--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On the surface, it's really easy to…" description: "\"On the surface, it's really easy to dismiss certain characters, but sometimes you find that the most interesting parts are disappointingly shallow. It'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1c/jessica-brown-findlay-16146_act_on-the-surface-it-s-really-easy-to-dismi_2284271.jpg" --- # On the surface, it's really easy to dismiss certain… ![“On the surface, it's really easy to dismiss certain characters, but sometimes you find that the most interesting parts are disappointingly shallow. It's your job as an actress to pull that person apart, and work out why they act the way that they do.” quote by Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1c/jessica-brown-findlay-16146_act_on-the-surface-it-s-really-easy-to-dismi_2284271.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1c/jessica-brown-findlay-16146_act_on-the-surface-it-s-really-easy-to-dismi_2284271.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1c/jessica-brown-findlay-16146_act_on-the-surface-it-s-really-easy-to-dismi_2284271.jpg) > “On the surface, it's really easy to dismiss certain characters, but sometimes you find that the most interesting parts are disappointingly shallow. It's your job as an actress to pull that person apart, and work out why they act the way that they do.” [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors must dissect seemingly superficial characters to uncover deeper motivations and complexities beneath the surface. **In simple terms:** Look deeper than appearances. Key Takeaway Explore hidden layers of character. Themes acting analysis depth Mood thoughtful analytical Type instructional inspirational When to use this quote - rehearsals - character workshops - script analysis - auditions Key Concepts character study psychology performance Questions to Reflect On - How do you reveal a character’s inner life? - What techniques expose hidden motives? A Different Perspective Surface impressions can mislead analysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-out/) ## Related quotes > [When you're training, there's no preparation for the media aspect of the profession, which is like another job in itself. But when you become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-fitzgerald/when-you-re-training-there-s-no-preparation-for-the-media-aspect-of/) [Tara Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-fitzgerald/) > [ I do think that I am fundamentally the same relatively simple person I've always been. I just have this flashy, wacky job \[actress\] that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-roberts/i-do-think-that-i-am-fundamentally-the-same-relatively-simple-person/) [Julia Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-roberts/) > [My job as an actress was to be a good scene partner to Martin Wallstrom, who plays Tyrell Wellick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-corneliussen/my-job-as-an-actress-was-to-be-a-good-scene-partner-to-martin/) [Stephanie Corneliussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-corneliussen/) > [My job as the actress playing Hanna Schmitz, as the actress playing any part, is to understand the character, and to ultimately love the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/my-job-as-the-actress-playing-hanna-schmitz-as-the-actress-playing/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [I think one of my big skills is making unlikable characters likable or real in some way. No matter how hateful people are, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-janney/i-think-one-of-my-big-skills-is-making-unlikable-characters-likable/) [Allison Janney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-janney/) > [It was a really fun idea to have a fashion label with my sister but I don't have an awful lot of time for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sienna-miller/it-was-a-really-fun-idea-to-have-a-fashion-label-with-my-sister-but-i/) [Sienna Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sienna-miller/) > [The first job of an actress, for me, is creating relationships with other characters, and you have to achieve that almost instantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-james/the-first-job-of-an-actress-for-me-is-creating-relationships-with/) [Geraldine James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-james/) > [My job as an actress is to make things work and come up with reasons of my own and not just fill in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-adams/my-job-as-an-actress-is-to-make-things-work-and-come-up-with-reasons/) [Amy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-adams/) > [Ultimately, it's not your job, as an actress, to satisfy people's expectations or image of who you should be. Even in your life, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viola-davis/ultimately-it-s-not-your-job-as-an-actress-to-satisfy-people-s/) [Viola Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viola-davis/) > [I only began to sing because I couldn't get a job as an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbra-streisand/i-only-began-to-sing-because-i-couldn-t-get-a-job-as-an-actress/) [Barbra Streisand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbra-streisand/) > [Every time I do anything, I have to ask myself: Is it a good role, and is it right to do it? There may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/every-time-i-do-anything-i-have-to-ask-myself-is-it-a-good-role-and/) [Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/) > [I had this very strict rule when I began auditioning that I wasn't gonna do a thicker accent, because it was like, 'I can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumail-nanjiani/i-had-this-very-strict-rule-when-i-began-auditioning-that-i-wasn-t/) [Kumail Nanjiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumail-nanjiani/) > [There are mystically in our faces certain characters which carry in them the motto of our souls, wherein he that cannot read may read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/there-are-mystically-in-our-faces-certain-characters-which-carry-in/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [I want to be an Actress that is forced to change in order to play certain characters or tell stories. I don't want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandip-gill/i-want-to-be-an-actress-that-is-forced-to-change-in-order-to-play/) [Mandip Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandip-gill/) > [“This is a work of fiction. If certain characters resemble people in real life, it is because certain people in real life resemble characters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-del-paso/this-is-a-work-of-fiction-if-certain-characters-resemble-people-in/) [Fernando Del Paso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-del-paso/) ## More by Jessica Brown Findlay > [I'm hungry for a cold and mean character. I'd love it if someone thought I could play gritty. I want to play a baddie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/i-m-hungry-for-a-cold-and-mean-character-i-d-love-it-if-someone/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [I don't know if I'm so