Actor Quote by Elizabeth Taylor
“I find it rather tedious working with some actors who have to go into a corner and bounce up and down, shake their hands and arms, saying to the director, "Just a second - I'll be ready in a few minutes, " while all the other actors are waiting around to get in. Then they say, "OK! I'm ready now." And then they come on and do it exactly the same way they've done it in rehearsal.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Hollywood Magazine, 1975
The speaker is frustrated with actors who waste time with repetitive, unnecessary gestures before a scene, causing delays for others.
In simple terms: Actors' needless rituals cause delays.
Key Takeaway
Minimize pre‑scene rituals.
Themes
frustration
professionalism
efficiency
Mood
irritated
impatient
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- film set
- theatre rehearsal
- live broadcast
- team collaboration
Key Concepts
time management
performance anxiety
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a director balance efficiency with actors’ preparation needs?
- What alternative warm‑up methods could satisfy both speed and performance?
A Different Perspective
Such rituals may be essential for some actors to get into character, so eliminating them could affect performance quality.
