I figured, 'When is that ever going to happen again?'. So I basically set out the opposite way movies are made; I set out with a budget first. I said, 'What can I do well for $40,000?'.

Quote by John Sayles

Topics: John Sayles Quotes

I remember being out here at the Sunset Marquis, and whoever knocked on the door,...

I remember being out here at the Sunset Marquis, and whoever knocked on the door,...

The media in America has become so cowed and compromised.

The media in America has become so cowed and compromised.

There were not fifteen people in the story department and twenty-five producers and stuff. And...

There were not fifteen people in the story department and twenty-five producers and stuff. And...

I always feel that there are no final victories and no final defeats. But it's...

I always feel that there are no final victories and no final defeats. But it's...

Basically, if you could get a good trailer out of the script, Roger had no...

Basically, if you could get a good trailer out of the script, Roger had no...

My argument has always been that this is not an anti-Bush film, it's a pro-democracy...

My argument has always been that this is not an anti-Bush film, it's a pro-democracy...

The hardest thing about movie acting is that if you're playing a character who changes...

The hardest thing about movie acting is that if you're playing a character who changes...

Michael Moore, whether you like him or hate him, has done something very important.

Michael Moore, whether you like him or hate him, has done something very important.

I think I got spoiled and that writing a short story and getting it published,...

I think I got spoiled and that writing a short story and getting it published,...

I never thought about being a writer as I grew up. A writer wasn't something...

I never thought about being a writer as I grew up. A writer wasn't something...

I take more jobs when I need more money, if I'm investing in films. I...

I take more jobs when I need more money, if I'm investing in films. I...

I certainly grew up seeing more movies and television than I read books, but when...

I certainly grew up seeing more movies and television than I read books, but when...

There was a widespread indignation in the American media. They were saying, 'How can you...

There was a widespread indignation in the American media. They were saying, 'How can you...

I like to act. I work for scale. I don't have an acting agent. I'm...

I like to act. I work for scale. I don't have an acting agent. I'm...

In a movie you have all these logistical problems; all these practical problems. But you're...

In a movie you have all these logistical problems; all these practical problems. But you're...

Not that I've always loved the movie when they finally come out, or if they...

Not that I've always loved the movie when they finally come out, or if they...

Those are fun, especially if they're going to shoot them in four weeks, because you...

Those are fun, especially if they're going to shoot them in four weeks, because you...

You get to say, 'Here's my philosophical idea about what the costume should like,' and...

You get to say, 'Here's my philosophical idea about what the costume should like,' and...

Fahrenheit 9/11 took public domain information that should have been on the news every night...

Fahrenheit 9/11 took public domain information that should have been on the news every night...

To this day, I get rewrite offers where they say: 'We feel this script needs...

To this day, I get rewrite offers where they say: 'We feel this script needs...