--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the idea, first and foremost, is…" description: "\"I think the idea, first and foremost, is to understand that people may label these characters as villains, but at the end of the day I have to fall in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c4/edi-gathegi-54122_being-real_i-think-the-idea-first-and-foremost-is-t_2334589.jpg" --- # I think the idea, first and foremost, is to understand… ![“I think the idea, first and foremost, is to understand that people may label these characters as villains, but at the end of the day I have to fall in love with the characters that I play. For me, they have to be real characters with real objectives, and driving forces. So they're all different.” quote by Edi Gathegi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c4/edi-gathegi-54122_being-real_i-think-the-idea-first-and-foremost-is-t_2334589.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c4/edi-gathegi-54122_being-real_i-think-the-idea-first-and-foremost-is-t_2334589.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c4/edi-gathegi-54122_being-real_i-think-the-idea-first-and-foremost-is-t_2334589.jpg) > “I think the idea, first and foremost, is to understand that people may label these characters as villains, but at the end of the day I have to fall in love with the characters that I play. For me, they have to be real characters with real objectives, and driving forces. So they're all different.” [Edi Gathegi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edi-gathegi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors should empathize with any role, treating villains as fully realized individuals with motivations. **In simple terms:** Treat every character as real. Key Takeaway Find humanity in every role you play. Themes acting empathy character development Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - theatre - film - role preparation - character analysis Key Concepts motivation psychology storytelling Questions to Reflect On - What drives a villain’s actions? - How can you humanize a traditionally evil character? A Different Perspective Focusing only on villainy can limit performance depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-real/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Characters Villains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-villains-5628192/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Driving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driving/) [Driving force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driving-force/) [End of the day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-the-day/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall/) [Fall in love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall-in-love/) [Falling in love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/falling-in-love/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Labels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labels/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-characters-235380/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Objectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectives/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-character/) [Real Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-characters-286665/) [The end of the day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-end-of-the-day/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Villain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/villain/) [Villains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/villains/) ## Related quotes > [TV is a safe place to develop real characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-liman/tv-is-a-safe-place-to-develop-real-characters/) [Doug Liman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-liman/) > [The only form of fiction in which real characters do not seem out of place is history. In novels they are detestable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-only-form-of-fiction-in-which-real-characters-do-not-seem-out-of/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [In my horror movies, I was always trying to deal with real characters and real character drama played by good actors... Laura Linney, Ethan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-derrickson/in-my-horror-movies-i-was-always-trying-to-deal-with-real-characters/) [Scott Derrickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-derrickson/) > [MASH offered real characters and everybody identified with them because they had such soul. The humor was intelligent and it always assumed that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-swit/mash-offered-real-characters-and-everybody-identified-with-them/) [Loretta Swit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-swit/) > [I love playing real characters... if they're not around anymore it's helpful because you won't get sued! But there's so much research involved and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-serkis/i-love-playing-real-characters-if-they-re-not-around-anymore-it-s/) [Andy Serkis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-serkis/) > [I wanted to create a game (EarthBound) with real characters; characters whom players would recognize in the people around them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shigesato-itoi/i-wanted-to-create-a-game-earthbound-with-real-characters-characters/) [Shigesato Itoi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shigesato-itoi/) > [We cannot judge either of the feelings or of the characters of men with perfect accuracy from their actions or their appearance in public;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-edgeworth/we-cannot-judge-either-of-the-feelings-or-of-the-characters-of-men/) [Maria Edgeworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-edgeworth/) > [Villains are fun to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edi-gathegi/villains-are-fun-to-play/) [Edi Gathegi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edi-gathegi/) > [I just love real characters; they're not pretentious, and every emotion is on the surface, they're regular working people. Their likes, their dislikes, their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-russell/i-just-love-real-characters-they-re-not-pretentious-and-every-emotion/) [David O. Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-russell/) > [M\*A\*S\*H offered real characters and everybody identified with them because they had such soul. The humor was intelligent and it always assumed that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-swit/m-a-s-h-offered-real-characters-and-everybody-identified-with-them/) [Loretta Swit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-swit/) > [The audience in the country has evolved, and for them, it is about real characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pankaj-tripathi/the-audience-in-the-country-has-evolved-and-for-them-it-is-about-real/) [Pankaj Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pankaj-tripathi/) > [I populated 'The Bourne Identity' with real characters from American history, specifically characters from the Iran-Contra affair, which my father ran the investigation of.