Michael Arndt

Good writing is deceptive in that it hides its own artifice - it makes it seem easy.

If you write a bunch of different characters with a bunch of different opinions, you end up with these long scenes of everyone standing around talking.

I like to begin every screenplay with a burst of delusional self-confidence. It tends to fade pretty quickly, but (for me, at least) there doesn't seem to be any other way to start writing a script.

Generally, screenplays suck.

I'd rather have one good scene in a movie by a great director than a small role in a mediocre movie.

Before I die, I will preach to the Muslims in the Arab world. I will preach in Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Iran. I will preach in Tehran. I will do it under the umbrella of God. And see its impact.