Daniel Mays Quotes

Preparation is definitely important, but it depends on the kinds of roles I do. Like, I completely identify with my character in 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.' I had to be myself and I didn't have to actually prepare for it.

With films, you completely immerse yourself in a character, get into who they are, live it and then release it.

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

I take my time to get into the mindset of the character and say my lines. I really have to be the person that I am playing.

When I'm playing a character, I don't wear perfume.

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

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.

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.

I'm always happier and a better actor when I can really lose myself in a character and become somebody else.

I like to be absorbed in what my character's doing.

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

Getting in and out of a character takes its own time for me.

I lived my 'Mom' character. I became Devaki.

Once you are in the character, you should let your inner actor take over you.

When I do a film, it is about how I become a character.

I just learn my lines, go on set. Do my preparation, whatever that is. Have a cup of coffee. Say hello to everyone. And be friendly. "Action" - and then do it.

You're playing a role, but you're still feeling it. You can walk away from it after 'Cut,' but if you're playing a sad or mixed-up person, it's hard to stay in that place for these longish period of times. You kind of have to check out.

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

I just love to act. I like to get away, totally play a different character, someone you can get really involved in knowing. I've gotten really involved in some characters and written down little summaries of where they live and what their families are like.

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

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.

I'm a rational person, and I'm not a method actor. You don't need to call me by my character's name while I'm not shooting.

I think all actors are supposed to be character actors.

As a young performer, I didn't know that you can have a great time playing someone in terrible crisis. The more you know it's not real, the deeper you can go into it. And the easier it is to let it go when it's done.