Actor Quote by Meryl Streep
“Sometime really good writing does you a disservice as an actor. Because you can get lazy. It's doing a lot of the work for you. I guess that's good. But at the same time with material that's not so good, you have to be more inventive, because no thought has been applied to it.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 2015
Relying on weak material can make actors lazy, while poor writing forces creativity and deeper engagement.
In simple terms: Bad scripts can make actors lazy; good scripts demand effort.
Key Takeaway
Seek strong material or work harder on weak scripts.
Themes
acting
writing
creativity
professionalism
craft
Mood
reflective
practical
Type
analytical
motivational
When to use this quote
- acting classes
- script workshops
- film production meetings
Key Concepts
script analysis
actor preparation
creative problem solving
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle a weak script?
- What strategies keep you engaged with challenging material?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes all actors can compensate for poor writing, which may not always be possible.
