Sean Penn Quotes

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

As an actor, one's role is very much to respond and react to the situation within the context of the character and his world.

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

As an actor, I'm more interested in characters the longer I have lived with them.

I'm not the kind of actor that would know what my character had for breakfast last Tuesday.

The process changes slightly from role to role. Obviously, there are different things you're called on to do. You're not digging deep for Basher Tarr like I was for Paul Rusesabagina, but at the end of the day it's still all make-believe and you still are trying as realistically as you can to depict these characters.

When you do a play, or even a movie, you have weeks to finesse your character. You really understand why they do what they do. In TV, you get new material weekly about your character.

So I regard my part in Genevieve as a real challenge.

I work a lot; I love to compose, ponder, and take notes when preparing for a role. I cut all the scenes, collate the images, form the character and shape its personality, then I make meticulous notes and transcribe each scene on my notebook.

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

Creating a role is an interesting thing - each show or each situation is different.

I'm more interested in knowing my cues than my lines. If you know what your cues are, then you know what your reaction is going to be to them. Acting is about reacting, and if I can kind of purely react, that's easier for me.

I've been on projects before where there's no rehearsal, and you walk in on set and that's literally the first time you've ever played the character, and then I've had times where there's been three weeks of rehearsal. I like both.

A lot of actors and actresses pull from past experiences.

I'm always looking for roles to challenge me and ones which I'll enjoy playing.

The most vital thing for an actor to deliver a great performance is to be honest to the role he or she is playing.

I like to prepare for my roles well, so you can call me a method actor to an extent.

I perform a role as per the requirements of the script. When it comes to work, I don't have any personal choice with regards to glam or de-glam. As an actor, I enjoy doing everything.

Most actors do that. They fill in the blanks. You don't want to play a cipher.

For any role, I pretty much always go to the script, first and foremost.

My preparation is mainly just knowing the lines and getting in and knowing where your character is, knowing what it's about and having ideas that you can put in on the day.

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

I don't really prepare for roles. I just kind of do them!

I want to play an action hero. I'm ready for roles that totally aren't me.

Well, my favorite roles so far are Lucas and Lost Boys.