103 Quotes by Damien Chazelle

As a kid, I was just writing scripts and taking whatever film classes I could in college.

As delicate as 'Guy and Madeline' was, it was important that 'Whiplash' come off as more of a fever dream.

At the upper echelon of musicians in general, I guess performers in general, you have to have this kind of live-or-die, cutthroat mentality.

Before 'Whiplash,' I'd had a string of failed scripts. I'd pour my blood, sweat and tears into them, and no one would like them.

By the end of high school, I had this fork-in-the-road moment where part of me considered going to vocational music school to really pursue it.

I actually grew up wanting to be a filmmaker. I wanted to make movies, and music was a detour, almost.

I didn't feel the kind of joy every day playing drums that I thought you were supposed to feel.

Mozart was born Mozart. Charlie Parker was born Charlie Parker.

My hands were constantly blistered or bloody; my ears were always ringing. I tore through drumheads and drumsticks like there was no tomorrow.