Nicolas Winding Refn Quotes

When I'm on set, I know what I want.

If you're an actor, you're at the mercy of a script. You've got far more control if you're the photographer.

I do like being in front of the camera more and more. Having experience behind it has taught me about lighting and angles, how to move, and what looks good and what doesn't.

When you take on an acting or dancing role, you have to trust your director, and in some ways there is freedom in relinquishing control.

Kleiber was the perfect dancer - so perfect that you could see the process. After all, dance is a process; it's a series of snapshots. Kleiber knew how to connect people to the flow, so he could stop managing people.

I guess there's this mind shift that happens once you're on stage. I don't know, chemicals, something happens and you just... I just become completely in control of where I am. And it's all about trusting the people that you're on the stage with, listening... and it just falls into place really easily.

I'm able to move like no one else you've ever seen in front of a camera.

Choreography and creativity - it's my matrix; let's see where we can move.

If I'm uncomfortable on stage, everybody can see it. I'm not very good at hiding it. I like long, loose jacket dresses - anything that I can literally have room to move in - not that I'm a very big dancer, but because sometimes I'm sitting down at the keyboard, and then sometimes I'm standing. It just has to feel good.

Nothing makes an actor feel freer and more inventive and more creative than being trusted.

Directing is very close to choreography; you deal with space, time, emotions, lighting, making beautiful images.

The thing I've always liked about performing is that I decide what I want to wear, whether I want to comb my hair.

There's no half-singing in the shower, you're either a rock star or an opera diva.

I personally don't like to rehearse so much. I really sort of trust my instinct.

I trust my directors to see me through, for I don't consider myself as a natural actor - or a good one at that.

I have been into acting and direction, but choreography is my first love.

I trained as a dancer and did all that kind of stuff. And as a dancer, pressure's a good thing.

Creating a dance is like coming up with a Chuck Berry riff.

I was always interested in choreography - in making people think and feel something.

Singing is something I love to do. I feel very confident doing it.

I'm proud when my dance numbers are spoken about for my expressions and steps.

I'm happiest when in front of the camera, and I didn't know it until I got up there.

I've been dancing my entire life. Jazz, hip hop, ballet. And then there's tap dancing. I love to tap.

One of the things I'm always reminded of when I'm back on stage is how much you have to be aware of and in control of. There is no tight shot. There is no 'we're only shoulders-up this time.' No, from the top of your head to your pinky toe, you're telegraphing part of the story the entire time you're up there.

In opera, everyone's watching from a fixed viewpoint, and that really challenges you. Lighting, the sets, stage groupings, the music-but doesn't relate too much to film.