--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always think that trying to push…" description: "\"I always think that trying to push yourself as an actor in a direction that you've never been before, developing characters which are more difficult to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89b/asa-butterfield-7713_actor_i-always-think-that-trying-to-push-yours_2370249.jpg" --- # I always think that trying to push yourself as an actor in… ![“I always think that trying to push yourself as an actor in a direction that you've never been before, developing characters which are more difficult to get into the head of, or are more interesting and further away from yourself, is always a challenge. But, you want to take up that challenge and…” quote by Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89b/asa-butterfield-7713_actor_i-always-think-that-trying-to-push-yours_2370249.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89b/asa-butterfield-7713_actor_i-always-think-that-trying-to-push-yours_2370249.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89b/asa-butterfield-7713_actor_i-always-think-that-trying-to-push-yours_2370249.jpg) > “I always think that trying to push yourself as an actor in a direction that you've never been before, developing characters which are more difficult to get into the head of, or are more interesting and further away from yourself, is always a challenge. But, you want to take up that challenge and try your best.” [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pushing beyond familiar roles challenges an actor to explore complex characters, fostering growth and deeper craft mastery. **In simple terms:** Actors grow by tackling unfamiliar, tough roles. Key Takeaway Embrace challenging roles for growth. Themes growth challenge craft Mood determined inspired Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - auditions for new genres - method acting workshops - collaborative rehearsals Key Concepts character depth risk‑taking creative exploration Questions to Reflect On - What new role could stretch your abilities? - How do you balance challenge with personal wellbeing? A Different Perspective Risk of typecasting or burnout exists. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actor Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-direction-1818099/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Asa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asa-11309/) [Away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/away/) [Been](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/been/) [Before](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/before/) [Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/) [Challenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenge/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Characters Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-difficult-1818097/) [Developing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/developing/) [Developing Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/developing-characters-1818098/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direction/) [Further](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/further/) [Get](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get/) [Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/head/) [Interesting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interesting/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Push](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/push/) [Push Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/push-actor-1818101/) [Push yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/push-yourself/) [Take](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/take/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Think Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-trying/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try/) [Try your best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-your-best/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Which](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/which/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) [Yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yourself/) ## Related quotes > [I always think that trying to push yourself as an actor in a direction that you've never been before, developing characters which are more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/i-always-think-that-trying-to-push-yourself-as-an-actor-in-a/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [I think I can speak for a lot of people in that they would be pretty nervous about meeting Harrison Ford, and I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/i-think-i-can-speak-for-a-lot-of-people-in-that-they-would-be-pretty-2/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [I'm a real people person and I'm very sensitive, and I've just noticed how other actors that I've worked with, as an actor, take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courteney-cox/i-m-a-real-people-person-and-i-m-very-sensitive-and-i-ve-just-noticed/) [Courteney Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courteney-cox/) > [I don't try to find similarities with my characters because then it becomes difficult to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahesh-manjrekar/i-don-t-try-to-find-similarities-with-my-characters-because-then-it/) [Mahesh Manjrekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahesh-manjrekar/) > [“So much for their looks; but their characters - that is a much more difficult matter. We all have our quirks and no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murasaki-shikibu/so-much-for-their-looks-but-their-characters-that-is-a-much-more/) [Murasaki Shikibu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murasaki-shikibu/) > [“Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-gregson/gracias-a-la-vida-que-me-ha-dado-tanto/) [Julia Gregson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-gregson/) > [You're always trying to look for material that is as challenging as possible, so that's why I like stuff where the characters go through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/you-re-always-trying-to-look-for-material-that-is-as-challenging-as/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [“Estou sempre a fazer isto com as pessoas. Ponho-as de parte antes de as conhecer, ou acho que a simpatia, um certo tipo de…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-gregson/estou-sempre-a-fazer-isto-com-as-pessoas-ponho-as-de-parte-antes-de/) [Julia Gregson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-gregson/) > [By journalistic custom and D.C. law, of course, reporters don't carry guns to news conferences -- and certainly not when the person at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-milbank/by-journalistic-custom-and-d-c-law-of-course-reporters-don-t-carry/) [Dana Milbank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-milbank/) > [The relationship between reader and characters is very difficult. It is even more peculiar than the relationship between the writer and his characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guillermo-cabrera-infante/the-relationship-between-reader-and-characters-is-very-difficult-it/) [Guillermo Cabrera Infante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guillermo-cabrera-infante/) > [I please myself with imagining a State at least which can afford to be just to all men, and to treat the individual with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-please-myself-with-imagining-a-state-at-least-which-can-afford-to/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The longer we live the more we must endure the elementary existence of men and women; and every brave heart must treat society asa…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-longer-we-live-the-more-we-must-endure-the-elementary-existence/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am interested in complex characters who are difficult and have numerous sides. But I would love to do a comedy role - something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-simon/i-am-interested-in-complex-characters-who-are-difficult-and-have/) [Eugene Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-simon/) > [I really am a character actor, in my heart of hearts, because I really do like developing characters and painting a past for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-mcdermott/i-really-am-a-character-actor-in-my-heart-of-hearts-because-i-really/) [Dylan McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-mcdermott/) > [I like developing characters who I find to have interesting psychology. Like politics and sex, but I'm really looking at bigger social problems that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mora-stephens/i-like-developing-characters-who-i-find-to-have-interesting/) [Mora Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mora-stephens/) ## More by Asa Butterfield > [I don't really have any dream roles. It's just things, which come up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/i-don-t-really-have-any-dream-roles-it-s-just-things-which-come-up/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [After many many months, I have finally got an iPhone. Rest of the world, here I come...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/after-many-many-months-i-have-finally-got-an-iphone-rest-of-the-world/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [When you're acting, you do have to prepare yourself for doing that. You have to leave behind - or you try and leave behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/when-you-re-acting-you-do-have-to-prepare-yourself-for-doing-that-you/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [I always think that trying to push yourself as an actor in a direction that you've never been before, developing characters which are more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/i-always-think-that-trying-to-push-yourself-as-an-actor-in-a/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [Doing something different, doing something original is always fun because there is a lot of creativity that comes with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/doing-something-different-doing-something-original-is-always-fun/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [I don't look for anything in particular, like a particular genre. It's all very much to do with the quality of the script and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/i-don-t-look-for-anything-in-particular-like-a-particular-genre-it-s/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [Seeing as I've had loads of press now...well, not that much, and some nominations, I reckon I probably want to be an actor now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/seeing-as-i-ve-had-loads-of-press-now-well-not-that-much-and-some/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [For me, I value connection a lot, talking to people and connecting. Don't get me wrong: I enjoy having my own time, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/for-me-i-value-connection-a-lot-talking-to-people-and-connecting-don/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [People think when you're moving in Zero-G, it's like moving in jelly. But it's not. You're completely free to move however fast as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/people-think-when-you-re-moving-in-zero-g-it-s-like-moving-in-jelly/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [I don't see myself acting for the rest of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/i-don-t-see-myself-acting-for-the-rest-of-my-life/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [All of the other books in the series... none of them are particularly like 'Ender's Game.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/all-of-the-other-books-in-the-series-none-of-them-are-particularly/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [Even though I'm not an American...VOTE OBAMA!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/even-though-i-m-not-an-american-vote-obama/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [To have that normality to come back to, to totally relax and not have to deal with a lot of the pressure that's put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/to-have-that-normality-to-come-back-to-to-totally-relax-and-not-have/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [I don't like to look for anything in particular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/i-don-t-like-to-look-for-anything-in-particular/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) > [Doing things that allow you to learn something are great and I love when you have an opportunity to discover a whole new part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-butterfield/doing-things-that-allow-you-to-learn-something-are-great-and-i-love/) [Asa Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) [Explore all 88 Asa Butterfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-butterfield/) ## More Actor quotes > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I always think that trying to push yourself as an actor in a direction that you've never been before, developing characters which are more difficult to get into the head of, or are more interesting and further away from yourself, is always a challenge. 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