--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I'm inside the character, I feel…" description: "\"When I'm inside the character, I feel like I'm a different person, and then when you see that character on screen and I see that it's me, I find that d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/gillian-anderson-4381_character_when-i-m-inside-the-character-i-feel-lik_2717498.jpg" --- # When I'm inside the character, I feel like I'm a different… ![“When I'm inside the character, I feel like I'm a different person, and then when you see that character on screen and I see that it's me, I find that disappointing.” quote by Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/gillian-anderson-4381_character_when-i-m-inside-the-character-i-feel-lik_2717498.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/gillian-anderson-4381_character_when-i-m-inside-the-character-i-feel-lik_2717498.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3d/gillian-anderson-4381_character_when-i-m-inside-the-character-i-feel-lik_2717498.jpg) > “When I'm inside the character, I feel like I'm a different person, and then when you see that character on screen and I see that it's me, I find that disappointing.” [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Embodied acting can create a disconnect when the audience sees the performer as the character, leading to disappointment. **In simple terms:** Playing a role can feel like being someone else, but seeing yourself on screen can be jarring. Key Takeaway Accept the duality of performance and audience perception. Themes identity performance audience perception disappointment Mood reflective thoughtful Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - theatre - film acting - character immersion - audience expectation Key Concepts method acting self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - How does audience identification affect your performance? - Can you separate your self from the character? A Different Perspective The emotional impact depends on how strongly the actor identifies with the role. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-feel/) [Character Screen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-screen-1054177/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-person/) [Disappointing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointing/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Inside Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inside-character-931347/) [Person Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-character/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Screens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screens/) ## Related quotes > [What I like doing is being a different person. Every character is kind of different. So being able to be that person and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-breslin/what-i-like-doing-is-being-a-different-person-every-character-is-kind/) [Abigail Breslin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-breslin/) > [During the first season, I didn't know who the hell I was, let alone who this character was. I feel stronger as a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/during-the-first-season-i-didn-t-know-who-the-hell-i-was-let-alone/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I've never played a gay character on screen, so that would be interesting. 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A novel can go inside the room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/journalism-can-go-right-up-to-the-door-of-the-room-in-which-the/) [David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/) > [When you're the guy inside of a character and you've lived with it for almost two years, you're always a bit defensive about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-amboyer/when-you-re-the-guy-inside-of-a-character-and-you-ve-lived-with-it/) [Dan Amboyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-amboyer/) > [I was always amazed the way people would come in looking one way and transform completely to the point where I couldn't recognize their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-keys/i-was-always-amazed-the-way-people-would-come-in-looking-one-way-and/) [Alicia Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alicia-keys/) > [A character does seem to have a life of its own, but I have what I'd describe as a very fluid relationship with them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-gloeckner/a-character-does-seem-to-have-a-life-of-its-own-but-i-have-what-i-d/) [Phoebe Gloeckner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-gloeckner/) > [As a reader, you’re often inside one or more character heads, so you know what they’re feeling, even if they can’t exactly say it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-schwalbe/as-a-reader-you-re-often-inside-one-or-more-character-heads-so-you/) [Will Schwalbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-schwalbe/) ## More by Gillian Anderson > [I used to take myself very seriously, now it's all just funny. You gotta laugh at yourself. You know, most of the time when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-used-to-take-myself-very-seriously-now-it-s-all-just-funny-you/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I was arrested on graduation night for breaking and entering into the high school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-was-arrested-on-graduation-night-for-breaking-and-entering-into-the/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I wouldn't say I'm normal. But I'm relatively stable. When I think of normal, I think of mediocrity, and mediocrity scares the f--- out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-wouldn-t-say-i-m-normal-but-i-m-relatively-stable-when-i-think-of/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [There is this view that if you are not tormented you cannot be vital and creative. 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And, I think she has become stronger and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-think-she-definitely-has-i-think-um-her-and-mulder-s-relationship/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [Let's practice what we preach, and with the acceptance that we expect from others, let's stop being so damn judgmental and crucifying everyone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/let-s-practice-what-we-preach-and-with-the-acceptance-that-we-expect/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I've been very careful. I've gone through pretty much everything. I'm very careful not to let go of the prized possessions, or too much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-ve-been-very-careful-i-ve-gone-through-pretty-much-everything-i-m/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [Only once have I taken on a role where I felt that I didn't quite understand her, but I said yes anyway. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/only-once-have-i-taken-on-a-role-where-i-felt-that-i-didn-t-quite/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I hope everyone that is reading this is having a really good day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-hope-everyone-that-is-reading-this-is-having-a-really-good-day/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I go through periods when I feel confident and then I'm apt to be impulsive. But then I go through other times where I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-go-through-periods-when-i-feel-confident-and-then-i-m-apt-to-be/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [You know, it's a big version of an episode, which I think is necessary at this point because we're drawing in people who not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/you-know-it-s-a-big-version-of-an-episode-which-i-think-is-necessary/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I was a good liar as a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-was-a-good-liar-as-a-child/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [After I did nine years of a television series, I didn't want to do anything really that involved going to a set and being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/after-i-did-nine-years-of-a-television-series-i-didn-t-want-to-do/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I could see It's a Wonderful Life over and over and over again. It's just something. I have actually seen it over and over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-could-see-it-s-a-wonderful-life-over-and-over-and-over-again-it-s/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) [Explore all 112 Gillian Anderson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. 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You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) [David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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