William H. Macy Quotes

Even when you are playing someone who is real, you get their mannerisms and you get their little quirks, but, it still has to be something inside of you that connects with the role, or else you will not be any good.

Good acting comes from finding the essence of a character.

A lot of what acting is paying attention.

Bad actors try to cry, and good actors try not to. Bad actors try to laugh, and good actors try not to.

When you play characters, you shouldn't just be putting on their characteristics - you should be finding it inside yourself.

I think a lot about the editing of the films when we're making them, partly because I studied that, and partly because if you think about being in love while you're supposed to be acting in love, there's nowhere to go. You have to focus on something else and then do what's being asked, and you might get some semblance of something interesting.

The worst acting is about imitation.

I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have to know where the lens is, what the shot is, and where you're moving. And then you have to trick yourself into an emotional state where you believe this stuff is actually happening.

I don't feel like I've ever kissed any of the people I have done for acting. That moment didn't exist for you; it existed for that person.

It's what I learn from the great actors that I work with. Stillness. That's all and that's the hardest thing.

I think when you're at your best as an actor, it is cathartic.

Obviously an actor draws on his own experience.

I think chemistry and great acting go hand-in-hand.

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

The trick to acting is not to show off, it's to think the thoughts of the character.

That's probably the biggest secret of acting: If the actor believes it themselves, they can make you believe it.

One of the first lessons you learn as an actor is to listen.

Acting is not acting. It isn't putting on a face and dancing around in a mask. It's believing that you are that character and playing him as if it were a normal day in the life of that character.

With some actors, you can tell when they're acting all by themselves, no matter who else is in the screen.

That's what acting is - it's about... having the courage to allow your audience into the private moments of your characters' lives.

A lot of actors and actresses pull from past experiences.

I like method actors who don't focus on the glamorous side, but on realistic acting.

Even great actors who transform who they are still go to a really honest place; I think that's sort of that special skill that actors have.

I've tried to shut myself off as much as possible from the hype of 'War Horse,' and just thought, 'OK, I'm going to focus on the character and focus on the story and focus on what I have to do.'

My only goal is to be the best actress I can be. You have to give it everything. All I have as an actress is the revelation of my soul.