Quotes from Debbie Allen

As far as pacing the shoot is concerned, I know when I've got it. I don't think there's any reason to take ten takes unless you need them.

The radio for these women is like television is for us today, which is really like looking at the radio.

I use something that is a real staple in the directing world. It's called a dance floor. You lay it down so that it's so smooth you can roll around, and you can put furniture on top of it. It's seamless and you don't see it.

I'm driven by passion. I mean, I am tired right now. I work to a point of abandon. I am fueled by my understanding of the need for self-expression that exists for young people.

There are some scenes that work beautifully in a moving, sweeping master, which is how I like to work.

As one who loves literature, art, music and history, I've been deeply rooted in the Harlem Renaissance for many years.

That's the only way I can control my movie. If you shoot everything, then everything is liable to end up in the movie. If you have a vision, you don't have to cover every scene.