Lennie James Quotes

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

I definitely think it exercises an interesting muscle, auditioning for bad parts and trying to figure out how to make it real. I don't know what I'm talking about now.

I never thought of acting as a creative process. Christ, I used to go to the movies and see Brando talking like he was trying to sell shoes, and he was great. I thought anybody could do it. Then I tried it, and I got so uptight, I'm limited as to what I can do on film.

There's a fine line between the Method actor and the schizophrenic.

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.

One of my favorite parts of being an actress is being a detective.

In some ways, it's easier to be the lead. Week after week, scene after scene, the rhythms of filming force you to peel away a certain amount of artifice. When you're on set that much, there's a license to let the character emerge from the work itself.

Acting has always been very comfortable for me, so it allows me to pay attention to other parts of the process literally while I'm acting.

I didn't have to audition. That's common, but it had never happened to me before. Normally, I hate auditioning. I need to stew and think... let the character develop and grow inside me.

I think that different actors go about their preparation differently, but when it comes to acting, I use my imagination.

The worst acting is about imitation.

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.

For actors, you've gotta sometimes fill in your backstory.

I think some actors thrive on working at a much greater pace than I do.

It is hard sometimes to see how other actors are working when you are working with them.

I love an acting challenge, and I love getting to sit down with my script and do all my drama work.

I'm not a method actor; I hope you know that!

When you drop your guard in films, the acting process compensates. You get lazy and you start acting.

I don't really prepare for each role the same way.

I'm not what you'd call a Method actor.

If I have an audition, I go to the audition in character. I'm in character when I walk in the room. I mean, I'm still sweet to everyone, but I'm very much the character.

You can't generalise, of course, but there is a school of American acting where there is a kind of pride in the number of takes you can do.

When I do film, I really take on roles and I take on characters.

So from an actor's perspective, you really have no idea how you're acting.

If I were to play somebody who ran a fish and chip shop, I would not work in a fish and chip shop for three months. Staring at chips is not going to help me in my performance.