--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My action follows my characters. If a…" description: "\"My action follows my characters. If a character is a cop, you cannot be posing all the time, you cannot fly off the roof because it doesn't make any se..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fb/donnie-yen-12000_action_my-action-follows-my-characters-if-a-cha_1194511.jpg" --- # My action follows my characters. If a character is a cop… ![“My action follows my characters. If a character is a cop, you cannot be posing all the time, you cannot fly off the roof because it doesn't make any sense - it's not practical.” quote by Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fb/donnie-yen-12000_action_my-action-follows-my-characters-if-a-cha_1194511.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fb/donnie-yen-12000_action_my-action-follows-my-characters-if-a-cha_1194511.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fb/donnie-yen-12000_action_my-action-follows-my-characters-if-a-cha_1194511.jpg) > “My action follows my characters. If a character is a cop, you cannot be posing all the time, you cannot fly off the roof because it doesn't make any sense - it's not practical.” [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Action must serve the story; stunts should be believable and fit character roles. **In simple terms:** Stunts need narrative purpose. Key Takeaway Align action with character logic. Themes film authenticity craft Mood practical focused Type instructional analytical When to use this quote - action choreography - directing - screenwriting Key Concepts storytelling physical performance Questions to Reflect On - How does realism affect audience immersion? - When is exaggerated action acceptable? A Different Perspective May limit creative freedom for spectacle. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Cop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cop/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [The structure will automatically provide the pattern for the action which follows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-curtis/the-structure-will-automatically-provide-the-pattern-for-the-action/) [Donald Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-curtis/) > [If you have a great characters, you can always have your character do nothing or do something stupid, and people will still follow them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-magary/if-you-have-a-great-characters-you-can-always-have-your-character-do/) [Drew Magary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-magary/) > [I like characters with character, not just pretty faces. 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But I've always been somebody who is much more invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-leo/it-becomes-more-and-more-popular-to-call-actors-who-play-characters/) [Melissa Leo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-leo/) > [I think the idea is to try and understand everything about the characters and where the character is coming from, from their point of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-think-the-idea-is-to-try-and-understand-everything-about-the/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [I don't make comparisons between any movies. I compare characters. All my actions, performances, all my films, they are driven by the characteristic. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/i-don-t-make-comparisons-between-any-movies-i-compare-characters-all/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I like to stay within the context of the character's background. If he's a cop, I have to make sure the audience is convinced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/i-like-to-stay-within-the-context-of-the-character-s-background-if-he/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) ## More by Donnie Yen > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I think action movies bring more excitement than tears, but I always want to take it to another level. I mean, I think if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/i-think-action-movies-bring-more-excitement-than-tears-but-i-always/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I try to update my arsenal constantly. Learning different martial arts since childhood. To understand what's out there. To really be in tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/i-try-to-update-my-arsenal-constantly-learning-different-martial-arts/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I think a lot of people don't realize that martial arts are just an expression like anything else. It's just that most people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/i-think-a-lot-of-people-don-t-realize-that-martial-arts-are-just-an/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Martial art is a form of expression, an expression from your inner self to your hands and legs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/martial-art-is-a-form-of-expression-an-expression-from-your-inner/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [In Hong Kong, particularly, we craft this art for decades. The action choreographer actually is the action director. He takes over and he choreographs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/in-hong-kong-particularly-we-craft-this-art-for-decades-the-action/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I'm a very emotional guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/i-m-a-very-emotional-guy/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I like to stay within the context of the character's background. If he's a cop, I have to make sure the audience is convinced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/i-like-to-stay-within-the-context-of-the-character-s-background-if-he/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [As an action director, I always try to bring something fresh and new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/as-an-action-director-i-always-try-to-bring-something-fresh-and-new/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [When audiences look at an action actor like myself, sometimes we are very easily stereotyped or characterized as one type. They forget that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/when-audiences-look-at-an-action-actor-like-myself-sometimes-we-are/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Still, as much as I wish Ballistic Kiss could be a better film, the recognition it gained from critics and at festivals speaks for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/still-as-much-as-i-wish-ballistic-kiss-could-be-a-better-film-the/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [From my experience as an actor, choreographer, action director, and producer, I understand the elements and the dynamics of being a film maker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/from-my-experience-as-an-actor-choreographer-action-director-and/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I certainly hope 'Dragon' can leave some legacy behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/i-certainly-hope-dragon-can-leave-some-legacy-behind/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [A period film, where you, for example, where you have a traditional wardrobes, you are bound to act a certain way. But in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/a-period-film-where-you-for-example-where-you-have-a-traditional/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [For years, I looked to Bruce Lee as a mentor as being a Chinese and Asian man living in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/for-years-i-looked-to-bruce-lee-as-a-mentor-as-being-a-chinese-and/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) [Explore all 57 Donnie Yen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My action follows my characters. 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