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-liman/i-populated-the-bourne-identity-with-real-characters-from-american/) [Doug Liman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-liman/) > [The most real characters in a great play are those who are so meticulously drawn that the audience could predict how many pairs of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hassett/the-most-real-characters-in-a-great-play-are-those-who-are-so/) [Kevin Hassett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hassett/) > [I believe that to create real-seeming characters, the writer must be willing to go on a voyage of self-exploration. It can be revealing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-paretsky/i-believe-that-to-create-real-seeming-characters-the-writer-must-be/) [Sara Paretsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-paretsky/) > [I've played several real characters, and I've always found it very difficult because you don't want to do an impersonation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-goldwyn/i-ve-played-several-real-characters-and-i-ve-always-found-it-very/) [Tony Goldwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-goldwyn/) ## More by Edi Gathegi > [I have died in enough TV and films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edi-gathegi/i-have-died-in-enough-tv-and-films/) [Edi Gathegi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edi-gathegi/) > [I am sort of an adventurer. I like to explore new places. I don't get to travel as often as I would like but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edi-gathegi/i-am-sort-of-an-adventurer-i-like-to-explore-new-places-i-don-t-get/) [Edi Gathegi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edi-gathegi/) > [Villains are fun to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edi-gathegi/villains-are-fun-to-play/) [Edi Gathegi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edi-gathegi/) > [New York is the only city that I have ever lived in that I have felt at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edi-gathegi/new-york-is-the-only-city-that-i-have-ever-lived-in-that-i-have-felt/) [Edi Gathegi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edi-gathegi/) > [I think that different actors go about their preparation differently, but when it comes to acting, I use my imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edi-gathegi/i-think-that-different-actors-go-about-their-preparation-differently/) [Edi Gathegi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edi-gathegi/) [Explore all 6 Edi Gathegi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edi-gathegi/) ## More Being real quotes > [Don't be in such a hurry to condemn a person because she doesn't do what you do, or think as you think or as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcom-x/don-t-be-in-such-a-hurry-to-condemn-a-person-because-she-doesn-t-do/) [Malcom X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcom-x/) > [Well, I don't want to be king, I want to be real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/well-i-don-t-want-to-be-king-i-want-to-be-real/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [Going through unknown people's profiles and judging them by their pictures is totally normal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pradeep-chandra/going-through-unknown-people-s-profiles-and-judging-them-by-their/) [Pradeep Chandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pradeep-chandra/) > [When you are important to another person, they will always find a way to make time for you - no excuses, no lies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-are-important-to-another-person-they-will-always-find-a-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you speak the truth watch the fuck niggas start hating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-speak-the-truth-watch-the-fuck-niggas-start-hating/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think about everyone in my life that was harsh with me or who gave me tough love and told me things that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlamagne-tha-god/i-think-about-everyone-in-my-life-that-was-harsh-with-me-or-who-gave/) [Charlamagne Tha God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlamagne-tha-god/) > [Laugh at every mistakes and realize that no one is perfect. We are human. All of us are imperfect, so there's no point judging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/laugh-at-every-mistakes-and-realize-that-no-one-is-perfect-we-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Give yourself a chance to live because nobody will live it for you when you die](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-yourself-a-chance-to-live-because-nobody-will-live-it-for-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You've noticed a change huh ? She doesn't text you as often . She never calls you anymore . When she does text you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delaney-ridnour/you-ve-noticed-a-change-huh-she-doesn-t-text-you-as-often-she-never/) [Delaney Ridnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delaney-ridnour/) > [I wish that one day you would finally realize that the person that is willing to love you forever is the person you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khat-leen/i-wish-that-one-day-you-would-finally-realize-that-the-person-that-is/) [Khat Leen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khat-leen/) > [..If you love her/him then why give up, nobody said love was easy and nobody said love was hard... a relationship is what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tevin-bostic/if-you-love-her-him-then-why-give-up-nobody-said-love-was-easy-and/) [TEVIN BOSTIC](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tevin-bostic/) > [I learned a tremendous amount about what was important to me as a head coach in that I was not in charge. I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-carroll/i-learned-a-tremendous-amount-about-what-was-important-to-me-as-a/) [Pete Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-carroll/) > [Im loving you not because you're giving me what I need, Instead I'm loving you because you're giving me this feeling I never thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/im-loving-you-not-because-you-re-giving-me-what-i-need-instead-i-m/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) > [Be who you want to be, not what people want to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-who-you-want-to-be-not-what-people-want-to-see/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There should be in eloquence that which is pleasing and that which is real; but that which is pleasing should itself be real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/there-should-be-in-eloquence-that-which-is-pleasing-and-that-which-is/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) [Browse all 1,607 Being real quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-real/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think the idea, first and foremost, is to understand that people may label these characters as villains, but at the end of the day I have to fall in love with the characters that I play. 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