We're developing a new citizenry. One that will be very selective about cereals and automobiles, but won't be able to think. Rod Serling More Quotes by Rod Serling More Quotes From Rod Serling Most screenplays, most motion pictures, owe much more to the screenplay. Ingmar Bergman has such an economy of language, so little language in his piece, it is so visual, his moods are introduced and buttressed by camera rather than by word or character. But again, that's unique. Rod Serling cameras unique character Why do I write? I guess that's been asked of every writer. I don't know. It isn't any massive compulsion. Rod Serling compulsion knows writing People are put down in television now, not because they're not qualitative, not because they're not talented - but because there's no room for them, and worse than that, there's nowhere they can find exposure. Their own good talent may die of mourning, just for want of having somebody read what they've written. I don't presume to say how we can best provide platforms for new writers to get read. I don't know. But therein lies the major problem. Rod Serling mourning lying people I suppose we think euphemistically that all writers write because they have something to say that is truthful and honest and pointed and important. And I suppose I subscribe to that, too. But God knows when I look back over thirty years of professional writing, I'm hard-pressed to come up with anything that's important. Some things are literate, some things are interesting, some things are classy, but very damn little is important. Rod Serling writing years thinking I've never really topped myself, because awards in themselves really don't reflect major accomplishment. It's kind of a strange, backslapping ritual that we go through in this town where you get awards for almost everything. For surviving the day you're going to get awards. Rod Serling awards towns accomplishment I don't think playing it safe constitutes a retreat, necessarily. In other words, I don't think if, by playing safe he means we are not going to delve into controversy, then if that's what he means he's quite right. I'm not going to delve into controversy. Somebody asked me the other day if this means that I'm going to be a meek conformist, and my answer is no. I'm just acting the role of a tired non-conformist. Rod Serling tired mean thinking I was deeply interested in conveying what is a deeply felt conviction of my own. This is simply to suggest that human beings must involve themselves in the anguish of other human beings. This, I submit to you, is not a political thesis at all. It is simply an expression of what I would hope might be ultimately a simple humanity for humanity's sake. Rod Serling political simple expression Up there, up there in the vastness of space, in the void that is sky, up there is an enemy known as isolation. It sits there in the stars waiting, waiting with the patience of eons, forever waiting in the Twilight Zone. Rod Serling space stars twilight There are a lot I'm proud of, and a lot I wish the hell I'd never written. Rod Serling hell proud wish The writer's no different. When he's rejected, that paper is rejected, in a sense, a sizeable fragment of the writer is rejected as well. It's a piece of himself that's being turned down. Rod Serling pieces different paper I guess we all have a little vaunting itch for immortality, I guess that must be it. Rod Serling immortality littles Justice can span years. Retribution is not subject to a calendar. Rod Serling calendars justice years I don't have any system. I dictate a lot, through a machine, and I also have a secretary. But I used to type just like everybody else. Rod Serling type machines used Somehow, some way, incredibly enough, good writing ultimately gets recognized. If you're a really good writer and deserve that honored position, then by God, you'll write, and you'll be read. Rod Serling enough writing way How can you put out a meaningful drama when every fifteen minutes proceedings are interrupted by twelve dancing rabbits with toilet paper? No dramatic art form should be dictated and controlled by men whose training and instincts are cut of an entirely different cloth. The fact remains that these gentlemen sell consumer goods, not an art form. Rod Serling meaningful drama art I'm sufficiently independent to know that I can live well and comfortably all the rest of my life whether I'm rejected or not. Rod Serling live-well rejected independent You must always assume that the relationship between writer and producer is that of adversaries - however you slice it. They may be your dearest friends, and they'll invite you to dinner, but when all the smoke clears and the ozone lifts, your enemy is the producer, that's the guy you're competing with, and you have to battle him, just as if you were an adversary. Rod Serling ozone guy enemy If it sounds good as you say it, likely as not it'll sound good when an actor's saying it. Rod Serling actors ifs sound I'm frequently surprised, sometimes bugged off, and sometimes happy, depending on the actor. It's a fact of life that just as often as not an actor can breathe life into a line as he can destroy it by misinterpretation, and I've been blessed frequently by having good actors. Rod Serling lines actors blessed You can be a hunchback and a dwarf and what-all. If you write beautifully, you can write beautifully. Rod Serling dwarfs dwarves writing
