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Quote by Robert Altman

“I never knew what I wanted, except that it was something I hadn't seen before.”

Quote by Robert Altman

Author

Robert Altman was an American film director known for his unique narrative style and contributions to the art of cinema. His work spanned a wide range of genres, from drama to comedy, from epic to noir, with Altman's films always celebrated for their profound themes and distinctive narrative structures. more

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“I make no apologies for Popeye. Behind M*A*S*H, it's my biggest hit. It got maligned by the critics because it wasn't Superman. It wasn't about special effects and it wasn't made for 14-year-old boys. The majority of films are made for 14-year-old boys; I don't know where they get the eight bucks to get in. It's hush money from the parents.”

Knows Years Made Film Parent Behinds Boys Special Effects Majority Critics Eight Apology Bucks Hush Special Effects Popeye

Author:Robert Altman

“People have asked me throughout the years which directors have influenced me. I don't know their names, because I was mostly influenced when I'd see a film and think, "Man, I want to be sure to never do anything like that." So I never learned their names. It wasn't a matter of copying or emulating somebody I admired. It was getting rid of a lot of stuff.”

People Thinking Knows Men Want Years Matter Film Names Stuff Directors Copying

Author:Robert Altman

“Why should I keep doing things that I've done before?”

Should Done Should I

Author:Robert Altman

“Most of my films I call arena films. I deal with a confined area -- an arena -- and I try to cover every aspect of it.”

Trying Film Deals Areas Aspect Arena Confined

Author:Robert Altman

“I insist that they do what they became actors to do. I want them to create something and not just hit marks and say words. So they all love that because they're playing. It's called playacting. Their contributions are not only welcomed, but are accepted and used.”

Want Used Actors Mark Accepted Contribution

Author:Robert Altman

“We make too much of the good and too much of the bad.”

Author:Robert Altman

“If something works for you, you continue to do it. I did a bunch of pictures for 20th Century Fox when Alan Ladd was over there, but I set the budgets so low that they'd approve and I'd deliver the film. They would have no say in it, which is the kind of arrangement I liked.”

Ifs Kind Film Century Lows Bunch Budgets Arrangements Foxes 20th Century

Author:Robert Altman

“I was scared that no one would hire me. At that time, there was still a stigma attached to it. A big stigma. Actually, I think I was healthier after the operation than some people who have bypass surgery because I was completely cured. But when you mentioned "heart transplant," you got a very negative reaction. It triggered people's imaginations, and not in a good way.”

People Thinking Way Heart Stills Bigs Imagination Negative Scared Reactions Operations Surgery Good Way Stigma Bypass Transplants Heart Transplant Negative Reactions

Author:Robert Altman

“They'll never give me an Oscar. And I sincerely, honestly don't care. I always turn up when I'm nominated and it would be nice to get one, but to win one would be bad luck. It comes with too much expectation. It would be the end.”

Giving Ends Would Be Care Turns Winning Too Much Nice Expectations Give Me Luck Don't Care Honestly Being Nice Oscars Sincerely Bad Luck

Author:Robert Altman

“All of my films deal with the same thing: striving, socially and culturally, to stay alive.”

Film Deals Alive Strive Staying Alive

Book:Robert Altman: Interviews

Source: Robert Altman: Interviews