Cinematic Conventions Quotes

Maybe because All About Steve is about offbeat people, viewers don't want them to be heroes. There is something archetypal in us that we like a leading lady, we like a leading man, and we like people with my features to get killed. Maybe that's why the reviews were so severe - because good Lord, I've seen much worse films!

In Hollywood, more often than not, they're making more kind of traditional films, stories that are understood by people. And the entire story is understood. And they become worried if even for one small moment something happens that is not understood by everyone.

I think often in film we limit our imaginations a little - well, quite a lot, actually... things get quite formulaic.

A funny thing about film is that it's the only medium where people say there are really rules that you have to stick to. Nobody says to the writer - in a film you've got to have three acts - there's a character arc you have to do - there's no reason that's true.

In science-fiction films the monster should always be bigger than the leading lady.

Kubrick showed us something special. Every film was a challenge, and a direct assault on cinema's conventions.

I always try to do true endings and that's where I got into trouble always because Hollywood wants to do happy endings.