---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I love shooting, when the character is…"
description: "\"I love shooting, when the character is interesting and the script is interesting, but the research beforehand is really fun. The whole process makes me..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-damon-3371_anxious_i-love-shooting-when-the-character-is-in_2947572.jpg"
---

#  I love shooting, when the character is interesting and the…

![“I love shooting, when the character is interesting and the script is interesting, but the research beforehand is really fun. The whole process makes me anxious and restless, and I have trouble sleeping, just trying to figure out the character.” quote by Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-damon-3371_anxious_i-love-shooting-when-the-character-is-in_2947572.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-damon-3371_anxious_i-love-shooting-when-the-character-is-in_2947572.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-damon-3371_anxious_i-love-shooting-when-the-character-is-in_2947572.jpg)

> “I love shooting, when the character is interesting and the script is interesting, but the research beforehand is really fun. The whole process makes me anxious and restless, and I have trouble sleeping, just trying to figure out the character.”

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He enjoys acting when the role and script are compelling, but the preparation process causes anxiety and sleeplessness as he delves into the character.

**In simple terms:** Acting is thrilling but can be stressful during preparation.

Key Takeaway

Balance research with self‑care.

Themes

acting creativity anxiety

Mood

reflective determined

Type

personal process

When to use this quote

- theatre rehearsals
- film auditions
- character workshops
- nighttime insomnia

Key Concepts

character development pre‑performance ritual

Questions to Reflect On

- How can actors calm nerves while deepening character study?
- What routines help maintain sleep during intense prep?

A Different Perspective

Anxiety may hinder performance if not managed.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Anxious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxious/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) [Restless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restless/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Trouble sleeping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trouble-sleeping/)

## Related quotes

> [I'm always looking for a low-budget script with an interesting character to play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-koenig/i-m-always-looking-for-a-low-budget-script-with-an-interesting/)

Walter Koenig

> [I like a sensitive script, interesting and respectful directors and co-actors, producers who understand the creative needs of a project. A happy unit in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasika-dugal/i-like-a-sensitive-script-interesting-and-respectful-directors-and-co/)

[Rasika Dugal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasika-dugal/)

> [I am always open to any film from any place, given the role and the script is interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-am-always-open-to-any-film-from-any-place-given-the-role-and-the/)

[Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/)

> [“Please, no stabbing. All of that makes me anxious.' I crossed my arms. 'No promises.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/please-no-stabbing-all-of-that-makes-me-anxious-i-crossed-my-arms-no/)

[Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/)

> [“To hear the phrase “our only hope” always makes one anxious, because it means that if the only hope doesn't work, there is nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemony-snicket/to-hear-the-phrase-our-only-hope-always-makes-one-anxious-because-it-2/)

[Lemony Snicket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemony-snicket/)

> [Find out what your triggers are and what makes you anxious and don't do those things. I know it's easier said than done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harris-dickinson/find-out-what-your-triggers-are-and-what-makes-you-anxious-and-don-t/)

[Harris Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harris-dickinson/)

> [Every single movie I go up for I'm just checking the phone to see if the e-mail's come in, to see if I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-wolff/every-single-movie-i-go-up-for-i-m-just-checking-the-phone-to-see-if/)

[Nat Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-wolff/)

> [You say something, things you would rather forget, and then they are out there. It makes me anxious and I don't know why people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hawkins/you-say-something-things-you-would-rather-forget-and-then-they-are/)

[Sally Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hawkins/)

> [To hear the phrase "our only hope" always makes one anxious, because it means that if the only hope doesn't work, there is nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-hear-the-phrase-our-only-hope-always-makes-one-anxious-because-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Sometimes this book stays in the present, other times I try to cut myself in half and count the rings. Occasionally I think about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-poehler/sometimes-this-book-stays-in-the-present-other-times-i-try-to-cut/)

[Amy Poehler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-poehler/)

