When I was really young I didn't know that there was such a thing as a screenwriter. I wrote stories.

Quote by John Sayles

Topics: John Sayles Quotes

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...

For me the writing, when I'm going to direct it myself, is really just the...

For me the writing, when I'm going to direct it myself, is really just the...

I made it about a three-day weekend so people wouldn't have to change their clothes...

I made it about a three-day weekend so people wouldn't have to change their clothes...

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...

But compared to writing a novel, where you can be God, I did the Bay...

But compared to writing a novel, where you can be God, I did the Bay...

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...

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...

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...

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've always felt like I was on the margins. Once upon a time that's what...

I've always felt like I was on the margins. Once upon a time that's what...

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 probably wouldn't have done as many as I did in one year, which I...

I probably wouldn't have done as many as I did in one year, which I...

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...

Well, acting is cheap; I knew all these actors who weren't in the Screen Actors...

Well, acting is cheap; I knew all these actors who weren't in the Screen Actors...

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 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 figured, 'When is that ever going to happen again?'. So I basically set out...

I figured, 'When is that ever going to happen again?'. So I basically set out...

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 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,...