Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Quotes

Do you know how writers often say the characters take over... But that is more or less what it always feels like to me, too. Even though that's just a way of describing how your brain is working, it's still what you tend to feel.

When I'm writing, I try to have the mask of my character on as I'm walking through the world. When I'm not at my desk, the rest of the time, I try to stay in that character and see the world the way that character would It's almost like method acting in a way — keeping the character close the way the actor keeps a script close and always tries to be in character.

So many actors get caught up in their technique, and to be honest, I see it really getting in the way. I see them forcing things. I definitely do my best work when I'm free of that. But I think as an actor, I work really hard in preparing the roles. I spend like 90 percent of my waking moments walking around thinking: "What does this character do? What is his relationship with so-and-so?" Always, really. Too much!

Sometimes when you have to go into something, unless you're gifted and can just turn it on and off like a jukebox, you find someplace where there's nothing going on to get yourself into whatever state your character is entering into.

I tried to copy some of his mannerisms at first but it didn't work. And then I just let the spirit of the character grow in me and it just took its rightful place. I started to speak the lines and it felt right.

When I do a character, I try to base it on someone I have met or an experience I've had.

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

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.

As a filmmaker I find it much more rewarding to work with actors who are classically trained. It's about the work and only the work.

There are two schools of thought: There are those actors who explain to you that they know exactly how they're going to do the part... And then there is the other method, which is to have no method at all. This is mine.

I do not use any set methods, not even The Method. The character after all is in the lines.

The thing about Brando was that I'd make these directions, and he'd walk away. He'd heard enough... to get the machine going.

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

You know, I've never been much of a method actor. I feel like, with every project I go in extremely prepared and I like to have a good time.

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 started to see acting as a real science. That really helped me grow as an actor.

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

I don't usually like talking about acting or what my process is, and all those kinds of things, because I don't necessarily think it's helpful to talk about how I do my job.

I'm more of a writer than an actor, and I used to say that I'm mostly an improviser, though I haven't improvised in awhile.

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.

I don't like to intellectualize about my acting. I don't sit around and study the pages of a script over and over again.

As much as I know people love the method and what you can draw out of yourself, a lot of acting is very imaginative.

I think people are always trying to demystify whatever acting is, so they want to know what your method is.

I don't know if I do anything to get into character: I just go with my gut.

I don't personally look to my own life experiences for answers about how to play a scene.