--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In every film, whether it's a fictional…" description: "\"In every film, whether it's a fictional character or not, you create an idea of the character and for me I always do a bad impersonation to start with...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d8/joaquin-phoenix-4581_character_in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-c_2032911.jpg" --- # In every film, whether it's a fictional character or not… ![“In every film, whether it's a fictional character or not, you create an idea of the character and for me I always do a bad impersonation to start with.” quote by Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d8/joaquin-phoenix-4581_character_in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-c_2032911.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d8/joaquin-phoenix-4581_character_in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-c_2032911.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d8/joaquin-phoenix-4581_character_in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-c_2032911.jpg) > “In every film, whether it's a fictional character or not, you create an idea of the character and for me I always do a bad impersonation to start with.” [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors often start with a flawed imitation before developing a deeper, authentic portrayal. **In simple terms:** Begin with a rough copy, then refine it. Key Takeaway Use imitation as a learning step toward authenticity. Themes acting process imitation Mood introspective creative Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - audition prep - rehearsals - character workshops - self‑reflection Key Concepts method acting character study Questions to Reflect On - What does your first imitation reveal about your understanding? - How can you transition from mimicry to genuine expression? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on imitation can hinder originality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad Impersonation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-impersonation-2797870/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-bad-580284/) [Fictional character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fictional-character/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Film Fictional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film-fictional-1925498/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Impersonation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impersonation/) [Impersonation Start](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impersonation-start-3743288/) ## Related quotes > [More and more, it feels like I'm doing a really bad impersonation of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/more-and-more-it-feels-like-i-m-doing-a-really-bad-impersonation-of/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [It's a funny thing with documentary films - you want them to feel as entertaining and as gripping as a fictional film. With a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-demme/it-s-a-funny-thing-with-documentary-films-you-want-them-to-feel-as/) [Jonathan Demme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-demme/) > [If I'm playing someone who's smart, suddenly every character I've played is smart. If I'm playing a bad guy, every character is a bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/if-i-m-playing-someone-who-s-smart-suddenly-every-character-i-ve/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I cannot be a character in a bad movie. I can't be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mckee/i-cannot-be-a-character-in-a-bad-movie-i-can-t-be/) [Robert McKee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mckee/) > [What's the point of doing a great character in a bad film? Instead, I want audiences to thoroughly enjoy a film and remember my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hansika-motwani/what-s-the-point-of-doing-a-great-character-in-a-bad-film-instead-i/) [Hansika Motwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hansika-motwani/) > [I do a very good impersonation of an American - I went to high school here - but I've spent most of my life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masha-gessen/i-do-a-very-good-impersonation-of-an-american-i-went-to-high-school/) [Masha Gessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masha-gessen/) > [“(Writing is) the transformation, through an elaborate impersonation, of a personal emergency into a public act (in both senses of that word).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/writing-is-the-transformation-through-an-elaborate-impersonation-of-a/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [That smile on Stive Jobs face... My impersonation came from being a fan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/that-smile-on-stive-jobs-face-my-impersonation-came-from-being-a-fan/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [You can't do an impersonation of somebody nobody knows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-t/you-can-t-do-an-impersonation-of-somebody-nobody-knows/) [Ice T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-t/) > [“...sanity involves a certain measure of impersonation, not simply for the benefit of husband and servants but for the sake, first and foremost, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/sanity-involves-a-certain-measure-of-impersonation-not-simply-for-the/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [Once I got into high school, any time I had to do a talk or a speech, I just loved being up in front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/once-i-got-into-high-school-any-time-i-had-to-do-a-talk-or-a-speech-i/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [When they first start doing comedy, new comics or even people that have only been doing it three or four years, they're doing an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-griffin/when-they-first-start-doing-comedy-new-comics-or-even-people-that/) [Erik Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-griffin/) > [Characterization requires self-knowledge, insight into human nature . . . it is more than impersonation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-surmelian/characterization-requires-self-knowledge-insight-into-human-nature-it/) [Leon Surmelian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-surmelian/) > [“So I'm to duel with a snake-hope I can manage to be a good enough impersonation of a mongoose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-bantock/so-i-m-to-duel-with-a-snake-hope-i-can-manage-to-be-a-good-enough/) [Nick Bantock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-bantock/) > [There is a very thin line dividing characterisation from impersonation. I've to make sure I don't cross over into mimicry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushant-singh-rajput/there-is-a-very-thin-line-dividing-characterisation-from/) [Sushant Singh Rajput](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushant-singh-rajput/) ## More by Joaquin Phoenix > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I enjoy writing rhymes and sitting alone in a room listening to beats. It's pretty amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-enjoy-writing-rhymes-and-sitting-alone-in-a-room-listening-to-beats/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [It's an amazing feeling to go into a studio and really be alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/it-s-an-amazing-feeling-to-go-into-a-studio-and-really-be-alone/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I began acting when River was doing this TV series and they needed two kids for the show, so they got me and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-began-acting-when-river-was-doing-this-tv-series-and-they-needed/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be-kind-to-an-animal/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [My parents were just searching for an alternative way of raising their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/my-parents-were-just-searching-for-an-alternative-way-of-raising/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The reason I keep making movies is I hate the last thing I did. I'm trying to rectify my wrongs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-reason-i-keep-making-movies-is-i-hate-the-last-thing-i-did-i-m/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I once told a journalist that girls call me 'Kitten,' but I couldn't have been more sarcastic, and no matter how many times I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-once-told-a-journalist-that-girls-call-me-kitten-but-i-couldn-t/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [When I go out with the ladies, I don't force them to pronounce my name. I tell them I like to go by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/when-i-go-out-with-the-ladies-i-don-t-force-them-to-pronounce-my-name/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I have this horrible sense of humor where I think discomfort is funny - partly because I experience discomfort a lot, and it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-have-this-horrible-sense-of-humor-where-i-think-discomfort-is-funny/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The expectation is this low, gravelly voice for John, but I went through his early recordings and there were songs in there where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-expectation-is-this-low-gravelly-voice-for-john-but-i-went/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Do I have a large frog in my hair? I have the sensation that something is eating my brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/do-i-have-a-large-frog-in-my-hair-i-have-the-sensation-that-something/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Well, I think that you know, I threatened myself with quitting after every movie. But I think everybody does that, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/well-i-think-that-you-know-i-threatened-myself-with-quitting-after/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [There is no need for fur - since there are compassionate alternatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/there-is-no-need-for-fur-since-there-are-compassionate-alternatives/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The only reason why I would like to be accepted? Because if your movies don't do well, after a while you don't get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-only-reason-why-i-would-like-to-be-accepted-because-if-your/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) [Explore all 109 Joaquin Phoenix quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) ## 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. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. 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. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In every film, whether it's a fictional character or not, you create an idea of the character and for me I always do a bad impersonation to start with.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joaquin Phoenix" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-character-or-not-you-create-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-character-or-not-you-create-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d8/joaquin-phoenix-4581_character_in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-c_2032911.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d8/joaquin-phoenix-4581_character_in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-c_2032911.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d8/joaquin-phoenix-4581_character_in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-c_2032911.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In every film, whether it's a fictional character or not, you create an idea of the character and for me I…” — Joaquin Phoenix", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joaquin Phoenix", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In every film, whether it's a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-character-or-not-you-create-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/in-every-film-whether-it-s-a-fictional-character-or-not-you-create-an/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```