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I'll get cast occasionally as sort of the jerk version of myself, and I have fun doing that. But it's really better for everyone if I stay behind the camera.
Aaron Sorkin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Sorkin reflects on his preference to create behind the camera rather than being in front of it as a performer.

Aaron Sorkin expresses a self-awareness about his persona, suggesting that while he enjoys playing a certain type of character, he believes that his true contribution lies in his writing and directing. This highlights the importance of knowing one's strengths and choosing the role that best contributes to the collective artistic vision.

Themes

Behind The CameraSelf-AwarenessArtistic ExpressionWritingDirection

In practice

Example use cases

In a filmmakers' panel discussing the best roles for writers.

More from Aaron Sorkin

Any time you get two people in a room who disagree about anything, the time of day, there is a scene to be written. That's what I look for.
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The upside of web-based journalism is that everybody gets a chance. The downside is that everybody gets a chance.
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Decisions are made by those who show up. Don't ever forget that you're a citizen of this world.
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Good writers borrow from other writers. Great writers steal from them outright.
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With 'The Social Network,' I got into it at first because frankly I thought there was a cool courtroom drama to be had with the intellectual properties. And then what further drew me in was that the most extraordinary social networking device ever created was created by the world's most antisocial person. I liked that story.
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Tell me what you think and then tell me what the really smart person in the room who disagrees with you thinks.
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