"In movies the characters never stammer or search for words. They always speak the way we all wish we
could speak in real life. From the self effacing plea to the scathing diatribe, the movie character shows unfaltering eloquence.
We tolerate this particular lack of realism in movies because it gives us archetypal ideals to which we may aspire".
"We love actors and musicians the most because they allow us to briefly step out of our daily routines
to laugh or weep, then quickly return without getting too involved. The price they pay is that they involve themselves too
much in strong emotions. This, combined with the feelings of invulnerability which come from great success, is what so often
leads them to self destructive lifestyles".
"We study films because we want to make ever better ones. In the beginning, creative people make common sense
decisions as to how to shoot a scene. Later there is after-the-fact intellectualizing and deconstruction to explain what happened.
This may at times prove irksome to creative innovators, but it's necessary so that we may have a vocabulary to teach filmmaking
to new generations of creative people."
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On a less serious note. Not a Roy C Peterson quote, but relevant here. Back in the 1930's if a high-school
girl was perceived to be "stuck on herself" because she didn't date any boys, her reputed posture towards
movie going was ~
"I love me.
I think I'm grand!
When I go to the show,
I hold my hand!"
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The Peace Corps:
Roy C Peterson was evaluating the Peace Corps with the idea of making application. The lady
at headquarters asked
"Why to you want to join the Peace Corps?"
Roy C Peterson replied sadly
"Because the French Foreign Legion won't have me!"
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