Stephen Frears Quotes

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Stephen Frears

Profession : Director

Birth : June 20, 1941

I never expected to become a director. It never occurred to me to come to America, to Hollywood. It's all been a wonderful accident. I'm still amazed every time I finish a film.

Stephen Frears

I like a lot of takes. I just go on until the actors get it right.

Stephen Frears

I like making films about different cultures. I'm interested in things that I've never encountered before. I try to put myself in the audience's position.

Stephen Frears

The only way you can learn about making films is by making them, by putting your stamp on the thing.

Stephen Frears

To be successful at anything, you need the right to fail, not just occasionally.

Stephen Frears

Audiences aren't fools - their judgement really is important. And the true heroes of films are the investors. They take the risk, after all.

Stephen Frears

As a director, my job is to protect. I protect scripts, actors, cameramen, designers.

Stephen Frears

I'm Jewish; I'm not religious at all, and I wouldn't pretend to know anything about Catholic politics.

Stephen Frears

Truth is quite constricting, in a way. You endlessly see at the start of a film 'This is a true story'.

Stephen Frears

I've always found poverty a source of strength.

Stephen Frears

I remember reading the script for 'Dangerous Liaisons' and thinking that I could quite happily spend the rest of my life watching this film; the story and the writing were so wonderful.

Stephen Frears

I teach film directing, inasmuch as you can. It's not really possible to teach film direction, but I sit there as a sort of testimony of experience and know-how, I suppose.

Stephen Frears

When I go and teach, it sort of opens me up in some way. And when you're open, you're more receptive.

Stephen Frears

I never thought I was very good at developing material. I grew up at the BBC where they sent you scripts.

Stephen Frears

It never crossed my mind to make a film about Muhammad Ali or the Queen or any of them! They just come out of the blue.

Stephen Frears

I have people around me. I have a semi-permanent crew. If I make a film, they just turn up. They don't even invite themselves. They don't ask if they can come - they just turn up!

Stephen Frears

I want my films to get audiences. I am not interested in making them just for myself.

Stephen Frears

There's one thing now that I experience every day when I'm making a film. I get up and think to myself, 'Am I going to be able to do it today?' I figure as long as I have that fear, I'll be alright.

Stephen Frears

I can't write; I don't think I'm even particularly good at telling a writer what's good or what's missing. So, actually having someone who can do that is a godsend.

Stephen Frears

Film schools didn't exist when I was growing up. I learned by working with clever people. Good writers and cinematographers.

Stephen Frears