> [I don't wear a lot of color because I live in New York, and I'm sort of color-blind, so colors don't match to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/verite/i-don-t-wear-a-lot-of-color-because-i-live-in-new-york-and-i-m-sort/)

Verite

> [You can't use anxiety to deal with your anxiety it only makes you more anxious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-crawford/you-can-t-use-anxiety-to-deal-with-your-anxiety-it-only-makes-you/)

[Bill Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-crawford/)

> [It's not the future that you're afraid of. It's repeating the past that makes you anxious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-not-the-future-that-you-re-afraid-of-it-s-repeating-the-past/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Its not the future that youre afraid of, its the past that makes you anxious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-rogers/its-not-the-future-that-youre-afraid-of-its-the-past-that-makes-you/)

[Sydney Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-rogers/)

> [I was definitely not the kid that just wanted to be famous for no reason whatsoever and then happened to find comedy. Fame and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-burnham/i-was-definitely-not-the-kid-that-just-wanted-to-be-famous-for-no/)

[Bo Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-burnham/)

## More by Matt Damon

> [I'm actively trying to get away from the over-exposure that happened eight years ago. The only thing a celebrity can do in one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-m-actively-trying-to-get-away-from-the-over-exposure-that-happened/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [ \[Americans\] can't understand that the water in our toilet is cleaner than 880 million have access to. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/americans-can-t-understand-that-the-water-in-our-toilet-is-cleaner/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [As for poker, I've stayed away from that, even though when I was in Vegas for Ocean's Eleven, I would get accosted by these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/as-for-poker-i-ve-stayed-away-from-that-even-though-when-i-was-in/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [Now that I have kids, I'm probably more overprotective than I've ever been. My wife's nickname for me is 'red alert.' I sometimes check…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/now-that-i-have-kids-i-m-probably-more-overprotective-than-i-ve-ever/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [I didn't grow up with great privilege, nor did I grow up wanting for anything. I was a middle-class kid and, relative to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-didn-t-grow-up-with-great-privilege-nor-did-i-grow-up-wanting-for/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [I think it's something that the citizenry needs to be vigilant about - participating in democracy, and that includes issues like what's going on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-think-it-s-something-that-the-citizenry-needs-to-be-vigilant-about/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [We're here for such a short time. When your great-great-grandkids study history, don't you want them to be proud that you were part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/we-re-here-for-such-a-short-time-when-your-great-great-grandkids/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [If you're just an actor you're reactive. You're saying, "Well, I hope Hollywood gives me a role, or gives me a chance at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/if-you-re-just-an-actor-you-re-reactive-you-re-saying-well-i-hope/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [Clint Eastwood expects you to know what you're doing. He's going to take two giant steps back and let you do it. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/clint-eastwood-expects-you-to-know-what-you-re-doing-he-s-going-to/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [As actors, we react to the material that's out there, and I probably just react more strongly to things that I feel will have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/as-actors-we-react-to-the-material-that-s-out-there-and-i-probably/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [The only sci-fi movie that I've ever been offered that, had circumstances been different, I would have definitely done, was 'Avatar.' And I literally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/the-only-sci-fi-movie-that-i-ve-ever-been-offered-that-had/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [And you know, we were talking about American identity, and where we've come from and where we are and where we're headed. We knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/and-you-know-we-were-talking-about-american-identity-and-where-we-ve/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [He's famous for being obsessive about details.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/he-s-famous-for-being-obsessive-about-details/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [Generally, the bigger the budget, the less interesting the characters become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/generally-the-bigger-the-budget-the-less-interesting-the-characters/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

> [Listen, here's the thing. If you can't spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you ARE the sucker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/listen-here-s-the-thing-if-you-can-t-spot-the-sucker-in-the-first/)

[Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

[Explore all 132 Matt Damon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/)

