--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At some point, you have to disconnect, if…" description: "\"At some point, you have to disconnect, if the obsession with playing a real person gets in the way of the movie at large. At the same time, we're all i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ac/joel-edgerton-2300_change_at-some-point-you-have-to-disconnect-if_12929.jpg" --- # At some point, you have to disconnect, if the obsession… ![“At some point, you have to disconnect, if the obsession with playing a real person gets in the way of the movie at large. At the same time, we're all interested, as actors in trying to get as close to the real thing as we can, and whatever you can do in order to create that transformation feels…” quote by Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ac/joel-edgerton-2300_change_at-some-point-you-have-to-disconnect-if_12929.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ac/joel-edgerton-2300_change_at-some-point-you-have-to-disconnect-if_12929.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ac/joel-edgerton-2300_change_at-some-point-you-have-to-disconnect-if_12929.jpg) > “At some point, you have to disconnect, if the obsession with playing a real person gets in the way of the movie at large. At the same time, we're all interested, as actors in trying to get as close to the real thing as we can, and whatever you can do in order to create that transformation feels fun and, for me, the furthest I can get away from myself is fun. It's all part of the costume, the accent, and all that stuff. It's about trying to get close without it being a detriment to the point of view of the story that you're trying to tell.” [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balancing authentic character immersion with narrative clarity; actors must sometimes step back from personal identification to serve the story. **In simple terms:** Authenticity vs. storytelling Key Takeaway Effective acting requires strategic detachment Themes authenticity narrative focus actor technique character immersion storytelling creative balance Mood thoughtful reflective inquisitive Type insightful advice reflection When to use this quote - preparing for a role - rehearsing scenes - on-set decision making - directorial guidance - audience engagement Key Concepts character development performance strategy story integrity Practical Applications - acting workshops - film directing Questions to Reflect On - How does an actor know when immersion hinders the story? - What techniques help maintain narrative focus while staying authentic? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Obsession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsession/) [Point of view](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-of-view/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Transformation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transformation/) ## Related quotes > [There's a way of doing comedy that feels true to the person doing it, that doesn't feel like clown-work or silly faces and antics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-daly/there-s-a-way-of-doing-comedy-that-feels-true-to-the-person-doing-it/) [Andy Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-daly/) > [Sometimes when you're the good guy, you're sort of trapped. "Oh, he can't say that." And even when you're playing a real person like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/sometimes-when-you-re-the-good-guy-you-re-sort-of-trapped-oh-he-can-t/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [If I'm playing a real-life person, I would take notes, I think that's important. For instance, when I played Rosemary Clooney, I was lucky…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sondra-locke/if-i-m-playing-a-real-life-person-i-would-take-notes-i-think-that-s/) [Sondra Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sondra-locke/) > ['Inherent Vice' was a novel that already existed, and in 'Steve Jobs,' I was playing a real person; in those situations, you do feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-waterston/inherent-vice-was-a-novel-that-already-existed-and-in-steve-jobs-i/) [Katherine Waterston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-waterston/) > [There's always mixed feelings about the work that I do. When you're playing a real person, that's another kind of responsibility. I have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-landry-jones/there-s-always-mixed-feelings-about-the-work-that-i-do-when-you-re/) [Caleb Landry Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-landry-jones/) > [And I think when you're playing someone who is a real person, it's extremely important to take the time and put in the effort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-hearst/and-i-think-when-you-re-playing-someone-who-is-a-real-person-it-s/) [Lydia Hearst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-hearst/) > [It's a daunting thing to be playing a real person and to have contact with her and meet her and be in her circle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-maslany/it-s-a-daunting-thing-to-be-playing-a-real-person-and-to-have-contact/) [Tatiana Maslany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-maslany/) > [If you're playing a fictional character, you can create a character, you can sort of take certain liberties. And when you're playing a real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-wahlberg/if-you-re-playing-a-fictional-character-you-can-create-a-character/) [Donnie Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-wahlberg/) > [You feel a huge sense of responsibility when you're playing a real person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-strong/you-feel-a-huge-sense-of-responsibility-when-you-re-playing-a-real/) [Jeremy Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-strong/) > [I don't know if it's harder but when you're playing a real person you want