Peter Bart Quotes

Powerful Peter Bart for Daily Growth

About Peter Bart

Peter Bart, a renowned figure in the realm of American journalism and entertainment, was born on June 9, 1938, in New York City. Raised in the Bronx by his immigrant parents from Lithuania, Bart's interest in movies and storytelling was sparked early, influenced significantly by his father, a tailor who owned a movie theater in their neighborhood. Bart graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in English Literature before serving in the U.S. Army. Upon returning, he began his career at Variety Magazine as a film editor, eventually rising to become Editor-in-Chief. Under his leadership, Variety expanded its scope and influence, becoming a leading source for entertainment news worldwide. In 1981, Bart moved to Hollywood and joined Warner Bros. Studios as President of Production. Here, he oversaw the production of blockbuster films such as "The Big Chill," "Platoon," and "Batman." He also developed the popular TV show "Falcon Crest." In 1986, Bart left Warner Bros. to create his own production company, Bart-Silverman Productions. In 1992, Bart returned to journalism as Editor of Daily Variety and later served as Executive Vice President of Creative Affairs at NBC Universal. He is currently the Founding Editor of Variety's VRBOOKS and a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and Deadline Hollywood. Throughout his career, Bart has been honored with numerous awards, including the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for his contributions to television journalism. His book, "The Grosses: A Hollywood Memoir," published in 2013, offers a captivating look into his life and experiences in the entertainment industry.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Storytelling is the most powerful when it's real."

This quote underscores the importance of authenticity in storytelling. In essence, it suggests that tales which resonate deeply with an audience are those grounded in truth, experience, or genuine emotion. By crafting stories that reflect reality, creators can foster a stronger connection with their audience and evoke more profound reactions.


"The audience decides whether a film is good or not."

This quote suggests that ultimately, it is the viewers who determine the quality of a movie. While critics, directors, and actors may have their opinions about a film's merit, the true measure of its success lies in how it resonates with the audience. A well-received film can create a shared experience among viewers, fostering conversation and connection. In this sense, the power to make or break a movie rests with those who choose to watch it, thus making them an essential part of the cinematic process.


"In Hollywood, you either swim or sink."

The quote "In Hollywood, you either swim or sink" suggests that in the competitive world of the entertainment industry, one must succeed (swim) or fail (sink). It implies a high-stakes environment where survival requires talent, perseverance, adaptability, and often, a touch of luck. The quote underscores the intense pressure to make it big in Hollywood and the potential consequences for those who cannot keep up with the demands of this fast-paced industry.


"Everybody wants to make a great movie. Few people actually do it."

This quote by Peter Bart emphasizes that while many aspire to create exceptional cinema, only a small number of individuals successfully achieve this goal due to the inherent challenges and complexities involved in the creative process. It serves as a reminder that despite the abundance of ambition in the film industry, true greatness is rare and highly valued.


"The key to success in any creative field is having a clear vision and the persistence to stick with it."

This quote emphasizes that having a clear, defined vision for your work or project in a creative field is crucial to achieving success. Persistence refers to the determination and resilience needed to consistently follow through on this vision despite potential obstacles, criticism, or setbacks. The combination of a clear vision and persistence fosters a strong foundation for success, enabling an individual to stay focused, adapt when necessary, and ultimately achieve their creative goals.


Substantially fewer films will be produced over the next year or two. And a significant portion of the production costs of the reduced slate will be borne by hedge funds and other investment groups.

- Peter Bart

Next, Over, Films, Funds

It really hasn't been demonstrated at any level by any major corporation that it can nurture what is euphemistically called creativity.

- Peter Bart

Level, Been, Major, Nurture

Study the public behavior of top stars and you can detect a keen attentiveness to brand value.

- Peter Bart

Study, Public, Keen, Brand

Hollywood is going to have to find a way of meeting those profit goals.

- Peter Bart

Find, Hollywood, Going, Profit

The model today is that as much as 70 percent of the financing of the picture would come from overseas. Now we're beginning to run out of suckers, because there are not that many people overseas who are willing to put up more than half the money for a movie.

- Peter Bart

Beginning, Movie, Half, Financing

One of Brando's problems is that he can't have a conversation with anyone.

- Peter Bart

Conversation, He, Anyone, Brando

That's how you get surprises, because what movies are all about is surprises.

- Peter Bart

Movies, How, Get, Surprises

It's only in relatively recent years that Hollywood became the playground of multinational corporations which regard movies and TV shows as a minor irritant to their overall activity.

- Peter Bart

TV, Which, Became, Multinational

The biggest danger of Hollywood becoming a purely corporate town resides in the creative process.

- Peter Bart

Process, Hollywood, Purely, Creative Process

Historically, filmmakers always fall in love with every frame, but now that even neophytes are given final cut, this love affair carries with it serious economic implications.

- Peter Bart

Love, Always, Given, Frame

Though gay lifestyles have certainly moved into the open, there's little evidence that society has become more open in its basic attitudes or that entertainers should feel cozy in emerging from the velvet underground.

- Peter Bart

Entertainers, Certainly, Lifestyles

Analyses of the movie marketplace points to an interesting phenomenon: High-profile movies are continuing to do well year-to-year in the U.S. and overseas - this past summer, for example, the top 10 movies registered at the same level as in '04.

- Peter Bart

Movie, Registered, Same Level

The green-light meeting, when I first started at Paramount, would consist of maybe three or four of us in a room. Perhaps two or three of us would have read the script under discussion.

- Peter Bart

Maybe, Read, Green-Light, Consist

A green-light meeting is when the decision is made finally whether or not to make a given picture.

- Peter Bart

Decision, Made, Given, Green-Light

The green-light decision process today consists of maybe of 30 or 40 people.

- Peter Bart

Decision, Process, Maybe, Green-Light

I wasn't hanging around the movie theaters in New York where I grew up, a Manhattan brat.

- Peter Bart

New, Movie, Manhattan, Theaters

Michael Eisner let it be known last week that he had no intention of leaving the entertainment business once he steps down as CEO of Disney in October.

- Peter Bart

Business, Week, Last, Disney

The major media companies are significantly reducing their financial commitment to the motion picture sector.

- Peter Bart

Financial, Media, Motion, Reducing

Most movie-goers are overdosing on star coverage; it's the ultimate example of too much information.

- Peter Bart

Too Much, Star, Ultimate, Coverage

We're going to see a very, very commercial kind of picture-making.

- Peter Bart

See, Going, Very, Commercial

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