Making a film is an incredibly complex process that requires the efforts of many talented people. It’s also an expensive endeavor, which is why it’s so important for filmmakers to get things right the first time around. In order to make sure your film is as successful as possible, it’s helpful to be aware of the thoughts and advice of experienced filmmakers. Here are some inspiring quotes from some of the best in the business.

The best filmmaking quotes

1. You can only be yourself, and it sounds cheesy, but when it comes to filmmaking, there’s really nowhere to hide. — Ryan Gosling

2. Filmmaking is all about what we like to do on–screen. We have attempted that in the film. I have worked very hard to perform the character. — Sushant Singh Rajput

3. Filmmaking for me is always aiming for the imaginary movie and never achieving it. — Peter Jackson

4. I would like to find a way to embrace what Led Zeppelin did, in filmmaking. — Nicolas Cage

5. As far as art and filmmaking is concerned, I don’t see there’s any separation; it’s just one continuous thing. — Steve Mcqueen

6. It’s good filmmaking when you don’t have to say anything and you can still tell the story. — Shia Labeouf

7. Filmmaking for me is always aiming for the imaginary movie and never achieving it. — Peter Jackson

8. There is a great tradition of independent filmmaking in the U.S. that I absolutely respect. There’s some wonderful stuff that comes out in this country against all the odds. — Mike Leigh

9. As far as art and filmmaking is concerned, I don’t see there’s any separation; it’s just one continuous thing. — Steve Mcqueen

10. Howard Hughes was this visionary who was obsessed with speed and flying like a god… I loved his idea of what filmmaking was. — Martin Scorsese

11. My filmmaking really began with technology. It began through technology, not through telling stories, because my 8mm movie camera was the way into whatever I decided to do. — Steven Spielberg

12. I think the worst that can happen in filmmaking is if you’re working with a storyboard. That kills all intuition, all fantasy, all creativity. — Werner Herzog

13. Filmmaking is a chance to live many lifetimes. — Robert Altman

14. Technology continues to bring us wondrous advances in filmmaking to improve how we view movies. — Ridley Scott

15. Technology continues to bring us wondrous advances in filmmaking to improve how we view movies. — Ridley Scott

16. In the end, you really want to make the best film that you can, and in the reality of the filmmaking world, you have things like budgets. — Nicholas Sparks

17. If you take a regular animated film, that’s being done by animators on computers, so the filmmaking is a fairly technical process. — Peter Jackson

18. The function of camera movement is to assist the storytelling. That’s all it is. It cannot be there just to demonstrate itself. — Mike Figgis, Digital Filmmaking

19. If you take a regular animated film, that’s being done by animators on computers, so the filmmaking is a fairly technical process. — Peter Jackson

20. Hollywood is still the mecca for good or bad, but it isn’t the beginning or end for filmmaking. — Robert Duvall

21. As far as art and filmmaking is concerned, I don’t see there’s any separation; it’s just one continuous thing. — Steve Mcqueen

22. Filmmaking is akin to writing on water. — Val Lewton

23. Hollywood is still the mecca for good or bad, but it isn’t the beginning or end for filmmaking. — Robert Duvall

24. I’ve been lucky to work with some of the most creative people and it’s true that I enjoy filmmaking and I’m an enthusiast. — Nicolas Cage

25. You can only be yourself, and it sounds cheesy, but when it comes to filmmaking, there’s really nowhere to hide. — Ryan Gosling

26. I’ve learned a great deal about a certain type of filmmaking. But I have ambitions toward another type of filmmaking that I haven’t been allowed to engage in yet. — Shia Labeouf

27. Filmmaking can be a fine art. — Terri Windling

28. I’ve learned a great deal about a certain type of filmmaking. But I have ambitions toward another type of filmmaking that I haven’t been allowed to engage in yet. — Shia Labeouf

29. The idea of working with Steven Spielberg was very attractive. He’s such a master. He knows the language of the camera and of filmmaking, which gives him a great freedom. — Max Von Sydow

30. I think the worst that can happen in filmmaking is if you’re working with a storyboard. That kills all intuition, all fantasy, all creativity. — Werner Herzog

31. Filmmaking is all about what we like to do on–screen. We have attempted that in the film. I have worked very hard to perform the character. — Sushant Singh Rajput

32. In the end, you really want to make the best film that you can, and in the reality of the filmmaking world, you have things like budgets. — Nicholas Sparks

33. The idea of working with Steven Spielberg was very attractive. He’s such a master. He knows the language of the camera and of filmmaking, which gives him a great freedom. — Max Von Sydow

34. Filmmaking is all about what we like to do on–screen. We have attempted that in the film. I have worked very hard to perform the character. — Sushant Singh Rajput

35. Independent filmmaking has always been there and it’s not to be forgotten. — Mike Leigh

36. The most honest form of filmmaking is to make a film for yourself. — Peter Jackson

37. As far as art and filmmaking is concerned, I don’t see there’s any separation; it’s just one continuous thing. — Steve Mcqueen

38. As far as art and filmmaking is concerned, I don’t see there’s any separation; it’s just one continuous thing. — Steve Mcqueen

39. Filmmaking can be a fine art. — Terri Windling

40. Independent filmmaking has always been there and it’s not to be forgotten. — Mike Leigh

41. The thing about filmmaking is i give it everything, that’s why i work so hard. i always tell young actors to take charge. it’s not that hard. sign your own checks, be responsible. — Tom Cruise

42. There is a great tradition of independent filmmaking in the U.S. that I absolutely respect. There’s some wonderful stuff that comes out in this country against all the odds. — Mike Leigh

43. I think everything that you do, you’re learning. I mean, every movie that you make is like a film school; that’s one of the things that I enjoy about filmmaking. — Peter Jackson

44. As far as art and filmmaking is concerned, I don’t see there’s any separation; it’s just one continuous thing. — Steve Mcqueen

45. Filmmaking is akin to writing on water. — Val Lewton

46. Filmmaking is the ultimate team sport. — Michael Keaton

47. In the end, you really want to make the best film that you can, and in the reality of the filmmaking world, you have things like budgets. — Nicholas Sparks

48. Filmmaking is akin to writing on water. — Val Lewton

49. Filmmaking is the ultimate team sport. — Michael Keaton

50. I always want another actor to shine in my scene because it makes the film stronger. I would encourage people to scene steal, because filmmaking is a collaborative effort. — Vin Diesel

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our list of the best quotes about filmmaking. Filmmaking is an art form like no other and the passion behind it is something that can truly inspire. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned veteran, these quotes can help you to stay focused and motivated. Keep creating, keep sharing, and always remember what the greats said about the craft of filmmaking.