Quotes
John S. Wise
Father had notions about manhood suffrage, public schools, the education and the elevation of the masses, and the gradual emancipation of the slaves, that did not suit the uncompromising views of people in places like Richmond.
John S. Wise
Even if my mother had no qualms of conscience concerning ownership of negroes, her sense of duty carried her far beyond the mere supplying of their physical needs, or requiring that they render faithful service.
John S. Wise
As early as the autumn of 1862, I was made very happy by being sent to school.
John S. Wise
And let me tell you, you boys of America, that there is no higher inspiration to any man to be a good man, a good citizen, and a good son, brother, or father, than the knowledge that you come from honest blood.
John S. Wise
An abolitionist in the abstract, as conceived by us under the teachings surrounding us, was a very frightful creature.
John S. Wise
America is good enough for us.
You look back on films sometimes and if they have not been as all-out successful as you anticipated you try to find reasons why maybe it didn't come off for audiences as well as you would have liked.
You know, people always think if you start out as a film editor, you shoot less footage. Actually, just the opposite is true. I tend to grab as much coverage as I can because as a former editor I know how important it is to have those few frames.
You can't tell any kind of a story without having some kind of a theme, something to say between the lines.
The Sand Pebbles has always been one of my favorite films, I suppose because its the most difficult film - from a physical and logistical standpoint - that I've ever made.
Ordinarily, I don't like to start shooting on a Monday. I prefer to begin in the middle of the week, if I can. On the first day, everyone's a little nervous and anxious, so you have a couple of days' shooting and then the weekend to get re-grouped and catch your breath.
Of all the stars whom I worked with, I think Steve knew better what worked for him on the screen than any other. He had such a sense of what he could register, and that helped a lot in terms of shaping the character and the script.
My three Ps: passion, patience, perseverance. You have to do this if you've got to be a filmmaker.
I've often wondered if maybe I tried to tell too many stories in The Sand Pebbles.