--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What we did [shooting \"Fences\"] was we…" description: "\"What we did [shooting \"Fences\"] was we got young students from Carnegie Mellon, the acting and theater students, and we had them as our understudies. I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6d/denzel-washington-1345_acting_what-we-did-shooting-fences-was-we-got-y_2344171.jpg" --- # What we did \[shooting "Fences"\] was we got young students… ![“What we did [shooting "Fences"] was we got young students from Carnegie Mellon, the acting and theater students, and we had them as our understudies. I told them, "You have to be off book and be ready. If Viola [Davis] has to leave you have to jump in."” quote by Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6d/denzel-washington-1345_acting_what-we-did-shooting-fences-was-we-got-y_2344171.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6d/denzel-washington-1345_acting_what-we-did-shooting-fences-was-we-got-y_2344171.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6d/denzel-washington-1345_acting_what-we-did-shooting-fences-was-we-got-y_2344171.jpg) > “What we did \[shooting "Fences"\] was we got young students from Carnegie Mellon, the acting and theater students, and we had them as our understudies. I told them, "You have to be off book and be ready. If Viola \[Davis\] has to leave you have to jump in."” [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) ## 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 the importance of preparation and flexibility for performers, urging them to be ready to step in without relying on a script. **In simple terms:** Be prepared to improvise and fill in when needed. Key Takeaway Stay adaptable and ready. Themes theater improvisation teamwork Mood focused determined Type instructional motivational When to use this quote - rehearsals - live performances - emergency understudy - on‑the‑fly decisions Key Concepts acting preparedness collaboration Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance preparation with spontaneity? - When is it okay to deviate from the script? A Different Perspective Reliance on spontaneity can lead to mistakes if not well‑trained. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Carnegie mellon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carnegie-mellon/) [Fences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fences/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Understudies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understudies/) [Young students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-students/) ## Related quotes > [ We had a guy, a gentlemen by the name of Mr. Greenleaf who lived behind the house we were shooting \[Fences\], and he was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/we-had-a-guy-a-gentlemen-by-the-name-of-mr-greenleaf-who-lived-behind/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I have taught some master classes and things at my alma mater and sometimes at my kids' school. I will go in and talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-have-taught-some-master-classes-and-things-at-my-alma-mater-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [“One part of the study looked specifically at the impact on students involved in theater. Between ninth and twelfth grades, their reading levels increased…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sokolove/one-part-of-the-study-looked-specifically-at-the-impact-on-students/) [Michael Sokolove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sokolove/) > [ The thing that was forfeited in the garden was regained. God gave him \[Adam\] dominion over the works of His hand. God made him… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-g-lake/the-thing-that-was-forfeited-in-the-garden-was-regained-god-gave-him/) [John G. Lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-g-lake/) > [I dont know how it is now but the assistant stage manager had to understudy several parts. You had to be ready to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-ford/i-dont-know-how-it-is-now-but-the-assistant-stage-manager-had-to/) [Glenn Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-ford/) > [Understudies don't normally get invited to openings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/understudies-don-t-normally-get-invited-to-openings/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) > [All my graduation money went to paying for bartending classes so I could have a side gig. I bartended for two months before I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patina-miller/all-my-graduation-money-went-to-paying-for-bartending-classes-so-i/) [Patina Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patina-miller/) > [So the Clinton-Gore era culminates with an election as stained as the blue dress, a Democratic chorus complaining that the Constitution should not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/so-the-clinton-gore-era-culminates-with-an-election-as-stained-as-the/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [I got into musical comedy because of Shakespeare, not because of singing. They needed someone to understudy Richard Burton. I was also going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cullum/i-got-into-musical-comedy-because-of-shakespeare-not-because-of/) [John Cullum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cullum/) > [I think if you look at guys in the past, guys have performed better and had better careers if they were understudies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-bortles/i-think-if-you-look-at-guys-in-the-past-guys-have-performed-better/) [Blake Bortles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-bortles/) > [A baby is such a blank slate, like training the understudy for a role you're planning to leave. You truly hope your replacement will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/a-baby-is-such-a-blank-slate-like-training-the-understudy-for-a-role/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [ I was 23, and I was in L.A. while on hiatus \[as an understudy\] from Biloxi Blues on Broadway. The guy that I'd been… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lee/i-was-23-and-i-was-in-l-a-while-on-hiatus-as-an-understudy-from/) [David Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lee/) > [Drama began as the act of a whole community. Ideally, there would be no speculators. In practice, every member of the audience should feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/drama-began-as-the-act-of-a-whole-community-ideally-there-would-be-no/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [When you have strict censorship of the internet, young students cannot receive a full education. Their view of the world is imbalanced. There can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ai-weiwei/when-you-have-strict-censorship-of-the-internet-young-students-cannot/) [Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ai-weiwei/) > [It's always gratifying to hear from a passionate reader, and as a longtime educator, I'm especially pleased and heartened when that reader is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-alvarez/it-s-always-gratifying-to-hear-from-a-passionate-reader-and-as-a/) [Julia Alvarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-alvarez/) ## More by Denzel Washington > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [My father was a minister for 50 years with Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. We prayed about everything, every day, then he always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/my-father-was-a-minister-for-50-years-with-pentecostal-church-of-god/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Family is life; acting is making a living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/family-is-life-acting-is-making-a-living/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Talent comes from God. If you have been given some, then value it, cultivate it, work and develop it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/talent-comes-from-god-if-you-have-been-given-some-then-value-it/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [ I'll be working with Ridley's \[Scott\] brother, Tony, again, someone who needless to say we've had a great amount of success together. I trust… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-ll-be-working-with-ridley-s-scott-brother-tony-again-someone-who/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-found-that-nothing-in-life-is-worthwhile-unless-you-take-risks/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I and haven't been unemployed for 20 years. I'm an exception to the rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-and-haven-t-been-unemployed-for-20-years-i-m-an-exception-to-the/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I'm very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That's my cultural historical background, my genetic make-up, but it's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-m-very-proud-to-be-black-but-black-is-not-all-i-am-that-s-my/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [We'll all retire from life at some point. The great thing about acting is you don't necessarily have to retire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/we-ll-all-retire-from-life-at-some-point-the-great-thing-about-acting/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [It's strictly business. If I loan you $25 million, I want my money back. I don't want to hear about the social impact. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/it-s-strictly-business-if-i-loan-you-25-million-i-want-my-money-back/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [If you have an enemy, then learn and know your enemy, don't just be mad at him or her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/if-you-have-an-enemy-then-learn-and-know-your-enemy-don-t-just-be-mad/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [“He taught us that everyone has a good story and the more of others you understand, the better your grasp of human nature, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/he-taught-us-that-everyone-has-a-good-story-and-the-more-of-others/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Religion to me is when man gets ahold of spirituality: "My god is right, yours is wrong." Religion to me is the human condition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/religion-to-me-is-when-man-gets-ahold-of-spirituality-my-god-is-right/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I don't concern myself with award. I'd been to the party enough times to know it really didn't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-don-t-concern-myself-with-award-i-d-been-to-the-party-enough-times/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I've just directed a film called The Great Debaters, which is inspired by a true story about a young college debating team in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-ve-just-directed-a-film-called-the-great-debaters-which-is-inspired/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) [Explore all 253 Denzel Washington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) ## More Acting 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/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [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/) > [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/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. 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