"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."
This quote by Steve James emphasizes that genuine passion and love for one's work are essential for achieving greatness. It suggests that when you genuinely enjoy what you're doing, you'll be more motivated, committed, and dedicated to putting in the effort required to excel. In essence, it implies that meaningful work and fulfillment stem from pursuing passions, rather than just focusing on the outcome or recognition.
"If it's not scary, it's not worth doing."
This quote by Steve James suggests that taking on challenges or pursuing significant endeavors often requires stepping outside one's comfort zone. The "scary" elements in life can represent uncertainty, risk, and the unknown—all of which are common when facing meaningful challenges. Therefore, if an activity is not intimidating or challenging, it might not hold the potential for substantial personal growth or impact. Embracing fear and pushing beyond our limits can lead to self-discovery, improvement, and the attainment of worthwhile goals.
"Don't chase love, but nurture it."
The quote emphasizes that instead of actively pursuing or chasing after love as if it were a fleeting opportunity or goal to be grasped, one should invest time and effort into nourishing and cultivating the love that already exists within relationships. This approach encourages patience, understanding, and growth, implying a focus on building strong foundations for love rather than simply trying to capture it.
"Life is about the choices we make, and every choice has a consequence."
This quote emphasizes that life is a series of decisions, and each decision carries a consequence. It underscores personal responsibility and accountability for our actions. By making conscious choices, we shape our own destiny and experiences in life. The power lies in understanding that we control our choices, and therefore, the course of our lives.
"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."
The quote suggests that success isn't determined by physical or intellectual capabilities alone, but primarily by one's determination, willpower, or drive. A successful person is distinguished from others not because they are stronger or more knowledgeable, but because they have the persistence, resilience, and unwavering commitment to pursue their goals despite challenges and obstacles. The quote emphasizes that it's not just about having the necessary skills; it's also about summoning the willpower and perseverance to use those skills effectively towards achieving one's objectives.
From a young age, I wanted to play in the NBA. Oh well... It was when I was a senior in college that I fell for film, but even then, it wasn't documentaries. It wasn't until I ended up in graduate school at Southern Illinois University that I really discovered documentaries and thought that maybe that would be my calling.
- Steve James
Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel first championed my film, 'Hoop Dreams,' which was essential to its success. Roger remained a great supporter of my work throughout my career, and I'll never forget him tweeting about 'The Interrupters' right before its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011.
- Steve James
One of the differences between real documentaries and reality television, besides the artificial construct of reality television, is that the people who are recruited to be on those shows, and the people who are interested in going on those shows, basically want to be famous. Or maybe they can win a million dollars or something.
- Steve James
It was no accident that I made 'Hoop Dreams' because it concerned a sport that I loved and hoped would be my dream, however far-fetched that turned out to be. Because of the success of that film, Hollywood pigeonholed me as a sports biopic guy, which led to 'Prefontaine' and two cable sports films.
- Steve James
Generally, I don't like publicity on docs in progress, much less ones that are only in development; I've always tried to stay under the radar in terms of any press, especially with regard to the subjects of the film. I don't want them to be thinking about the film or funding or what the public reaction is going to be.
- Steve James
For most of my films, I've had to go out and start shooting before I could get the rest of the funding. That was the case with 'Hoop Dreams,' 'Stevie' and 'The Interrupters:' We started them quietly out of Kartemquin Films, only really going to funders once we had something to show and a firm idea of what the film might be.
- Steve James
If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.