--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I started acting I knew nothing. It…" description: "\"When I started acting I knew nothing. It was a momentous decision to pick up the flyer for the 'Trainspotting' audition. 'Destined' is a bit of a poncy..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9e/kelly-macdonald-16125_acting_when-i-started-acting-i-knew-nothing-it_3192539.jpg" --- # When I started acting I knew nothing. It was a momentous… ![“When I started acting I knew nothing. It was a momentous decision to pick up the flyer for the 'Trainspotting' audition. 'Destined' is a bit of a poncy word for it, but I do think I was headed in that direction.” quote by Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9e/kelly-macdonald-16125_acting_when-i-started-acting-i-knew-nothing-it_3192539.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9e/kelly-macdonald-16125_acting_when-i-started-acting-i-knew-nothing-it_3192539.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9e/kelly-macdonald-16125_acting_when-i-started-acting-i-knew-nothing-it_3192539.jpg) > “When I started acting I knew nothing. It was a momentous decision to pick up the flyer for the 'Trainspotting' audition. 'Destined' is a bit of a poncy word for it, but I do think I was headed in that direction.” [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Starting a new career often feels daunting, but taking the first step is essential. **In simple terms:** Begin even when unsure. Key Takeaway Take the first step despite uncertainty. Themes career change courage self‑discovery Mood determined encouraging Type advice personal narrative When to use this quote - job auditions - entrepreneurial ventures - educational pursuits Key Concepts risk‑taking personal ambition Questions to Reflect On - What motivates you to start something new? - How can you mitigate fear when beginning a career? A Different Perspective Fear of failure can paralyze action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Knew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-knew-600671/) [Audition Destined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audition-destined-5894555/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Destined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destined/) [Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direction/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Started Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started-acting/) [Trainspotting Audition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trainspotting-audition-5894556/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) ## Related quotes > [When I first started acting, I knew that you have to learn different skills for different roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-lillis/when-i-first-started-acting-i-knew-that-you-have-to-learn-different/) [Sophia Lillis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-lillis/) > [I liked to explore different arts. But when I started acting, I knew this was the medium I want to be in for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moran-atias/i-liked-to-explore-different-arts-but-when-i-started-acting-i-knew/) [Moran Atias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moran-atias/) > [Growing up, I wasn't sure about acting, but I knew I wanted to be part of the movie industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniella-alonso/growing-up-i-wasn-t-sure-about-acting-but-i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-part/) [Daniella Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniella-alonso/) > [I knew that I needed to do something that I desperately loved. There was a period where I did question if it was acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-hanks/i-knew-that-i-needed-to-do-something-that-i-desperately-loved-there/) [Colin Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-hanks/) > [I studied theater in college, and I absolutely knew that I loved acting, and I knew that I loved theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hill-harper/i-studied-theater-in-college-and-i-absolutely-knew-that-i-loved/) [Hill Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hill-harper/) > [I had accidentally gotten a laugh on a line in a play I was in during high school. I got hooked, but I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-metcalf/i-had-accidentally-gotten-a-laugh-on-a-line-in-a-play-i-was-in-during/) [Laurie Metcalf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-metcalf/) > [I always wanted to do acting, but I never knew that I would start at the age of 17.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-massey/i-always-wanted-to-do-acting-but-i-never-knew-that-i-would-start-at/) [Vikrant Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-massey/) > [Although I did end up trying out several different fields before committing to acting, I knew in the deepest part of heart that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-holden/although-i-did-end-up-trying-out-several-different-fields-before/) [Gina Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-holden/) > [Because of my background in theater and radio acting, I knew that I could make a living as an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-kasem/because-of-my-background-in-theater-and-radio-acting-i-knew-that-i/) [Casey Kasem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-kasem/) > [I never looked at my future as comedy. Even at Second City, I always thought of it as acting. I knew I was going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adsit/i-never-looked-at-my-future-as-comedy-even-at-second-city-i-always-2/) [Scott Adsit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adsit/) > [I've been acting since I was 7, and I always knew it was what I wanted to go into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-reeser/i-ve-been-acting-since-i-was-7-and-i-always-knew-it-was-what-i-wanted/) [Autumn Reeser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-reeser/) > [Growing up, I wasnt sure about acting, but I knew I wanted to be part of the movie industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniella-alonso/growing-up-i-wasnt-sure-about-acting-but-i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-part/) [Daniella Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniella-alonso/) > [I've watched directors since my very first day of acting because I knew I wanted to direct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-nichols/i-ve-watched-directors-since-my-very-first-day-of-acting-because-i/) [Austin Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-nichols/) > [The only acting I knew when I was a boy came from Lochgelly. With a double bill, people would live their lives in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-cranham/the-only-acting-i-knew-when-i-was-a-boy-came-from-lochgelly-with-a/) [Kenneth Cranham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-cranham/) > [Some kids are good at math, some kids can run, and acting was an interest of mine. Because I knew you could do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-lee-miller/some-kids-are-good-at-math-some-kids-can-run-and-acting-was-an/) [Jonny Lee Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-lee-miller/) ## More by Kelly Macdonald > [Sometimes I bite off a fingernail to use as a toothpick. Nasty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/sometimes-i-bite-off-a-fingernail-to-use-as-a-toothpick-nasty/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [It's that TV thing. You can be in the biggest film of the year and it will still not have the kind of impact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/it-s-that-tv-thing-you-can-be-in-the-biggest-film-of-the-year-and-it/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [I was interested in drama, but it never seemed like a real profession somehow. It was so outside my experience, and I probably wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/i-was-interested-in-drama-but-it-never-seemed-like-a-real-profession/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [There was nobody in my family who knew anything about the film industry. I'm from the west of Scotland. It's not exactly a mecca…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/there-was-nobody-in-my-family-who-knew-anything-about-the-film/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [I'm pretty happy with the two cities I call home now - Glasgow and New York. But I'd like to give Paris a shot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/i-m-pretty-happy-with-the-two-cities-i-call-home-now-glasgow-and-new/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [I've done a few American accents. I've maybe passed a test. But I don't know if it makes things easier or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/i-ve-done-a-few-american-accents-i-ve-maybe-passed-a-test-but-i-don-t/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [I'm no good at anecdotes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/i-m-no-good-at-anecdotes/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [I'm so not a celebrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/i-m-so-not-a-celebrity/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [I properly enjoy what I do, but I know it's not brain surgery. I don't take myself too seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/i-properly-enjoy-what-i-do-but-i-know-it-s-not-brain-surgery-i-don-t/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [Watching films I'm in is always a bit odd, especially when I'm watching them for the first time with other people. It's hard not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/watching-films-i-m-in-is-always-a-bit-odd-especially-when-i-m/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [Most of my memories are the sound of rain on caravan roofs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/most-of-my-memories-are-the-sound-of-rain-on-caravan-roofs/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [I've done TV and I've done film, and I'm not snobby about it. It's about the project.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/i-ve-done-tv-and-i-ve-done-film-and-i-m-not-snobby-about-it-it-s/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [It can get a bit boring working on accents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/it-can-get-a-bit-boring-working-on-accents/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [I find just being on set embarrassing. Mortifying. And that's with all my clothes on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/i-find-just-being-on-set-embarrassing-mortifying-and-that-s-with-all/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) > [I loved Winnie the Pooh, the Disney character, and I loved his wit and warmth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-macdonald/i-loved-winnie-the-pooh-the-disney-character-and-i-loved-his-wit-and/) [Kelly Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) [Explore all 41 Kelly Macdonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-macdonald/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "When I started acting I knew nothing. It was a momentous decision to pick up the flyer for the 'Trainspotting' audition. 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