--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not a method actor, I don't write my…" description: "\"I'm not a method actor, I don't write my character's history or all those kinds of things. I'm more about the 90 percent of the brain that is subconsci..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa-15459_actors_i-m-not-a-method-actor-i-don-t-write-my_2345434.jpg" --- # I'm not a method actor, I don't write my character's… ![“I'm not a method actor, I don't write my character's history or all those kinds of things. I'm more about the 90 percent of the brain that is subconscious. I like to just pick certain pieces, let it soak in, and then let it kind of emerge out.” quote by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa-15459_actors_i-m-not-a-method-actor-i-don-t-write-my_2345434.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa-15459_actors_i-m-not-a-method-actor-i-don-t-write-my_2345434.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa-15459_actors_i-m-not-a-method-actor-i-don-t-write-my_2345434.jpg) > “I'm not a method actor, I don't write my character's history or all those kinds of things. I'm more about the 90 percent of the brain that is subconscious. I like to just pick certain pieces, let it soak in, and then let it kind of emerge out.” [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes relying on subconscious intuition over scripted backstory, allowing authentic performance to emerge. **In simple terms:** He trusts instinct more than detailed character history. Key Takeaway Cultivate intuition in creative work. Themes acting intuition subconscious creativity method process Mood introspective inquisitive pragmatic Type practical creative When to use this quote - theatre rehearsals - film auditions - creative workshops Key Concepts psychology of performance improvisation embodied cognition Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance intuition with preparation? - When does instinct fail? A Different Perspective Subconscious approach may lack consistency across roles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Method actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/method-actor/) [Subconscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subconscious/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Personally, I’ve gotten so that I now use a kind of two-track analysis. 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I do research when I feel I don't have enough experience for the part I'm playing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-robbins/i-wouldn-t-say-i-m-a-method-actor-i-do-research-when-i-feel-i-don-t/) [Tim Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-robbins/) > [I was a serious method actor until I visited this site.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/i-was-a-serious-method-actor-until-i-visited-this-site/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [I'm not a method actor. I try to stay separate but to imagine what they'd feel, to put myself in their shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tuppence-middleton/i-m-not-a-method-actor-i-try-to-stay-separate-but-to-imagine-what/) [Tuppence Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tuppence-middleton/) ## More by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa > [The Hawaiian language needs to be studied globally as a language of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/the-hawaiian-language-needs-to-be-studied-globally-as-a-language-of/) [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/) > [I used to be a street performer, and performances on Venice Beach, it's like playing the Apollo: They let you know if they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/i-used-to-be-a-street-performer-and-performances-on-venice-beach-it-s/) [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/) > [In every aspect of society, including business and anywhere that creativity can be used, we can be - or we used to be, anyway…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/in-every-aspect-of-society-including-business-and-anywhere-that/) [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/) > [The worst thing that can happen is that the effect that they create behind you is bigger than the performance you're putting out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/the-worst-thing-that-can-happen-is-that-the-effect-that-they-create/) [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/) > [Kids keep getting wiser younger, which is dangerous, and adults need to stop taking themselves too seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/kids-keep-getting-wiser-younger-which-is-dangerous-and-adults-need-to/) [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/) > [I was clear: "I don't want to play businessmen with bifocal glasses and cameras, so if you're going to give me an Asian bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/i-was-clear-i-don-t-want-to-play-businessmen-with-bifocal-glasses-and/) [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/) > [You release more toxins from the body through a deep exhale than you do from anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/you-release-more-toxins-from-the-body-through-a-deep-exhale-than-you/) [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/) > [It's not whether you fall or make a mistake, it's what you do when you fall. 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