M.H. Abrams Quotes

I think when you're 10 years old, it's too much to see something with the threat of death in every episode. Kids are better left naive about certain things.

Withholding things in a story is no good if you aren't building to something substantial. It becomes foreplay without the main event, and no one wants that.

Whenever I've directed something, there's this feeling of demand and focus that I like.

I was never really a comic-book fanatic.

I think you have a passion and an obsession for something when it's not necessarily ubiquitous.

I love working with the right actor, and if the right actor happens to be unknown, that should be allowed, too, I think.

I have nothing against 3-D in theory. But I've also never run to the movies because something's in 3-D.

I'm literally open to any medium that will have me.

As a kid, 'Star Wars' was much more my thing than 'Star Trek' was.

I am lucky, I'm the first to admit that.

I feel like obviously the standard for what TV looks like changes all the time.

I don't think I have a signature.

I believe in anything that will engage the audience and make the story more effective.

I'd love to do a movie where the monster is human, where the issue is not otherworldly, or horror or science fiction.

Obviously with the Internet and increased access to other means of watching shows, the audience has dispersed and is all over the place and that is a challenge.

There's nothing wrong with doing sequels, they're just easier to sell.

With three kids you are just trying to survive. You can't be fastidious.

I hope to make movies that are so small they don't need to make anything to be profitable.

The ability of a television series to make adjustments is something you've got to take advantage of.

My mother is the coolest, most amazing person I know.

When you go to commercial, you want something to call the viewers back, and if you don't have a decent act out, the audience probably won't be there in the numbers you want when the show returns.

Every hour that you spend doing something, even if you love it more than anything, you're not with your family. Every project that you take on, that's another choice.

I'd like to use IMAX. The problem with IMAX is that it's a very loud camera. It's a very unreliable camera. Only so much film can be in the camera. You can't really do intimate scenes with it.

I don't think anyone wants a movie on time that's not worth your time.

The idea to put episodes out weekly in theory makes as much sense as putting them all out at once.

I feel blessed that I get to be part of entertaining people in any capacity.

I sort of love the idea of, you know, watching something and then having to wait for the next episode.

Whenever you're playing sports with people who are better than you are, it makes you rise to the occasion.

I don't want to do something that is so inside that only die-hard fans will appreciate.

John Updike is always fun. And one of my former students, Tom Pynchon. And Harold Bloom, another former student.

If you learn one thing from having lived through decades of changing views, it is that all predictions are necessarily false.

Hard work makes easy reading or, at least, easier reading.

It is almost impossible to grow a company of any size and worth unless you expand beyond yourself

Virtually all success depends on trying things that fail.

It probably takes many years of monastic practice to equal the spiritual growth generated by one sleepless night with a sick child.

I am light and stardust in his hands.

It takes wisdom to know when you've had enough, strength to make the decision and determination to see it through.

If the people who make the decisions are the people who will also bear the consequences of those decisions, perhaps better decisions will result.

At a certain point, unabashed optimism becomes delusional insanity.

Out there do'in it in the mountains...I might not be a notable author for my quote, but the column I write is just that... surviving all Mother Nature can throw at you.

I could feel the tears streaming down my face—in some kind of frenzied competition with the rain. At first, I tried to brush the tears away, but I finally let them take their course, unabated.

I think we’ve all lost our minds a bit.” It sounded like she was fighting back tears.

Then again, I had become a disappointment. It’s easier to find fault with a disappointment.

I was good at fabricating the truth when necessary to protect someone, even myself.

Sadly, peaks and valleys are a part of life. You are resilient and you will come out of this stronger than you ever thought possible. Trust me—I know. It’s crucial to remain positive and optimistic.

The failure to set standards for Palestinian conduct hurts the cause of peace.

You are not practicing Judaism if you celebrate Christmas.

The fake republics are goners the monarchies have a fighting chance. That's my conclusion after a short visit to the Middle East and discussions with officials and analysts there.

The courage of the Syrian protesters is remarkable, for they face prison, torture, or death every time they lift a banner.

Even today, when the Obama administration has liberalized travel to Cuba - and failed to reverse that liberalization when Alan Gross was imprisoned - there are limits.