--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Something people say about acting is that…" description: "\"Something people say about acting is that acting is listening. But I think that writing is listening, too. That you really have to listen to what are t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62e/greta-gerwig-2602_acting_something-people-say-about-acting-is-tha_139914.jpg" --- # Something people say about acting is that acting is… ![“Something people say about acting is that acting is listening. But I think that writing is listening, too. That you really have to listen to what are they saying and what they're communicating to you. And so, a lot of it is just getting stuff down.” quote by Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62e/greta-gerwig-2602_acting_something-people-say-about-acting-is-tha_139914.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62e/greta-gerwig-2602_acting_something-people-say-about-acting-is-tha_139914.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62e/greta-gerwig-2602_acting_something-people-say-about-acting-is-tha_139914.jpg) > “Something people say about acting is that acting is listening. But I think that writing is listening, too. That you really have to listen to what are they saying and what they're communicating to you. And so, a lot of it is just getting stuff down.” [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing, like acting, requires deep listening to internal and external cues before expression. **In simple terms:** Writing is listening to ideas and emotions. Key Takeaway Practice attentive listening before writing. Themes creativity communication mindfulness Mood thoughtful inspirational Type creative philosophical When to use this quote - scriptwriting - journalism - novel writing - personal essays Key Concepts active listening creative process Questions to Reflect On - What does listening reveal about your ideas? - How can you balance listening and action? A Different Perspective Over‑analysis can stall the creative flow. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I know actors who say acting is acting, but I love the live-ness of an audience. I love feeling the energy of a room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-waller-bridge/i-know-actors-who-say-acting-is-acting-but-i-love-the-live-ness-of-an/) [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-waller-bridge/) > [Acting is about listening, and that's something that took me awhile. You almost don't have to learn your lines, if you listen to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mcgrath/acting-is-about-listening-and-that-s-something-that-took-me-awhile/) [Mark McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mcgrath/) > [When I'm in writing mode I tend not to listen to music. I usually have a gestation period before I start writing. When I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-temple/when-i-m-in-writing-mode-i-tend-not-to-listen-to-music-i-usually-have/) [Luke Temple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-temple/) > [I've learned a lot about writing from listening to my students talk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/i-ve-learned-a-lot-about-writing-from-listening-to-my-students-talk/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [I think that's more a reflection of the fact I've never been a student of any particular school of writing, or even listening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/feist/i-think-that-s-more-a-reflection-of-the-fact-i-ve-never-been-a/) [Feist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/feist/) > [I must say acting was good training for the political life which lay ahead for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-reagan/i-must-say-acting-was-good-training-for-the-political-life-which-lay/) [Nancy Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-reagan/) > [I would rather do a play because it's instantaneous. You go on the stage, and you know whether it's happening or not. Somebody asked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-durning/i-would-rather-do-a-play-because-it-s-instantaneous-you-go-on-the/) [Charles Durning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-durning/) > [I love acting so much, but listening to music and making music has been the greatest savior for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lola-kirke/i-love-acting-so-much-but-listening-to-music-and-making-music-has/) [Lola Kirke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lola-kirke/) > [The big secret in acting is listening to people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-wallach/the-big-secret-in-acting-is-listening-to-people/) [Eli Wallach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-wallach/) > [The key to acting has much more to do with listening than with talking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-leo/the-key-to-acting-has-much-more-to-do-with-listening-than-with-talking/) [Melissa Leo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-leo/) > [Acting is about listening and reacting. John Wayne was right: Acting is just reacting. You don't have to do much - as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/acting-is-about-listening-and-reacting-john-wayne-was-right-acting-is/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [Listening is harder than just acting. Listening is the hardest part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-ratner/listening-is-harder-than-just-acting-listening-is-the-hardest-part/) [Brett Ratner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-ratner/) > [I learnt how acting is more about listening to the other person; it is about reaction. You learn to be a foil, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-macken/i-learnt-how-acting-is-more-about-listening-to-the-other-person-it-is/) [Eoin Macken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-macken/) > [If you can hear music, you can hear the musicality of the way someone speaks. It's easier to nail down the way that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-benanti/if-you-can-hear-music-you-can-hear-the-musicality-of-the-way-someone/) [Laura Benanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-benanti/) > [I ask my assistants if they're retarded all the time. When the camera is on you, of course, actors have the ability to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-ratner/i-ask-my-assistants-if-they-re-retarded-all-the-time-when-the-camera/) [Brett Ratner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-ratner/) ## More by Greta Gerwig > [I didn't know the city at all, but I was so happy to be in New York I cried. I was so excited.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/i-didn-t-know-the-city-at-all-but-i-was-so-happy-to-be-in-new-york-i/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [I think I've always wanted to direct, but I didn't go to film school. I was lucky enough to work in movies, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/i-think-i-ve-always-wanted-to-direct-but-i-didn-t-go-to-film-school-i/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [You only get one life, so you might as well feel all the feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/you-only-get-one-life-so-you-might-as-well-feel-all-the-feelings/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [I always have a soft spot in my heart for New York designers and independent designers, people who are doing the fashion equivalent of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/i-always-have-a-soft-spot-in-my-heart-for-new-york-designers-and/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [I don't really decide what the core of the story is before I write. I write to figure out what the story is. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/i-don-t-really-decide-what-the-core-of-the-story-is-before-i-write-i/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [I don't do well when I don't work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/i-don-t-do-well-when-i-don-t-work/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [Sacramento is where I grew up, so I felt like it had not been given its proper due in cinema.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/sacramento-is-where-i-grew-up-so-i-felt-like-it-had-not-been-given/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [I'm interested in characters that have just a touch of madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/i-m-interested-in-characters-that-have-just-a-touch-of-madness/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [As a kid, I was a big reader. Books and theater were the way I understood the world, and also the way I organized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/as-a-kid-i-was-a-big-reader-books-and-theater-were-the-way-i/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [Movies are now more often watched on the small screen anyway. But at least for me, what got lost in that is the difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/movies-are-now-more-often-watched-on-the-small-screen-anyway-but-at/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > ['A People's History of the United States' was actually a very big book for me. I read it in high school, and I felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/a-people-s-history-of-the-united-states-was-actually-a-very-big-book/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [I love New York, but it's a rough city. It's not dangerous now the way it was in the 70's or the 80's, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/i-love-new-york-but-it-s-a-rough-city-it-s-not-dangerous-now-the-way/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [There's an economy in sports that I always think is a useful metaphor for acting. You have an objective. You're trying to win, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/there-s-an-economy-in-sports-that-i-always-think-is-a-useful-metaphor/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [When I was a kid, I used to do my homework in the living room, where there was a picture window. I was hoping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/when-i-was-a-kid-i-used-to-do-my-homework-in-the-living-room-where/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) > [One of the great advantages of my time spent in movies and in basically every role possible, both in front of the camera and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-gerwig/one-of-the-great-advantages-of-my-time-spent-in-movies-and-in/) [Greta Gerwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) [Explore all 158 Greta Gerwig quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-gerwig/) ## 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. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Something people say about acting is that acting is listening. But I think that writing is listening, too. That you really have to listen to what are they saying and what they're communicating to you. 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