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Dean Devlin Quotes

Powerful Dean Devlin for Daily Growth

About Dean Devlin

Dean Devlin, born on September 25, 1963, in New York City, is an acclaimed American filmmaker who has made significant contributions to the world of cinema as a screenwriter, producer, and director. Growing up in a family with strong Jewish roots, he developed a passion for storytelling at an early age, inspired by classic films and comic books. Devlin began his career in Hollywood as a production assistant before moving on to work as a script coordinator and then a writer. His big break came when he co-wrote the screenplay for "Stargate" (1994), a science fiction adventure film directed by Roland Emmerich, which became an international blockbuster success. The movie not only showcased Devlin's talent for crafting engaging narratives but also established his successful collaboration with Emmerich. Following the success of "Stargate," Devlin and Emmerich teamed up again to create another box-office hit, "Independence Day" (1996), a landmark film in the disaster-action genre that remains a cult classic today. After parting ways with Emmerich, Devlin continued to produce and direct films like "Godzilla" (1998) and "The Patriot" (2000). In addition to his work in filmmaking, Devlin is also known for his philanthropic efforts and dedication to environmental causes. He serves as the board chairman of the California-based nonprofit organization, the Natural Resources Defense Council. Devlin's impact on cinema and popular culture cannot be overstated, with his creative works continuing to inspire new generations of storytellers.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The greatest enemy of any idea is another idea."

This quote by Dean Devlin highlights the human tendency to reject new ideas or solutions when they come into conflict with existing ones, even if the new idea might be superior or more effective. It suggests that our preconceived notions and established ways of thinking can often hinder progress and innovation, as we tend to favor familiar ideas over novel ones, even when the former may no longer serve us well. In essence, the quote underscores the importance of being open-minded and receptive to new ideas in order to foster growth and progress.

"Never make your hero a victim, unless you're going to turn him into a victor."

This quote suggests that in storytelling or character development, it's important not to keep the protagonist (the hero) in a state of constant victimhood, as it can be unsatisfying for audiences. Instead, if you make your hero suffer initially (making them a victim), it should serve as a catalyst for their transformation into a victor – someone who overcomes adversity and triumphs, providing a more satisfying and engaging narrative arc.

"Story is king, but visuals are the queen that keeps the king happy."

This quote emphasizes the crucial roles of both storytelling (the "king") and visual representation (the "queen") in creating compelling content. The story provides the backbone, the essence - the meaning, the heart - without which, the work lacks purpose or direction. However, it is the visuals that capture attention, evoke emotions, and make the story engaging and memorable. So, a great story needs powerful visuals to truly thrive and captivate an audience.

"Fear is a powerful tool. It keeps us alive and aware of our surroundings."

Dean Devlin's quote underscores the essential role of fear in human survival, suggesting that it serves as both a protective mechanism and an alert system to ensure our awareness and safety. Fear helps us perceive potential dangers and respond appropriately, contributing significantly to our survival and overall well-being.

"Action movies are like a rollercoaster ride; they should take you up, bring you to the brink of fear, and then plunge you back down again."

The quote emphasizes that action movies should provide an exhilarating experience, akin to a rollercoaster ride. It suggests that these films should create a sense of anticipation by building tension (taking the audience "up"), followed by moments of intense fear or suspense ("bringing them to the brink of fear"), and ultimately releasing that tension with a thrilling resolution ("then plunge you back down again"). This dynamic structure is intended to keep viewers engaged and emotionally invested in the story.

The great thing about adventure, when told correctly, is it is one of the few genres that everybody in the family can watch together.

- Dean Devlin

Great, Everybody, About, Correctly

The budget on cable television is dramatically less than network television.

- Dean Devlin

Television, Than, Network Television

In tough times, we all hope for knights in shining armor, or the cavalry, to show up and effect change.

- Dean Devlin

Change, Show, Knights, Shining

There was no studio involved when we made 'Stargate.' It was financed through Le Studio Canal+ in France and, after the film was finished, it was sold to MGM. When the film was a success, MGM decided to do a television series based on the movie.

- Dean Devlin

Through, Studio, Sold, MGM

We did the original 'Stargate' as an independent movie. It was a surprise success. Shortly before the movie came out, the financiers who were frightened the movie might not do well sold the film to MGM. When the film came out, it was a hit and spawned TV shows.

- Dean Devlin

Independent, TV, Spawned, MGM

We're going to come back to Oregon, whether it's with another show, or a pilot, or a movie. We love working up there. I think it's got one of the most amazing talent pools of any state in the union.

- Dean Devlin

Love, Movie, I Think, Pools

We took over with 'Leverage' three warehouses, and now four with 'The Librarians,' and turned them into proper sound stages with sound doors and all the lights. We now have control of four real, proper-sized sound stages. The problem is they're dark and empty half of the year because there aren't enough productions coming into Oregon.

