---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you give the actors a problem 'I'm not…"
description: "\"If you give the actors a problem 'I'm not getting something out of the scene' and it's the writing, we just don't have the scene, if you give them the ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe3/bryan-singer-18893_actors_if-you-give-the-actors-a-problem-i-m-not_582979.jpg"
---

#  If you give the actors a problem 'I'm not getting…

![“If you give the actors a problem 'I'm not getting something out of the scene' and it's the writing, we just don't have the scene, if you give them the problem and just give them some key thoughts they can bring some great solutions to the equation too. So if it's just not perfect, or I'm not…” quote by Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe3/bryan-singer-18893_actors_if-you-give-the-actors-a-problem-i-m-not_582979.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe3/bryan-singer-18893_actors_if-you-give-the-actors-a-problem-i-m-not_582979.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe3/bryan-singer-18893_actors_if-you-give-the-actors-a-problem-i-m-not_582979.jpg)

> “If you give the actors a problem 'I'm not getting something out of the scene' and it's the writing, we just don't have the scene, if you give them the problem and just give them some key thoughts they can bring some great solutions to the equation too. So if it's just not perfect, or I'm not getting all I can, I'll open it up to them and say let's talk about it.”

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Directors should empower actors with core ideas, not micromanage, to improve scenes.

**In simple terms:** Give actors key thoughts, not rigid instructions.

Key Takeaway

Collaborate, trust actors’ creativity.

Themes

collaboration creative process leadership film making

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

advice professional

When to use this quote

- film set
- rehearsals
- creative workshops

Key Concepts

directing actor autonomy problem solving

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance guidance with freedom?
- When does collaboration hinder vision?

A Different Perspective

Actors may misinterpret vague guidance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Actors Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors-problem-4501040/) [Equations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equations/) [Getting Scene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-scene-4788426/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keys/) [Not perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-perfect/) [Perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfect/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Scene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scene/) [Scene Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scene-problem-4788425/) [Scene Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scene-writing-2065860/) [Solutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solutions/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [I'm learning to cope and not deny my own success, but I still think it's not happening a lot. I get nervous, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-belushi/i-m-learning-to-cope-and-not-deny-my-own-success-but-i-still-think-it/)

[John Belushi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-belushi/)

> [ I thought of the scene while writing scenes with Rebecca \[Hall\] and wrote it like an opening montage of showing where someone works. If… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-holofcener/i-thought-of-the-scene-while-writing-scenes-with-rebecca-hall-and/)

[Nicole Holofcener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-holofcener/)

> [...a story should be like a roller coaster. That is to say before writing a really cruel scene, I have to lift the people's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryukishi07/a-story-should-be-like-a-roller-coaster-that-is-to-say-before-writing/)

[Ryukishi07](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryukishi07/)

> [Any good director creates a playground. That's what they do. They hire the right actor, open the door and let them play because stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-landau/any-good-director-creates-a-playground-that-s-what-they-do-they-hire/)

[Martin Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-landau/)

> [have a much harder time writing stories than novels. I need the expansiveness of a novel and the propulsive energy it provides. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edan-lepucki/have-a-much-harder-time-writing-stories-than-novels-i-need-the/)

[Edan Lepucki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edan-lepucki/)

> [Because the writer must be a participant in the scene, while he's writing it — or at least taping it, or even sketching it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/because-the-writer-must-be-a-participant-in-the-scene-while-he-s/)

[Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/)

> [Since there must be chimeras, why is not perfection the chimera of all men?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/since-there-must-be-chimeras-why-is-not-perfection-the-chimera-of-all/)

[Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/)

> [I'm not perfect, I'm only human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-perfect-i-m-only-human/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I feel a little more tired than usual, ... Ive had to recover from everything, my illnesses and things this summer. Its not perfect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/i-feel-a-little-more-tired-than-usual-ive-had-to-recover-from/)

[Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/)

> [Humanity is not perfect in any fashion; no more in the case of evil than in that of good. The criminal has his virtues,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/humanity-is-not-perfect-in-any-fashion-no-more-in-the-case-of-evil/)

[Pierre Choderlos de Laclos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/)

> [We are not perfectly free until we live in pure hope. For when our hope is pure, it no longer trusts exclusively in human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-are-not-perfectly-free-until-we-live-in-pure-hope-for-when-our/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [I can say across Europe that many principles that have been taken for granted here around free speech, and around civil liberties and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-can-say-across-europe-that-many-principles-that-have-been-taken-for/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Look, we are human, we make mistakes. I will gladly shout from the rooftops that I am not perfect. Nor will I ever be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianna-agron/look-we-are-human-we-make-mistakes-i-will-gladly-shout-from-the/)

[Dianna Agron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianna-agron/)

> [I'm not the one to back down and I don't give up, and believe me, I'm not perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-staley/i-m-not-the-one-to-back-down-and-i-don-t-give-up-and-believe-me-i-m/)

[Dawn Staley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-staley/)

> [The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time, because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worthwhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kulwicki/the-pursuit-of-perfection-is-frustrating-and-a-waste-of-time-because/)

[Alan Kulwicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kulwicki/)

