You have to examine a scene on the page first. Then you get into the basics of acting: Who are you? Who are you talking to? How do you feel about that person?

Quote by Debbie Allen

Topics: Debbie Allen Quotes

The clothes back in those days were made so much better than clothes are today....

The clothes back in those days were made so much better than clothes are today....

Making this movie was a great opportunity for me to explore high-definition. I'm glad I...

Making this movie was a great opportunity for me to explore high-definition. I'm glad I...

It's kind of dangerous to cut in the camera, but that's the only way I...

It's kind of dangerous to cut in the camera, but that's the only way I...

The biggest challenge was that we had to shoot so quickly and with such a...

The biggest challenge was that we had to shoot so quickly and with such a...

I'm always moving forward.

I'm always moving forward.

I got my dailies every day, although I couldn't always look at them because I...

I got my dailies every day, although I couldn't always look at them because I...

That's the only way I can control my movie. If you shoot everything, then everything...

That's the only way I can control my movie. If you shoot everything, then everything...

The production team's first meeting took place at my house. I had ideas and a...

The production team's first meeting took place at my house. I had ideas and a...

In scoring we have a lot that was not evident in the shooting. The radio...

In scoring we have a lot that was not evident in the shooting. The radio...

But out of limitations comes creativity.

But out of limitations comes creativity.

It goes back to a style of moviemaking I remember seeing as a child, in...

It goes back to a style of moviemaking I remember seeing as a child, in...

As far as pacing the shoot is concerned, I know when I've got it. I...

As far as pacing the shoot is concerned, I know when I've got it. I...

I design my shots. I walk the rehearsal as the camera and say 'this is...

I design my shots. I walk the rehearsal as the camera and say 'this is...

I didn't need the insurance. I do it again if my DP tells me it...

I didn't need the insurance. I do it again if my DP tells me it...

But it was not possible to do this movie, in this matter of time, without...

But it was not possible to do this movie, in this matter of time, without...

I use something that is a real staple in the directing world. It's called a...

I use something that is a real staple in the directing world. It's called a...

Time management is a big part of the director's job.

Time management is a big part of the director's job.

Even when you have a big budget, you can't just shoot everything.

Even when you have a big budget, you can't just shoot everything.

The budget evolved from a management tool into an obstacle to management.

The budget evolved from a management tool into an obstacle to management.

A billion here, a billion there...sooner or later it adds up to real money

A billion here, a billion there...sooner or later it adds up to real money