"I made over forty Westerns. I used to lie awake nights trying to think up new ways of getting on and off a horse"
- William Wyler
About this Quote
The quote from William Wyler highlights a distinct element of filmmaking, especially in the Western genre, which was immensely popular during the early to mid-20th century. In the beginning glance, it humorously discuss the imaginative challenges faced by directors in a period when Westerns were prolific in Hollywood. Making over forty films in the very same genre would naturally cause repeating, and Wyler's quote reflects the struggle to discover novelty in an environment where the thematic and visual aspects could quickly become redundant.
Wyler's remark about "lying awake nights attempting to think up new methods of getting on and off a horse" is an allegory for the broader difficulty of innovation within restraints. In the Western genre, horses are not just a mode of transport but an integral part of the story and the character's identity. How a star mounts or dismounts a horse might convey numerous elements of their character's character, abilities, and feelings. Wyler's focus on this relatively mundane job suggests his commitment to the craft and his awareness of the audience's prospective tiredness. Finding unique methods to present such a regular action pointed to his desire to maintain engagement by inserting creativity into every possible moment.
Moreover, the quote highlights the careful attention to information that contributes to the craft of storytelling. Even in a category typically thought about formulaic, Wyler aimed to bring fresh point of views to his work, suggesting a respect for his audience's intelligence and expectations. It shows the nuanced artistry behind directing-- where development typically lies in subtle, nearly imperceptible options that cumulatively improve the seeing experience.
In essence, Wyler's quote is a testimony to the broader challenges of filmmaking: stabilizing genre conventions with originality, while always looking for to push innovative boundaries, even within the restrictions of relatively ubiquitous aspects like mounting a horse in a Western film.
This quote is written / told by William Wyler between July 1, 1902 and July 27, 1981. He was a famous Director from USA.
The author also have 4 other quotes.
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time"
