```