Todd Solondz Quotes

I think team sports probably teach you more about giving - about being unselfish and being flexible.

You have to adjust to what your team needs and what you're able to do.

I'm not as obsessive-compulsive about certain things; I give a lot of latitude to people and support people. I know that I can't do it myself and that you're only as good as the people you have behind you.

I'm proud of my ability to understand what somebody else is trying to do and help them achieve it, because part of the aesthetic of improvisation is service. We don't lead, we only follow. You never say no. Serve the servant, follow the follower. And that's very valuable in your life, as well as very valuable in your work.

The thing about improvisation is that it's not about what you say. It's listening to what other people say. It's about what you hear.

The best actors instinctively feel out what the other actors need, and they just accommodate it.

I think I can work with any type of actor.

I believe you can work with anybody.

I come from a background where I like collaboration and improv. I think that it is important.

I love to be in the position of not knowing what I'm gonna do, but having rehearsed all of those so when something happens with the others actors I go with whatever that is I'm getting.

I'm actually one who will encourage directors to cut my lines.

You work with stand-up comedians or you work with somebody in theater, you work with somebody from 'Star Search' or 'Survivor' or a kid, it constantly changes how you play with people.

I mesh with anyone.

To me, one of the things I love about being an actor is that it's never done; it's never perfect, and so it's the process. It's like practicing being okay with things not being perfect and things being outside of your control.

Toby not being there doesn't bother me, I mean I can work with anybody as long as we get along and as long as they've got an understanding of what I want and what I'm aiming for. To start with, when he left, it was difficult.

The best thing an actor can be is flexible, because all directors are different and all actors are different.

Most actors are pretty adaptable because we work with so many directors.

One thing I learned particularly at Yale was how to work with others. Having studied so long trying to master myself, the biggest challenge was learning about the other person's work.

I can't imagine doing anything without being an improviser. I can't imagine trying to write or act or direct without what improvising offers you.

I play well with everybody.

When you collaborate, you have to be willing to scrap a lot.

I research every part thoroughly. I talk it out with my actor friends, but then I throw it all away when I get to the set. You have to be spontaneous.

You can learn a little bit from everybody, so you should be able to work a bit with everybody.

Every actor you work with has a different method, same with the director. You have to figure out what your shared language is and how to best support each other, and also take care of yourself.

With improv, it's a combination of listening and not trying to be funny.