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As far as the filmmaking process is concerned, stars are essentially worthless - and absolutely essential.
William Goldman
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Interpretation

What this quote means

In filmmaking, while stars may seem unimportant, they are actually key to the success of a project.

William Goldman's quote reflects the paradox of stars in the filmmaking industry. On one hand, the star power can overshadow other aspects of film production, making it seem like they are not crucial to the storytelling process; on the other hand, their presence and draw can be critical in attracting an audience and securing funding, thereby making them absolutely essential for a film’s success.

Themes

FilmmakingStarsImportanceProcessStorytelling

In practice

Example use cases

During a film workshop, one might quote Goldman to highlight the importance of both talent and teamwork.

More from William Goldman

The easiest thing to do on earth is not write.
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Writing is finally about one thing: going into a room alone and doing it, putting words on paper that have never been there in quite that way before.
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Chapter One. The Bride." He held up the book then. "I'm reading it to you for relax." He practically shoved the book in my face. "By S. Morgenstern. Great Florinese writer. The Princess Bride. He too came to America. S. Morgenstern. Dead now in New York. The English is his own. He spoke eight tongues." Here my father put down the book and held up all his fingers. "Eight. Once in Florin City...
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Her heart was a secret garden and the walls were very high.
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Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while.
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Everyone had told her, since she became a princess-in-training, that she was very likely the most beautiful woman in the world. Now she was going to be the richest and the most powerful as well. Don't expect too much from life, Buttercup told herself as she rode along. Learn to be satisfied with what you have.
William GoldmanRead

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