- Dean Devlin

Leverage, Half, Turned, Stages

'Librarians' is surprisingly touching in a lot of ways where it's not expected.

- Dean Devlin

Touching, Ways, Lot, Surprisingly

Portland has all the accoutrements of a big city, but the heart and soul of it is a small town, so that creates an intimacy in a large environment.

- Dean Devlin

Small, Big, Town, Portland

There are amazing behind-the-scenes technicians in Portland who didn't want to raise their families in L.A.

- Dean Devlin

Amazing, Want, Technicians, Portland

Portland is a two-hour flight from L.A. It has wonderful talent, and it hasn't been shot to death. I'm all in favor of it becoming a serious player in the industry.

- Dean Devlin

Flight, Been, Becoming, Portland

In Portland, there are so many trained artists and technicians, there's an enormous talent base. And it's not like second-stringers.

- Dean Devlin

Like, Trained, Technicians, Portland

I always wish I had another shot at it. But, listen, 'Godzilla' is something that I grew up loving. We worked hard to go make one. We kind of blew it. I think everyone gets one.

- Dean Devlin

Think, Always, I Think, Blew

The Titanic hit the iceberg not because they could not see it coming but because they could not change direction.

- Dean Devlin

See, Hit, Titanic, Iceberg

I think if we did 'Stargate' right, the fans would like it, and we could do something really good. But if we screw it up, they'll reject it. As they should.

- Dean Devlin

Think, Like, I Think, Screw

Paramount Pictures is a perfect partner for Electric Entertainment, with the most stable group of executives in Hollywood and unparalleled global promotion and distribution reach.

- Dean Devlin

Hollywood, Executives, Group

I don't think of myself as a former actor. I think of myself as a reformed actor.

- Dean Devlin

Think, Actor, I Think, Reformed

We're often accused of trying to manipulate opinion or that we're trying to elevate society. I think that the greatest thing we can do is to give you a vacation.

- Dean Devlin

Think, Give, I Think, Vacation

We are cannibalizing our audience by only giving them regurgitated material. Every movie is either a remake, a sequel, based on something else. Based on a former television series. Based on a successful videogame.

- Dean Devlin

Audience, Movie, Based, Remake

Of all the projects I've ever done, 'Stargate' is the only one from the beginning intended to be a trilogy. We always wanted to do parts two and three, but the thinking was they didn't want to do anything other than the TV series.

- Dean Devlin

Other, Projects, TV, Trilogy

The advantage of the Genesis is that it's a rock-solid camera, made by a company with an enormous history and a huge support base. Plus, it's very good in low light using all the Panavision lenses. The downside is that you're recording on tape.

- Dean Devlin

Good, Very, Recording, Genesis

Kurt Russell is the guy you know. He's not something out of a weight-lifting magazine or a cartoon character. The closest thing to him would have been Steve McQueen.

- Dean Devlin

Cartoon, Been, Closest Thing, Closest

When I tried to get 'Stargate' made, I took it to every studio in Hollywood and every studio said, 'Sci-fi is dead. It's a dead genre. No one wants to see science fiction anymore.' And I had to go and raise the money independently to make that movie.

- Dean Devlin

Hollywood, Movie, Studio, Science Fiction

I don't think you can figure this stuff out. If you could figure all this stuff out, then all the great filmmakers would come out of Yale and Harvard. It's not an intellectual process.

- Dean Devlin

Process, Think, Figure, Yale

Television is like speed chess, as you have no time and no money. It is like trying to play Grandmaster chess with a 20 minute timer. The rewards are great, though, as it moves faster and you get to see the finished results much quicker.

- Dean Devlin

Speed, Play, No Time, Timer

We have to produce a high-quality show, but we have less and less time and money to do it. If you are using the tapeless approach to save money, you will.

- Dean Devlin

Will, Using, High-Quality, Time And Money

The truth is, we were sick of, every time we finished a movie, having to start all over again from nothing, going to a studio, pitching an idea, setting up a new office.

- Dean Devlin

New, Over, Studio, Every Time

I think when real life interrupts fantasy, it's always shocking.

- Dean Devlin

Think, Always, I Think, Shocking

In the '70s, you didn't know who was going to survive in a disaster film.

- Dean Devlin

Know, Survive, Going, To Survive

It was somewhere in doing the last season of 'Leverage' that John Rogers and I became confident that we had developed an all-new production technique where we could put more on the screen with very little money. So we started to get more comfortable with the idea of trying to tackle 'The Librarians.'

- Dean Devlin

Leverage, Very, Became, Season

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