## More by Bryan Singer

> [I identify with Superman. I am adopted, I am an only child, and I love the idea that he comes from another world, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/i-identify-with-superman-i-am-adopted-i-am-an-only-child-and-i-love/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [What we call 'evil' doesn't necessarily deserve any kind of respect or understanding, by any means; it just deserves an acknowledgement of its complexity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/what-we-call-evil-doesn-t-necessarily-deserve-any-kind-of-respect-or/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [Kubrick showed us something special. Every film was a challenge, and a direct assault on cinema's conventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/kubrick-showed-us-something-special-every-film-was-a-challenge-and-a/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [I can't seem to tweet without misspelling something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/i-can-t-seem-to-tweet-without-misspelling-something/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [I love Hugh Jackman. Love Hugh Jackman. He's the coolest. He's one of the coolest actors I've ever worked with, and I'll do anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/i-love-hugh-jackman-love-hugh-jackman-he-s-the-coolest-he-s-one-of/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [Happy Holidays from the Southern Hemisphere where the toilets flush in the opposite direction!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/happy-holidays-from-the-southern-hemisphere-where-the-toilets-flush/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [The 3D, it changes the way you shoot in a way, especially when you're shooting live action 3D elements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/the-3d-it-changes-the-way-you-shoot-in-a-way-especially-when-you-re/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [I'm actually part of a number of minorities. I grew up being a horribly awkward kid. A terrible student. And now I find myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/i-m-actually-part-of-a-number-of-minorities-i-grew-up-being-a/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [You just have to trust your instincts and hope that if someone doesn't like your idea, you can prove them wrong in the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/you-just-have-to-trust-your-instincts-and-hope-that-if-someone-doesn/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [I think television is moving more into movies, particularly with serialization and almost cinematic proportions and expectations. A show like 'Game of Thrones' is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/i-think-television-is-moving-more-into-movies-particularly-with/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [We don't live in the world of reality, we live in the world of how we perceive reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/we-don-t-live-in-the-world-of-reality-we-live-in-the-world-of-how-we/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [I know what to do with the camera because I see the giant in the camera when I'm operating it live on the set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/i-know-what-to-do-with-the-camera-because-i-see-the-giant-in-the/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [This is a darker Lex too, because he's been in prison and he wants revenge. He's not playing around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/this-is-a-darker-lex-too-because-he-s-been-in-prison-and-he-wants/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [There's no point in making films unless you intend to show us something special, otherwise just go out and watch a play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/there-s-no-point-in-making-films-unless-you-intend-to-show-us/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

> [If you want to give me Robert Downey Jr in a metal suit and have him join the X-Men, then yes, let’s go head-to-head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/if-you-want-to-give-me-robert-downey-jr-in-a-metal-suit-and-have-him/)

[Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

[Explore all 34 Bryan Singer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/)

## More Actors quotes

> [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/)

[Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/)

> [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/)

[Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/)

> [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/)

[Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/)

> [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/)

[Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/)

> [Forget the credit, they (male actors) take all the money as well. We don't get paid even one-third of what male actors get. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kangana-ranaut/forget-the-credit-they-male-actors-take-all-the-money-as-well-we-don/)

[Kangana Ranaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kangana-ranaut/)

> [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/)

[Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/)

> [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/)

> [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/)

[Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/)

> [When we watch a film as actors, you have to understand that we always see much more than what's on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/when-we-watch-a-film-as-actors-you-have-to-understand-that-we-always/)

[Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/)

> [As actors, you become an expert at starting over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-actors-you-become-an-expert-at-starting-over/)

[Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/)

> [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/)

[Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/)

> [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/)

[Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/)

> [A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. Being an actor is about changing who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/a-rapper-is-about-being-completely-true-to-yourself-being-an-actor-is/)

[Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/)

> [I've been a professional actor for almost 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-perlman/i-ve-been-a-professional-actor-for-almost-40-years/)

[Ron Perlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-perlman/)

> [American actors are coy. We all have pricks and cunts, or are you different from the rest of us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/american-actors-are-coy-we-all-have-pricks-and-cunts-or-are-you/)

[Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/)

[Browse all 11,394 Actors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If you give the actors a problem 'I'm not getting something out of the scene' and it's the writing, we just don't have the scene, if you give them the problem and just give them some key thoughts they can bring some great solutions to the equation too. So if it's just not perfect, or I'm not getting all I can, I'll open it up to them and say let's talk about it.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Bryan Singer"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/if-you-give-the-actors-a-problem-i-m-not-getting-something-out-of-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Actors"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/if-you-give-the-actors-a-problem-i-m-not-getting-something-out-of-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe3/bryan-singer-18893_actors_if-you-give-the-actors-a-problem-i-m-not_582979.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe3/bryan-singer-18893_actors_if-you-give-the-actors-a-problem-i-m-not_582979.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe3/bryan-singer-18893_actors_if-you-give-the-actors-a-problem-i-m-not_582979.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If you give the actors a problem 'I'm not getting something out of the scene' and it's the writing, we just…” — Bryan Singer",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Bryan Singer",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If you give the actors a...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/if-you-give-the-actors-a-problem-i-m-not-getting-something-out-of-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/if-you-give-the-actors-a-problem-i-m-not-getting-something-out-of-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
