You can't just tell actors, especially young ones, to 'act happy' and expect them to do it. They must in some essential way be happy.
Am I an anxious guy? I think I have been called upon as an actor a lot to access emotions like that. But I don't really think I am a big worrier. I don't see myself like that. But I guess other people do. Which is maybe worrying in itself.
I have often seen an actor laugh off the stage, but I don't remember ever having seen one weep.
I think the emotional toolbox I have is healthy for an actor, as far as the intensity of emotions go. It's other things I have to hone. I can swim in that comfortably.
Every time I talk about 'The Shield' I kind of talk about it from three perspectives, as if I'm three people, because I'm a fan of the show. I'm in love with all the other characters and their journeys and their work. But then, as an actor, I love getting this kind of rich material and having to do it. As my character, did my journey finish?
Every actor has to love and loathe the character he plays.
If I play a more aggressive, stronger guy, I often go through my day feeling a bit better than when I play somebody who's not.
I wasn’t getting obliterated, but I was getting a kick. I was very method on that. That’s why I’d have gone along with it [if Tom had hit her]. But Tom was like: ‘Oh my God – I hope you don’t murder me!’
I get along very well with the cast of '30 Rock.' I guess I bring a certain quirkiness to the show as well. I'm just thankful they keep asking me. I didn't think I was going to be asked back so every time they say, 'We want you back,' I'm screaming. I'm jumping up and down and screaming.
We breathe life into a role, and it's overwhelming to receive positive feedback.
I don't have an 'actor cry.'
As an actor in the classroom, you're revealing so much, and teachers are, you know, they're just critiquing like a painting or a piece of work; it's like, it's you, and it's your emotions that they're working with.
As a director, you can't stop a guy if he thinks something's hysterical, because if you do, then he'll get depressed because he thinks he didn't come up with a good joke. So if a guy's going on some run and it's killing him, and he thinks it's hilarious, you gotta do enough so that he thinks you can use it in the movie.
I get inhabited by a character and then you mourn it. There's a period of mourning for me, definitely.
I usually don't say anything to the actors. It works better for me because when they come to the set, they are at the same time scared and excited because they are not well aware of what will happen.
I don't sit around with other actors and talk about the pain and the magic of acting.
Whatever tension is on set can end up on your face.
Sean's a better person when he's directing. He becomes a queen when he's an actor. And he's so unhappy when he's acting.
The truth is that when Lennon is Bosephus, she is so mean to me. She can't smile because the mustache will come off. So in between takes, it's just scowling. And then when we are on camera, Bosephus treats me like a piece of meat. I'm repulsed and also attracted to it.
Definitely, people laugh a lot on the set. The actor always feels bad about laughing during a take. But I love it. It means you are having a good time and you are enjoying yourself. There is nothing wrong with laughter.
