Jeff Daniels Quotes

I think what makes a good actor's director is somebody who understands what I'm doing and is respectful of it, but who also has a vision and is directing me toward their vision in a way that feels productive.

I have realised I am a director's actor.

An actor can be as talented as another, but if he doesn't stick to what the director's intentions are, it all falls down. I adore working with actors.

Actors aren't stupid, mostly, and if there's a sensibility and an aesthetic that a director's going for, if you're aware of that too, you can do things to help that.

I'm really a director's actor. I rely heavily on a director.

I'm a director's actor and go by what they say.

I'm very old-school. I like a director to direct me. I like to be the actor.

The most amazing thing you can ask for as an actor from a director is that you're being seen, that the choices made are informed.

I've acted with all types, I've directed all types. What you want to understand, as a director, is what actors have to offer. They'll get at it however they get at it. If you can understand that, you can get your work done.

It's part of the job of the actor to torture the director.

As an actor, you've got to have faith in the director's vision, that the director has a vision for this that is greater than the critics say.

My greatest strength as an actor is that I follow my director's brief completely. The film is always the director's visual baby.

I love actors, both my parents were actors, and the work with actors is the most enjoyable part of making a film. It's important that they feel protected and are confident they won't be betrayed. When you create that atmosphere of trust, it's in the bag - the actors will do everything to satisfy you.

My experience has been that actors always want to be directed.

Established actors will challenge you if they don't agree with the way you are taking it, and you have to argue it. But with a younger cast, they are more likely to wonder whether what they are doing is okay instead of trying to second guess the director. That helps push you.

As an actor, you're never really in control of the product. I think the goal is to create what you want. And if you can get as close as you can get to the creation of something, it starts with development.

I am totally a director's actor.

I am a director's actress in general - I depend a lot on them.

It helps for actors if you have one director.

I am completely a director's actor. If the director gives me the liberty and freedom, then I give my inputs. Otherwise, I just follow instructions.

I'm a director's actor, and I surrender myself to the vision and the process. I think nothing else matters then.

Good actors can tell you more about your play than 1,000 hours alone at your desk.

An actor can never voice his opinion through films. All an actor does is convey what the director and writer want to say. You are a mouthpiece of their ideas. Your ideas reflect only in your choice of movies.

My job, as an actor, is to give the director options. You can only hope that the takes that you thought were the best were chosen. But, then again, if I don't watch it, I'll never know.

In choosing any role, I ask the same questions: what kind of part is it? is the role challenging? does the director have a vision? is the story moving? etc.