Robert Carlyle Quotes

I've always been a material-based actor. That's what I've done, the choices I've made - like a heat-seeking missile.

I'm not a Method actor. I don't believe acting should be psychodrama. I look within myself and see what I can find to play the role with. If I'm playing a blind man, I don't go around blindfolded for days. A lot of good actors would, but I don't go in for that very much. I like to just make it up as I go along.

I think I would not be described as a character actor in that I don't take on characteristics which are very alien to me.

You have to be talentedly insecure in order to be a good actress. And then it's the director's job to make you more miserable and get a good take.

Since I was from the theater, that's how I learned how to go through the process of being a character. That's how I learned, and that's what I was comfortable doing. And then, the first feature films, I'm sure I was no fun because I did not want to be spontaneous in that filmic way that really can work for you.

When you get to set, you don't try to play the plot; you just play the character.

I like method actors who don't focus on the glamorous side, but on realistic acting.

I feel that when it comes to acting, Shahid and I approach roles differently.

An actor will use every piece of information at their disposal, or a good actor will.

Before I film a movie, I look at how the character will move and walk.

As an actor you get categorized by other people, but it's not like I arrange myself into comedy mode or serious mode. If it's good writing you just have to play it true - if it's funny, it's funny. But obviously you don't want it to be amusing if you're playing Hedda Gabler!

I'm the sort of actor who likes to talk about what we're going to do.

In 'There Will Be Blood,' my character was someone who was an actor himself almost. He had a rehearsed quality about him. He was a performance artist in a way.

If James Franco's wearing a costume, and I'm wearing a motion capture suit, we don't act any differently with each other because of what we're wearing. We're embodying our roles.

The thing about being an actor is that you're acting. It's not that big of a deal of to play someone different from yourself.

Fonda and Gary Cooper had the best sense of timing of all the actors I knew.

I take a script and mull over it and underline the bits I want to emphasize. When I go to the set, I know exactly what I want to do.

A lot of American actors I work with are in character all day long. You can't talk to them. It's Method and the whole thing.

I don't act in the way other actresses act, in terms of building or creating a character. I don't transform myself into the role, I invest myself in the role.

Usually most characters I play are quite realistic.

We did very little improvisation on camera, and once in a while we did.

I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have to know where the lens is, what the shot is, and where you're moving. And then you have to trick yourself into an emotional state where you believe this stuff is actually happening.

As an actor, when you encounter a psychopathic personality, you naturally want to make him 'bigger than life,' as the Americans say.

All actors do that. Should do that and do that. For the most part. I say all actors. I'm exaggerating, but you know who does and who doesn't. Vince is a wonderful young actor who knows his work and did a beautiful job on this film.

I am really not of the school of naturalism. I like style, and you can use more style in theater than in film roles. I love to sink my teeth into a part.