One of the things I've learned from animation is that some guys are really good at writing, some guys are really good at design, some guys are really good at directing. It's almost like working in a band - not everybody plays every instrument. Paul Dini More Quotes by Paul Dini More Quotes From Paul Dini We’ve all selected the wrong partners, all gotten hurt, and hopefully all moved on wiser for the experience. But there are those who, even in the face of constant disappointment, continue to believe that the intensity of their desire will be rewarded by an eventual jackpot of affection. And if that’s the slot machine you’re playing, friend, you’d better leave the casino ‘cause that one don’t pay out Paul Dini disappointment hurt believe Boys, boys, boys. Boys buy the little spinny tops, they but the action figures, girls buy princesses, we're not selling princesses. Paul Dini princess girl boys I was one of those goofy kids whose year narrowed down to focus on Christmas from about September on. I guess I was like Ralphie in 'A Christmas Story,' in that I would get swept up into the anticipation of the holiday, watching the lights go up, hearing the songs in the stores, getting special Christmas issues of comics and all that. Paul Dini lights holiday focus christmas Kids love the Hulk, but they're not really sure: 'Is he a monster or is he a hero?' Paul Dini he monster hero love I was writing a script about the Joker menacing a regular person who had strayed into his path, and I needed to give him a gang of henchmen to work with him. The idea occurred to me, let's put in a female henchperson, because that seemed like a fun variation on the regular big thug guys. Paul Dini me path work fun Characters do change over time; there are surprises, role reversals, and things like that. Paul Dini things like change time There was a time I was willing to be a clown for people who I felt were the perfect person for me. Paul Dini me perfect time people I always think of the Joker as the ultimate bully. Nothing he says is funny except to him. Paul Dini joker nothing think funny What makes Batman and what makes other superheroes work is the myth that when life is at its lowest, and when you need a hero, a hero swings down and helps you. Paul Dini you hero work life Mr. Freeze is motivated by different things. He doesn't really have that much of an axe to grind with Batman. Batman is an irritation and an impediment to him, not an enemy that he hates. He doesn't have the hatred that the Joker has for Batman. Paul Dini joker things hatred enemy The Joker is a tremendous vehicle for talented actors. Cesar Romero's was a bubbly, lunatic criminal. Nicholson did him as a vain, preening manipulator. Heath's performance of the Joker was remarkable, too. His was a low-simmering crazy street clown. Joker can be played all these ways, and they're all true. Paul Dini street true performance crazy You don't have to limit yourself or feel that you've been limited by an act of cruelty. Paul Dini limit yourself feel you I really didn't have any plan for her other than the henchgirl role, who was better at getting laughs out of the other gang members than the Joker was. I gave her the name Harley Quinn because I thought Harley was a fun name for a girl, and a lot of 'Batman' character names have a bit of a pun to them, like E Nygma. Paul Dini name better girl character As much fun as it is gaming, I have so much to do that I've had to get away from them. I still enjoy them. When I go to a friend's house and they have a game on, I'll happily join in and play. Paul Dini friend game gaming enjoy Batman is dark and moody and spooky and, in some cases, methodical. Paul Dini batman some moody dark 'Jingle Belle' spins out of my love for just sitting down and reading a good, fun Sunday morning comic strip panel. Paul Dini good reading morning love Jim Henson once allowed me to visit the Muppets on set and spent an entire day showing me how he and the other puppeteers performed Kermit and all the characters! After that, I was lucky enough to work with both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg on many fun animation projects and learned so much from them. Paul Dini day me work fun We had established Harley Quinn as an accomplice to the Joker who was also crushing on him and found herself in the middle of this weird relationship being at the beck and call of his every whim. We wanted to stretch her and make her a stronger character, so to have her leave him and go off on her own was a story I wanted to tell for a while. Paul Dini weird stronger relationship character To overcome any form of adversity, to not give up, to not give up on yourself, your dreams, to not sequester yourself away from people - that's the most important thing to do with your life. Paul Dini yourself dreams life people I'm not saying I talk to cartoon characters all the time, but the characters are very real to me. In a very non-insane way. Paul Dini saying me time way
