I said to my kids, 'Learn the business of America if you want to be an artist in America. The rest of that stuff, the art part, you could pick up in an hour and a half.' Melvin Van Peebles More Quotes by Melvin Van Peebles More Quotes From Melvin Van Peebles I make a film like I cook for friends. I hope they like it, but if they don't, I'm prepared to enjoy it all by myself. Melvin Van Peebles cooks enjoy film Hollywood desires money but they could not stand the political content. Melvin Van Peebles hollywood political desire Worry is a funky luxury when a lot has to be done. Melvin Van Peebles luxury done worry No film is made without the people behind the lens. Of course, most people, even I, tend to look at films in the most simplistic way, and say, "Wow, so-and-so is in this film." We talk about who's in it, as opposed to who got it made. But there are financial and technical aspects which go along with it, that should be addressed and acknowledged, including those minorities who are doing excellent work as well. Melvin Van Peebles excellent-work lenses people I really like to talk to people and to get their take on things. Melvin Van Peebles people Music or sound in a film is a character as important as another character. Melvin Van Peebles important sound character I'm not a cinematic cinematic person. I go to the movies like I did back when I was a kid. I go to the movies and I sit down. If the music works, hmm. If it doesn't work, hmm. The whole concept of the thing, not as one piece here or there. For me, music is a large part. Melvin Van Peebles back-when pieces kids Personally, I do movies the way I cook. I put in what I like, in case nobody else likes it and I have to eat it for the rest of the week. Melvin Van Peebles week likes way I can't read or write music. When I want to remember something, I try to remember all the keys on the piano. Which is what I still do. I put the numbers on the keys. And that's got to become music again. Melvin Van Peebles piano keys writing I don't consider myself a sociologist, I consider myself a filmmaker, among other things. Maybe an asshole but a filmmaker. Melvin Van Peebles sociologists filmmaker Directors love to do music, they've been doing that all along. Melvin Van Peebles directors Music is for theater like theater is for scripts. It's total: it's cyclical. Melvin Van Peebles scripts music-is theater Normally, if I'm being acknowledged it is for something in front of the camera. This puts the spotlight on the fact that there are opportunities other than just being an actor. Melvin Van Peebles cameras actors opportunity I was a trader for a company. That's different from the brokers who we sort of disdain as sort of just errand boys. Melvin Van Peebles errands different boys Essentially, I'm, most of all, a writer. So, what makes people tick interests me. Melvin Van Peebles tick interest people In the morning, I get the paper. I look in the obituary column. If I don't see myself in there, I get up. Melvin Van Peebles see myself look morning My life and career is defined by the constant pursuit of new forms of culture and self-expression. Melvin Van Peebles my-life new life culture There's something on Wall Street called PIG - panic, ignorance, and greed. Those are the big sins. I'm not greedy, I knew I was ignorant, and I didn't panic. Melvin Van Peebles street something greed ignorance Scars are the price you pay for success. Melvin Van Peebles scars price you success Making 'Sweetback' took an exorbitant amount of energy and time. Melvin Van Peebles took making energy time