righteous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/i-don-t-know-if-i-m-so-righteous/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [The thing I adore about acting is that it's not me: you get to experience all these emotions, but essentially it's not you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/the-thing-i-adore-about-acting-is-that-it-s-not-me-you-get-to/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [You don't automatically assume everyone will fall for a period drama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/you-don-t-automatically-assume-everyone-will-fall-for-a-period-drama/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [Everything you listen to when you are 17 should be embarrassing, otherwise you are way too cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/everything-you-listen-to-when-you-are-17-should-be-embarrassing/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [I do so many things. Like when I was younger, if I drove past a house that I didn't want to live in, I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/i-do-so-many-things-like-when-i-was-younger-if-i-drove-past-a-house/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [What I really learned from Tim Burton is that it's important to have your own person in a role because you can't play a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/what-i-really-learned-from-tim-burton-is-that-it-s-important-to-have/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [I just really think every job I do, I get this gypsy attitude to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/i-just-really-think-every-job-i-do-i-get-this-gypsy-attitude-to-money/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [I like to accessorise shirts with a little ribbon tied round my collar or a country style ascot. I've also sewed little hearts on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/i-like-to-accessorise-shirts-with-a-little-ribbon-tied-round-my/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [I remember stealing some pic n' mix when I was seven; when I got out of the shop, I burst into tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/i-remember-stealing-some-pic-n-mix-when-i-was-seven-when-i-got-out-of/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [Girls in scripts are often pretty but brainless, or geeky and no one likes them, so it's great to find richer roles. Chalk and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/girls-in-scripts-are-often-pretty-but-brainless-or-geeky-and-no-one/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [I don't mind giving everyone a shock - including myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/i-don-t-mind-giving-everyone-a-shock-including-myself/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [I have endless playlists on my iPod so will throw on, say, Bruce Springsteen or The Smiths, depending on what kind of day I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/i-have-endless-playlists-on-my-ipod-so-will-throw-on-say-bruce/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [Before I go on stage, I knock three times. Three is my lucky number; I once went into an audition and was number 333…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/before-i-go-on-stage-i-knock-three-times-three-is-my-lucky-number-i/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) > [My style icons would be people like Brigitte Bardot and old Hollywood actresses who always look so stunning, cool and chic. I like classic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brown-findlay/my-style-icons-would-be-people-like-brigitte-bardot-and-old-hollywood/) [Jessica Brown Findlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) [Explore all 40 Jessica Brown Findlay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brown-findlay/) ## More Act quotes > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [Teachers' unions don't act in the interest of most teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sal-khan/teachers-unions-don-t-act-in-the-interest-of-most-teachers/) [Sal Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sal-khan/) > [“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/) > [People take years learning how to act; it's a skill, not just a job. If I tried it out and thought I'd be OK,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/people-take-years-learning-how-to-act-it-s-a-skill-not-just-a-job-if/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [“Don’t turn your face away. Once you’ve seen, you can no longer act like you don’t know. Open your eyes to the truth. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vashti-quiroz-vega/don-t-turn-your-face-away-once-you-ve-seen-you-can-no-longer-act-like/) Vashti Quiroz-Vega > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [I have no interest in watching myself act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wesley/i-have-no-interest-in-watching-myself-act/) [Paul Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wesley/) > [“Don't wait, just sweat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/don-t-wait-just-sweat/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [I do believe some people can naturally act and don't know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-arnold/i-do-believe-some-people-can-naturally-act-and-don-t-know-it/) [Andrea Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-arnold/) > [Regardless of what I do, whether I write a book or whether I act or whether I host, I'll always do stand-up comedy because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/regardless-of-what-i-do-whether-i-write-a-book-or-whether-i-act-or/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [On 'Workaholics,' I feel like I'm just hanging out with my buddies being filmed, but on 'Mindy,' I'm around professional funny people who act.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anders-holm/on-workaholics-i-feel-like-i-m-just-hanging-out-with-my-buddies-being/) [Anders Holm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anders-holm/) > [I'm not an artist, and I want to take risks, and when the possibility of failure occurs, it's because the idea is all exciting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-morgan/i-m-not-an-artist-and-i-want-to-take-risks-and-when-the-possibility/) [Peter Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-morgan/) > [I don't have a huge amount of gear, but on the software side, I have a number of plug-in chains that act as abstracted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hopkins/i-don-t-have-a-huge-amount-of-gear-but-on-the-software-side-i-have-a/) [Jon Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hopkins/) > [I honestly didn't know that I wanted to act until I was probably 12.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-rae-mayo/i-honestly-didn-t-know-that-i-wanted-to-act-until-i-was-probably-12/) [Miranda Rae Mayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-rae-mayo/) Browse all 1,802 Act quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "On the surface, it's really easy to dismiss certain characters, but sometimes you find that the most interesting parts are disappointingly shallow. 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