--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before there was any talk of a movie…" description: "\"Before there was any talk of a movie, people would sometimes ask me what actors I would imagine playing these characters. And the only thing I could ev..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29d/michael-cunningham-1120_actor_before-there-was-any-talk-of-a-movie-peo_2157100.png" --- # Before there was any talk of a movie, people would… ![“Before there was any talk of a movie, people would sometimes ask me what actors I would imagine playing these characters. And the only thing I could ever say is: I have such a clear idea of these characters that they'd have to play themselves.” quote by Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29d/michael-cunningham-1120_actor_before-there-was-any-talk-of-a-movie-peo_2157100.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29d/michael-cunningham-1120_actor_before-there-was-any-talk-of-a-movie-peo_2157100.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29d/michael-cunningham-1120_actor_before-there-was-any-talk-of-a-movie-peo_2157100.png) > “Before there was any talk of a movie, people would sometimes ask me what actors I would imagine playing these characters. And the only thing I could ever say is: I have such a clear idea of these characters that they'd have to play themselves.” [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Imagining characters so vividly that actors must embody themselves to portray them. **In simple terms:** Characters feel real enough to play themselves. Key Takeaway Cultivate deep character insight. Themes creativity writing character development Mood inspired thoughtful Type creative analytical When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - acting workshops Key Concepts psychology imagination authenticity Questions to Reflect On - What techniques help you visualize characters? - How does authenticity affect performance? A Different Perspective Risk of over‑identification with characters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I think the lawyers are such incredible actors. Can you imagine the performance they have to do every day?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-bellucci/i-think-the-lawyers-are-such-incredible-actors-can-you-imagine-the/) [Monica Bellucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-bellucci/) > [I like being around actors. 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She respected her exhausted and ironic hope for rebirth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/zoe-loved-trancas-s-mother-she-respected-her-exhausted-and-ironic/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [The lives great artists live and the books they write are two very different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/the-lives-great-artists-live-and-the-books-they-write-are-two-very/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“How often since then has she wondered what might have happened if she'd tried to remain with him; if she’d returned Richard's kiss on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/how-often-since-then-has-she-wondered-what-might-have-happened-if-she/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“...a full week of their mother's quiet fury over the fun they don't seem to be having and their father's dogged attempts to provide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/a-full-week-of-their-mother-s-quiet-fury-over-the-fun-they-don-t-seem/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [Oh, all you immigrants and visionaries, what do you hope to find here, who do you hope to become?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/oh-all-you-immigrants-and-visionaries-what-do-you-hope-to-find-here/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“She wants to have baked a cake that banishes sorrow, even if only for a little while.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cunningham/she-wants-to-have-baked-a-cake-that-banishes-sorrow-even-if-only-for/) [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) > [“And yet, it gives Peter nothing. Not now. Not today. Not when he needs... more. More than this well-executed idea. 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