Get All Access for $5/mo

What Filmmakers Can Teach Entrepreneurs Your favorite filmmakers talk about the blood, sweat and tears of creating.

By Linda Lacina

17272dorsetave.tumblr.com

Making a film, like running a business, is a collaborative process. The greats have vision but also the smarts and the guts to get those around them to help improve it. In this new book, The Filmmaker Says: Quotes, Quips and Words of Wisdom (Princeton Architectural Press, 2013), writer Jamie Thompson Stern compiles thoughts from famous directors about inspiration, instinct and bringing a big idea into the world. We've pulled out our favorites in this slideshow.

The Filmmaker Says, Princeton Architectural Press

Julie Taymor

Julie Taymor on vision.

The Filmmaker Says, Princeton Architectural Press

James Ivory

What Filmmakers Can Teach Entrepreneurs
Image credit: fiaf.org

James Ivory on instinct.

The Filmmaker Says, Princeton Architectural Press

Orson Welles

What Filmmakers Can Teach Entrepreneurs
Image credit: thefilmchair.com

Orson Welles on the power of ignorance.

The Filmmaker Says, Princeton Architectural Press

Danny Boyle

What Filmmakers Can Teach Entrepreneurs
Image credit: forafewmoviesmore.com

Danny Boyle on the rush of discovery.

The Filmmaker Says, Princeton Architectural Press

Jane Campion

What Filmmakers Can Teach Entrepreneurs
Image credit: festival-cannes.com

Jane Campion on blazing your own trail.

The Filmmaker Says, Princeton Architectural Press

Jonathan Demme

What Filmmakers Can Teach Entrepreneurs
Image credit: releasedonkey.com

Jonathan Demm on learning by doing.

The Filmmaker Says, Princeton Architectural Press

Quentin Tarantino

What Filmmakers Can Teach Entrepreneurs
Image credit: Levon Biss

Quentin Tarantino on risk.

The Filmmaker Says, Princeton Architectural Press

Sam Mendes

What Filmmakers Can Teach Entrepreneurs
Image credit: filmschoolrejects.com

Sam Mendes on opportunity.

The Filmmaker Says, Princeton Architectural Press

Tony Scott

What Filmmakers Can Teach Entrepreneurs
Image credit: ALPHA

Tony Scott on imitation.

Linda Lacina

Entrepreneur Staff

Linda Lacina is a special projects director at Entrepreneur.com. Her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Smart Money, Dow Jones MarketWatch and Family Circle. Email her at llacina@entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Fundraising

Working Remote? These Are the Biggest Dos and Don'ts of Video Conferencing

As more and more businesses go remote, these are ways to be more effective and efficient on conference calls.

Growing a Business

The Best Way to Run a Business Meeting

All too often, meetings run longer than they should and fail to keep attendees engaged. Here's how to run a meeting the right way.

Starting a Business

How to Find the Right Programmers: A Brief Guideline for Startup Founders

For startup founders under a plethora of challenges like timing, investors and changing market demand, it is extremely hard to hire programmers who can deliver.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Growing a Business

You Need an Advisory Team More Than Ever. Here's Why — and How to Run One Effectively.

The right advice, particularly in a company's early stages, can be an existential matter: how to surround yourself with the right minds.

Growing a Business

You'll Never Satisfy Your Customers — or Grow Your Business — Without Doing These 3 Things

Customer feedback can be used to drive sustainable growth. Here are three approaches to how you can move past measurement to drive improvement and ultimately grow your business.