Orson Welles: Make Money Hack

Orson Welles Money Quote saying that he feels a hobby should become a money-maker or be given up. Orson Welles said:
 

 

“I am essentially a hack, a commercial person. If I had a hobby, I would immediately make money on it or abandon it” — Orson Welles

In this quote, Orson Welles seems to be acknowledging his pragmatic approach to work and passion projects. The best interpretation is:

• Welles refers to himself as “essentially a hack” or hired professional who takes on jobs primarily for commercial purposes over personal interests.
• He notes that if he ever pursued a hobby or non-work activity solely for enjoyment, he would either figure out how to “immediately make money on it” through monetization.
• Or, if the hobby could not be profitized in some way, Welles implies he would be inclined to “abandon it” since he sees little value in non-lucrative pastimes.

Overall, the quote conveys Welles’ perspective that he viewed most endeavors through the lens of their revenue-generating potential rather than just intrinsic satisfaction. He appears to be suggesting that anything he engaged with creatively or casually would either become an income source or be discarded if not financially worthwhile according to his pragmatic view of work and leisure.

Birthday: May 6, 1915 – Death: October 10, 1985

Orson Welles: Expensive Paintbox

Orson Welles Money Quote saying that hustling money to produce a movie is the greater part of what movie-makers do. Orson Welles said:
 

 

“I have wasted the greater part of my life looking for money and trying to get along, trying to make my work from this terribly expensive paintbox, which is a movie. And I’ve spent too much energy on things that have nothing to do with making a movie. It’s about two percent moviemaking and ninety-eight percent hustling It’s no way to spend a life” — Orson Welles

In this quote, Orson Welles seems to be expressing regret over how much time and effort he spent trying to obtain funding for his films, rather than focusing solely on the creative process of moviemaking itself. By stating that making movies was “about two percent moviemaking and ninety-eight percent hustling,” and that it was “no way to spend a life,” Welles appears to be lamenting the large amount of energy he had to expend on fundraising, promotion and other business matters unrelated to the artistic craft of film direction.

His words suggest he felt he wasted a great deal of his potential and talents by having to spend so much of his career navigating the financial and commercial challenges of getting his film projects made, rather than immersed fully in the craft of cinematic storytelling.

Birthday: May 6, 1915 – Death: October 10, 1985

Orson Welles: Class Distinction

Orson Welles Money Quote saying crooks aren’t very smart, unless they do well for themselves, then they are called successful. Orson Welles said:
 

 

“Criminals are never very amusing. It’s because they’re failures. Those who make real money aren’t counted as criminals. This is a class distinction, not an ethical problem” — Orson Welles

In this quote, Orson Welles seems to be critiquing societal perceptions of criminality and wealth. By stating that criminals “are never very amusing” because they are “failures”, and that those who “make real money aren’t counted as criminals”, Welles implies that success determines whether questionable acts are condemned or celebrated.

His comment that this is “a class distinction, not an ethical problem” conveys Welles’ perspective that morality is subjective based on social status rather than objective principles.

Overall, the quote portrays Welles’ viewpoint that society judges wrongdoing not based on justice, but favor toward the powerful, as the wealthy face less censure for acts that would condemn poorer counterparts as “criminals”. Welles appears to be arguing this double standard shapes popular views of right and wrong more than any consistent ethics.

Birthday: May 6, 1915 – Death: October 10, 1985

Orson Welles: Sake of Posterity

Orson Welles Money Quote saying that to imagine that posterity will value our work beyond what we are paid to do it. Orson Welles said:
 

 

“It is just as vulgar to work for the sake of posterity as to work for the sake of money” — Orson Welles

In this quote, Orson Welles seems to be criticizing the notion of working primarily for fame or legacy rather than intrinsic fulfillment. By stating it is “just as vulgar” to work “for the sake of posterity” as to work “for the sake of money”, Welles implies that both approaches reduce creativity to external motivations rather than internal passion and purpose.

The quote conveys Welles’ perspective that seeking primarily to be remembered after death through one’s work is another form of compromising art for superficial rewards besides wealth alone.

Overall, Welles appears to be arguing that true creativity stems from self-expression, not desires for monetary gain, public acclaim or immortal renown, as these extrinsic ambitions risk detracting from work’s essence when they overshadow the inner joy of the creative process itself.

Birthday: May 6, 1915 – Death: October 10, 1985