I often find in the film world, that it's very self-referring. If you talk to someone about films, they talk about them in terms of other films - rather than as something that happened to them in their life. And I'm really keen to get back to film as a reference to real things, not necessarily to other films.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of relating films to real-life experiences rather than just referencing other films.
In this quote, Steven Knight reflects on the tendency of filmmakers and critics to discuss cinema through the lens of other films, suggesting that this approach distances the medium from genuine human experiences. He advocates for a return to storytelling that draws upon real-life events and emotions, highlighting the power of film to reflect authentic life rather than being confined by its own industry narratives.
In practice
Use this quote in a discussion about the importance of authentic storytelling in films.
Making a film is hard because you're not dealing with the intangible. When you're writing, it's perfect because it's only in your head and then you have to take it into the physical world and that's where things drop off and things fall apart and you have to fix them.
The whole process of filmmaking can be chaotic, but if you can have an enthusiastic cast, you're pretty much there.
Football games are on TV, and it doesn't affect stadium attendance at all. It's the same with movies. People who really love movies and like to go out on a Saturday night will go to the movie theater.
I'm not a teacher; I'm not a historian. I'm trying to create a world for my characters.
Art is uncompromising, and life is full of compromises.
I'm an actor, not a star. Stars are people who live in Hollywood and have heart-shaped swimming pools.
Playing and listening to music gives you a sense of fulfilment because you have to put everything in you at its disposal.
Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him.
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