Bernardo Bertolucci Quotes

Preparation is really important for actors; they need to know who they are, where they're from, and the experiences up to the point that we make the film.

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 was amazed by the kind of preparation Hollywood actors do for their roles.

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

My only job as an actor is to try and understand the character and, to the best of my ability, bring this character to life.

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.

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.

I think acting really helps as a director. It's just no question, because you totally understand the acting process.

In every film, whether it's a fictional character or not, you create an idea of the character and for me I always do a bad impersonation to start with.

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

When I come onto a show where I haven't met any actors, I try to zero in on the script and what's expected of the character I'm going to play and hopefully keep my focus on that, and friendships develop from that.

As an actor, your first priority is the work - immersing yourself in the role, backstory, and bringing that to screen.

I generally don't feel the need to do more research than is necessary to play the part for me, to inform me.

Whenever I read a script, I don't differentiate between a kissing scene or an emotional scene.

I make it a point to study the character I do, and if the story demands that I wear a particular outfit, I'm game.

If someone comes with an interesting script where the negative role suits me, I will definitely take it up.

Building a character - nothing gives me more high than the process of exploring someone else's life on screen.

I have only recently got interested in film, and it is a strange way of working in many ways. But actually, when it is at its best, it's quite an extraordinary way of working between a director and an actor, to really explore an inner life.

I personally take cues directly from the script, then I like to surprise the other actors. But you must maintain control on a level and see how far you can go up, down or out emotionally. You have to balance the craft with spontaneity.

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.

As an actor, I like as much time with the material as possible and given the opportunity, time spent with the other actors in the scene. But that is a rare luxury in working in any TV series.