## More Anxious quotes

> [Most people do surprisingly poorly when dealing with a relative who is hurting, depressed, or anxious - we get defensive and try to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/most-people-do-surprisingly-poorly-when-dealing-with-a-relative-who/)

[David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/)

> [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [According to Shakyamuni Buddha, it's normal for human beings to be anxious, because it's normal for human beings not to understand themselves. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reb-anderson/according-to-shakyamuni-buddha-it-s-normal-for-human-beings-to-be/)

[Reb Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reb-anderson/)

> [Be lamps unto yourselves. Be refuges unto yourselves. Take yourself no external refuge. Hold fast to the truth as a lamp. Hold fast to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/be-lamps-unto-yourselves-be-refuges-unto-yourselves-take-yourself-no/)

[Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/)

> [Even speed, when we are anxious, seems like delay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/even-speed-when-we-are-anxious-seems-like-delay/)

[Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/)

> [I'd like to be able to do complex math in my head. Any kind of adversity and I become very anxious, but if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-woods/i-d-like-to-be-able-to-do-complex-math-in-my-head-any-kind-of/)

[Zach Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-woods/)

> [There were times when depression, anxiety, whatever, would keep me from writing. I still get depressed and anxious, but I just don't let it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-st-john/there-were-times-when-depression-anxiety-whatever-would-keep-me-from/)

[David St. John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-st-john/)

> [The millennials were raised in a cocoon, their anxious parents afraid to let them go out in the park to play. So should we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/the-millennials-were-raised-in-a-cocoon-their-anxious-parents-afraid/)

[Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/)

> [He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. "For He giveth His beloved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/he-who-believes-in-god-is-not-careful-for-the-morrow-but-labors/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [I'm a very anxious, nervy kind of loser in many ways, and I get very stressed and a little tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-weeks/i-m-a-very-anxious-nervy-kind-of-loser-in-many-ways-and-i-get-very/)

[Ed Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-weeks/)

> [Dogs seek attention from you. But by paying them that attention when they want it, you're reinforcing the bad or hyperactive or anxious behavior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-millan/dogs-seek-attention-from-you-but-by-paying-them-that-attention-when/)

[Cesar Millan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-millan/)

> [I am not anxious to be the loudest voice or the most popular. But I would like to think that at a crucial moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-not-anxious-to-be-the-loudest-voice-or-the-most-popular-but-i/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You simply can't be tentative in a startup. You have to go for it at every chance you get. And if the leader of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-wilson/you-simply-can-t-be-tentative-in-a-startup-you-have-to-go-for-it-at/)

[Fred Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-wilson/)

> [I - it's simply not for me to evaluate an independent rating agency's processes. But I will say that there was reason to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-carney/i-it-s-simply-not-for-me-to-evaluate-an-independent-rating-agency-s/)

[Jay Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-carney/)

> [I don't understand why gay people are so anxious to get married.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-margolyes/i-don-t-understand-why-gay-people-are-so-anxious-to-get-married/)

[Miriam Margolyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-margolyes/)

[Browse all 1,159 Anxious quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxious/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I love shooting, when the character is interesting and the script is interesting, but the research beforehand is really fun. The whole process makes me anxious and restless, and I have trouble sleeping, just trying to figure out the character.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Matt Damon"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-love-shooting-when-the-character-is-interesting-and-the-script-is/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Anxious"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-love-shooting-when-the-character-is-interesting-and-the-script-is/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-damon-3371_anxious_i-love-shooting-when-the-character-is-in_2947572.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-damon-3371_anxious_i-love-shooting-when-the-character-is-in_2947572.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/matt-damon-3371_anxious_i-love-shooting-when-the-character-is-in_2947572.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I love shooting, when the character is interesting and the script is interesting, but the research…” — Matt Damon",
                "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": "Matt Damon",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I love shooting, when the character...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-love-shooting-when-the-character-is-interesting-and-the-script-is/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-love-shooting-when-the-character-is-interesting-and-the-script-is/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
