James Cottle Scriptwriter

10 Movie Quotes That Are Strangely Applicable to Your Life As A Writer

The Shawshank Redemption

“These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them. That's institutionalised.”

When your younger self once yelled at the “industry” for sticking to safe narrative structures and conventions, you’ve now begun to realise that those structures and conventions exist for a reason – to prevent your work from becoming a sloppy, unintelligible mess.

Avengers Assemble

“That’s my secret, Cap... I’m always angry.”

As a writer, you have to transcend the bonds of emotion to fill the headspace of multiple different characters, all with different emotional agendas and belief systems. Also, Hollywood is perpetually half-assing your ideas before you’ve even had chance to do them, and that grinds your gears.

The Lego Movie

“All I’m asking for is total perfection.”

It sometimes feels like a single piece of constructive criticism is an absolute deal-breaker as to whether your script was actually good or not. It’ll never be 100% perfect, like in your head, so please refrain from bringing the entire world to its knees in pursuit of an ideal that you’ll never achieve.

Seven Psychopaths

“Marty, I’ve been reading your movie. Your women characters are awful. None of them have anything to say for themselves. And most of them either get shot or stabbed to death within five minutes. And the ones that don’t will probably later on.”
“Well, it’s a hard world for women. I guess that’s what I’m trying to say.”
“Yeah, it’s a hard world for women, but most of the ones I know can string a sentence together.”

A bit of a cheat, seeing as the movie is about a writer directly, but I think Walken sums up my point well enough.

Citizen Kane

“I suppose he had a private sort of greatness, but he kept it to himself.”

Many of the aspiring writers I’ve had the pleasure of knowing over the years have a certain “way” about them. They seemed quiet and isolated at first, but the more they opened up, the more you could see how they’d go on to great things. Don’t let yourself remain private. Get out there.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

“You see, in this world there’s two kinds of people, my friend – those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.”

It can often feel like your superiors, whether it be an agent, a producer or a mountain-dwelling mentor, hold a gun to your head whilst you tackle the “grind” of writing. Try to mark your status by being the one with the gun (not literally, please), or, alternatively, both have guns.

Titanic

“Gentlemen. It has been a privilege playing with you tonight.”

In those bleak days where you find yourself plagued with self doubt regarding your abilities and career choices, it’s important to remember that you are never alone in this feeling. Every other writer worth their salt has experienced this, and shall continue to support you until the bitter end.

This is Spinal Tap

“This tasteless cover is a good indication of the lack of musical invention within. The musical growth of this band cannot even be charted. They are treading water in a sea of retarded sexuality and bad poetry.”
“That’s just nitpicking, isn’t it?”

With every piece of feedback comes a choice. Either take it to heart and do your absolute utmost to learn from it, or choose to remain blissfully ignorant if the feedback isn’t worth paying attention to. If you’re already a blissfully ignorant person, sadly you’re at an advantage here.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“Don’t tempt me Frodo! I dare not take it. Not even to keep it safe. Understand, Frodo. I would use this ring from a desire to do good... But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine.”

You’ve just experienced the gut-wrenching moment when a fellow writer has told you about an idea they’re mulling over that just so happens to be amazing. You dare not let your heart be corrupted and steal it, no matter how beneficial doing so would appear to be.

Little Miss Sunshine

“You know what? F*** beauty contests. Life is one f***ing beauty contest after another.”

You don’t have to impress anyone with what you do, as long as you’re content with what you’re doing. I would, however, suggest you change that shirt you’re wearing right now.