Lydia Leonard Quotes

I actually love auditioning because I usually don't get the part. I've tested with Daniel Day-Lewis, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Tom Cruise. So I've gotten to that point, and I understand when I don't get it. There are a lot of very talented people out there.

I'm an actor, and I think some of us who are drawn to this work know what it is to desperately want to be loved and validated: to be good at something and not be able to do it; to come in second on countless projects; or told that you were the first choice, but the part went to that guy who had that TV show in the '90s.

In L.A., you constantly go on auditions, and you're usually not what they're looking for - you get used to going back and back to the same show, and nothing happens.

After my last audition for 'Game of Thrones,' they said, 'Congratulations, princess.' I was like, 'Bye-bye, call centre.'

Acting is a life of rejection.

I don't get cast for every job and I understand that.

Let's be honest. Physicality is going to have a bearing on the parts you get. And if you think differently, you're in the wrong business.

There are more things to worry about in the world than a messed-up audition. It's out of your hands. So often, it's not down to acting abilities but something an actor has no control over. So go in, be prepared, do your job, and go and enjoy the rest of your day.

It's frustrating when you make the efforts but the conditions are not there to make a great tournament.

What drew me into being an actor was that I never got cast in the school plays - and it used to kill me.

Personally, I've always had to face casting directors or producers saying, 'You're right for the part, but nahh, you're not quite what we're looking for.'

Auditioning sucks!

The problem with being an actress is there's a lot of rejection.

As much as I hate auditioning - it's so hard and awkward - it's way better to walk out of that room and win a role because of what you did.

When you go to an audition, don't hang on to it because no matter how well you feel it went or how badly, you just never know what the outcome is going to be.

We didn't score any runs today. That's not my fault.

I never get the tall, blonde, glamorous roles because I'm not tall, blonde and glamorous. I'm more the wee, disturbing characters because of the way I look or sound.

I always used to say, as a director, that I could make anybody good in a movie if you found the right part. It all comes down to casting.

If I am not right for something there are many talented actors out there that will get it.

My biggest fear as an actor is being involved in something mediocre, or being mediocre myself.

I think I'm an actor. You can hire me. I can do a good job. But you also have to get lucky now and then. Every film-maker knows how hard it is to do a good film. You have to just make many, and see how lucky you get.

Auditioning for 'Philomena' was such a traumatic experience because I had three callbacks, and I was absolutely positive that I was just an option.

Once you get into a part, and someone sees you, you get asked to do it again.

People who do not have funny in them are not funny when they read funny lines. Sorry. Just doesn't work that way. Seriously, this is the biggest rule of all. You live and die with your casting decisions. Your actors are the heart and soul of the whole thing. Without brilliant actors, you will not have a brilliant film.

I'm trying to avoid having regrets about missing opportunities. That would be the worst thing. Like having an audience waiting, and not working hard enough, and coming out with a record that disappointed them.