Often actors ask me if I think they should go on trying to be an actor. I have the same answer for… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
There's only one reason why a character drinks: to seek confrontation. To fight for what they want in ways normally denied them. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Conflict is what creates drama. The more conflict actors find, the more interesting the performance. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
If we lived for reality, we'd be dead, every last one of us. Only dreams keep us going. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
We don't live for realities, but for the fantasies, the dreams of what might be. If we lived for reality, we'd be… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Humor [in a scene] is not jokes. It is that attitude toward being alive without which you would long ago have jumped… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Every scene you will ever act begins in the middle, and it is up to you, the actor, to provide what comes… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
An actor must make his needs (goals, wants, objectives) so strong that he is willing to interfere with the other actor in… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Competition [in a scene] is healthy. Competition is life. Yet most actors refuse to acknowledge this. They don't want to compete. They… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Competition is healthy. Competition is life. Yet most actors refuse to acknowledge this. They don't want to compete. They want to get… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Whatever you decide is your motivation in the scene, the opposite of that is also true and should be in it. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Acting in theatre or television or screen is only for the irrecoverably diseased, those so smitten with the need that there is… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Listening is not merely hearing. Listening is reacting. Listening is being affected by what you hear. Listening is active. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Listening is not merely hearing, it is receiving the message that is being sent to you. Listening is reacting. Listening is being… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
An expression of feeling isn't worth anything unless it interferes with what the other actor in the scene wants. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
To go into acting is like asking for admission to an insane asylum. Anyone may apply, but only the certifiably insane are… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
The first step to a better audition is to give up character and use yourself. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Take nothing for granted. Make an emotional discovery as often as you can find one in every scene. Ask yourself: What is… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Creating relationship is the heart of acting. It is basic. It is essential. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
An actor is looking for conflict. Conflict is what creates drama. We are taught to avoid trouble [so] actors don't realize they… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Often actors ask me if I think they should go on trying to be an actor. I have the same answer for everyone who… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
That's why there's so little romance in our world now: everyone thinks romance is weak. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
There's only one reason why a character drinks: to seek confrontation. To fight for what they want in ways normally denied them. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Conflict is what creates drama. The more conflict actors find, the more interesting the performance. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
If we lived for reality, we'd be dead, every last one of us. Only dreams keep us going. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
We don't live for realities, but for the fantasies, the dreams of what might be. If we lived for reality, we'd be dead, every… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Everyone thinks romance is weak. Yet romance is everyone's secret dream-it's why we're alive. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Humor [in a scene] is not jokes. It is that attitude toward being alive without which you would long ago have jumped off the… — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Every scene is a love scene. The actor should ask the question: 'Where is the love?' — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
Every scene you will ever act begins in the middle, and it is up to you, the actor, to provide what comes before. — Michael Shurtleff Copy Share Image
![“Humor [in a scene] is not jokes. It is that…” quote by Michael Shurtleff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/504/michael-shurtleff-19554_acting_humor-in-a-scene-is-not-jokes-it-is-that_611053.jpg)
![“Competition [in a scene] is healthy. Competition is life. Yet…” quote by Michael Shurtleff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/75e/michael-shurtleff-19554_acknowledge_competition-in-a-scene-is-healthy-compet_1161371.jpg)