to honor their memory - even if they're a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-jones/i-don-t-know-if-it-s-harder-but-when-you-re-playing-a-real-person-you/) [Toby Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-jones/) > [If you're playing a real person, then you want to do a certain amount of research, but that's only going to be so useful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-fishburne/if-you-re-playing-a-real-person-then-you-want-to-do-a-certain-amount/) [Laurence Fishburne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-fishburne/) > [I'm almost tempted, when I'm playing a real person, not to meet them. Afterwards, maybe. But, the job is the same. You still have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-danson/i-m-almost-tempted-when-i-m-playing-a-real-person-not-to-meet-them/) [Ted Danson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-danson/) > [Playing a real person, it does add an extra level of thoughtfulness. You're portraying someone who actually existed, so instead of saying, like, 'OK,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-lynch/playing-a-real-person-it-does-add-an-extra-level-of-thoughtfulness/) [Ross Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-lynch/) > [If you want to do your version, go off and write it. You bring your knowledge to it, and you can use that to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-harris/if-you-want-to-do-your-version-go-off-and-write-it-you-bring-your/) [Jared Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-harris/) > [I do as much research as is physically possible when I'm playing a real person, be they alive or dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-dormer/i-do-as-much-research-as-is-physically-possible-when-i-m-playing-a/) [Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-dormer/) ## More by Joel Edgerton > [I'm the great-great-grandson of a sheep stealer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/i-m-the-great-great-grandson-of-a-sheep-stealer/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [I don't have any kids of my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/i-don-t-have-any-kids-of-my-own/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [I'm single, footloose and fancy free, I have no responsibilities, no anchors. Work, friendship and self-improvement, that's me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/i-m-single-footloose-and-fancy-free-i-have-no-responsibilities-no/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [If I knew my schedule a month ahead, I'd be so bored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/if-i-knew-my-schedule-a-month-ahead-i-d-be-so-bored/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [Unfortunately, the Egyptians weren't the greatest artists in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/unfortunately-the-egyptians-weren-t-the-greatest-artists-in-the-world/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [Even to this day, when I think about the fact that I'm in this 'Star Wars' world, that I'm a half-brother to Darth Vader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/even-to-this-day-when-i-think-about-the-fact-that-i-m-in-this-star/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [I think the great thing about characters is the ways that they can be surprising. I mean, sometimes you think you've got a lock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/i-think-the-great-thing-about-characters-is-the-ways-that-they-can-be/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [All I can say is working with Ridley Scott is a dream come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/all-i-can-say-is-working-with-ridley-scott-is-a-dream-come-true/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [Actors are excused from a lot of things, and we get away with a lot... I find it equally interesting and exciting as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/actors-are-excused-from-a-lot-of-things-and-we-get-away-with-a-lot-i/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [Sometimes I think being an actor is like being a dog for a director; it's like they throw a stick, and you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/sometimes-i-think-being-an-actor-is-like-being-a-dog-for-a-director/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [I always wonder why people cast me in anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/i-always-wonder-why-people-cast-me-in-anything/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [One of the things I've always enjoyed is moving around and staying fit. Physicality is such a big part of being an actor, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/one-of-the-things-i-ve-always-enjoyed-is-moving-around-and-staying/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [I grew up being taught, 'Do unto others as they would do unto you.' I would get scolded for not being polite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/i-grew-up-being-taught-do-unto-others-as-they-would-do-unto-you-i/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [There's the pressure of being a No. 1 on the call sheet, being a lead actor. There's almost this feeling like being captain of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/there-s-the-pressure-of-being-a-no-1-on-the-call-sheet-being-a-lead/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [Sometimes Hollywood manages to knock a movie in its teeth so hard that it never manages to get back up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/sometimes-hollywood-manages-to-knock-a-movie-in-its-teeth-so-hard/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) [Explore all 173 Joel Edgerton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "At some point, you have to disconnect, if the obsession with playing a real person gets in the way of the movie at large. 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