--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have been in situations where actors…" description: "\"I have been in situations where actors are treated like robots: say the lines, say it like this, we don't have time for conversations. That is a terrib..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18c/nia-long-7528_actor_i-have-been-in-situations-where-actors-a_44606.jpg" --- # I have been in situations where actors are treated like… ![“I have been in situations where actors are treated like robots: say the lines, say it like this, we don't have time for conversations. That is a terrible position to be in as an artist. You feel used.” quote by Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18c/nia-long-7528_actor_i-have-been-in-situations-where-actors-a_44606.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18c/nia-long-7528_actor_i-have-been-in-situations-where-actors-a_44606.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18c/nia-long-7528_actor_i-have-been-in-situations-where-actors-a_44606.jpg) > “I have been in situations where actors are treated like robots: say the lines, say it like this, we don't have time for conversations. That is a terrible position to be in as an artist. You feel used.” [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights the dehumanizing pressure on performers to conform mechanically, stripping away creative agency and reducing them to mere executors of scripted dialogue. **In simple terms:** Artists feel reduced to mechanical execution. Key Takeaway Creative autonomy is essential for artistic fulfillment. Themes artistic autonomy humanization creative expression power dynamics workplace dignity Mood frustrated disillusioned determined Type personal testimony industry critique reflective observation When to use this quote - rehearsal settings - film sets - theatre productions - commercial shoots - studio recordings Key Concepts performer agency scripted constraints artist dignity creative freedom Practical Applications - advocating for collaborative direction - designing flexible performance processes Questions to Reflect On - How can creators negotiate agency within rigid production schedules? - What structures protect artistic integrity in collaborative media? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Robots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/robots/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I never said all actors are cattle; what I said was all actors should be treated like cattle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-hitchcock/i-never-said-all-actors-are-cattle-what-i-said-was-all-actors-should/) [Alfred Hitchcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-hitchcock/) > [Obviously, with 'The Room,' I wasn't on set thinking 'I'm going to be Daniel Day Lewis' playing Mark, but explaining how I even got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-sestero/obviously-with-the-room-i-wasn-t-on-set-thinking-i-m-going-to-be/) [Greg Sestero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-sestero/) > [I think there's that weird bastardization where musical theatre actors are treated as almost like vaudevillians or circus performers - that we're somehow not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-benanti/i-think-there-s-that-weird-bastardization-where-musical-theatre/) [Laura Benanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-benanti/) > [“When we feel used and abused, the Bible says we are loved. When we feel abandoned, the Bible says we are never alone. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-schultz/when-we-feel-used-and-abused-the-bible-says-we-are-loved-when-we-feel/) [Teresa Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-schultz/) > [Millions of women hate their husbands for the simple reason that they feel used, as if they are just machines for your sexual lust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/millions-of-women-hate-their-husbands-for-the-simple-reason-that-they/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [I'm just not having a very good time and I don't have any reason to think it'll get anything but worse. I'm tired. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsha-norman/i-m-just-not-having-a-very-good-time-and-i-don-t-have-any-reason-to/) [Marsha Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsha-norman/) > [“I don't know how I feel yet. I'm so used to pretending, to shoving it all away and pasting a smile that sometimes I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cora-carmack-finding-it/i-don-t-know-how-i-feel-yet-i-m-so-used-to-pretending-to-shoving-it/) [Cora Carmack Finding It](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cora-carmack-finding-it/) > [You feel used because you're giving the wrong person everything you've got, and they aren't giving you anything in return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/you-feel-used-because-you-re-giving-the-wrong-person-everything-you/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [You don't feel Pretty. You just feel Used.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-don-t-feel-pretty-you-just-feel-used/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The wrong person will make you feel used, but the right person will make you feel loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/the-wrong-person-will-make-you-feel-used-but-the-right-person-will/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Do not ever treat her as she were merely an item. No one likes to feel used and unloved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-whyte/do-not-ever-treat-her-as-she-were-merely-an-item-no-one-likes-to-feel/) Jonathan Whyte > [“I feel so used. I find I like it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-robb/i-feel-so-used-i-find-i-like-it/) [J.D. Robb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-robb/) > [I feel used for some reason =/](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-feel-used-for-some-reason/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If you feel so empty So used up, so let down If you feel so angry So ripped off so stepped on You're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/three-days-grace/if-you-feel-so-empty-so-used-up-so-let-down-if-you-feel-so-angry-so/) [Three Days Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/three-days-grace/) > [Anyone who allows other people to control and guide their destiny will eventually become bitter and feel used and taken advantage of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-delos-angeles/anyone-who-allows-other-people-to-control-and-guide-their-destiny/) [Innah Delos Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-delos-angeles/) ## More by Nia Long > [I think we need to talk about mental illness a lot more. People complain about tax dollars and say we don't have the money.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-think-we-need-to-talk-about-mental-illness-a-lot-more-people/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I took a little break - I was coming back to work and the last thing I was going to do was take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-took-a-little-break-i-was-coming-back-to-work-and-the-last-thing-i/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I admire the women who can have babies and jump right back to work. As a nursing mother, I couldn’t sit there and just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-admire-the-women-who-can-have-babies-and-jump-right-back-to-work-as/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [Just like in Christianity or Buddhism, obviously there are certain practices that dictate one's life, but I don't think you can say all Muslim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/just-like-in-christianity-or-buddhism-obviously-there-are-certain/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I do think gun control is important. I am a supporter of gun control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-do-think-gun-control-is-important-i-am-a-supporter-of-gun-control/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I think that if something matters to you, and is important to you, then you give it the attention and energy it deserves. So,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-think-that-if-something-matters-to-you-and-is-important-to-you-then/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I've always been raised to love everyone, to accept everyone for their differences, and to just be open. But at a young, a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-ve-always-been-raised-to-love-everyone-to-accept-everyone-for-their/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I'm more of a short-hair girl; short hair is a lot more low-maintenance than long hair. And when you're in front of camera every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-m-more-of-a-short-hair-girl-short-hair-is-a-lot-more-low/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I think every family has that moment when the parents realize they need help and think, Oh my gosh. We cannot do this all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-think-every-family-has-that-moment-when-the-parents-realize-they/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I believe everyone should have the freedom to represent what they believe-in in their own way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-believe-everyone-should-have-the-freedom-to-represent-what-they/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [Every woman deserves diamonds, and even if you can't afford to go out and buy diamonds for yourself or you don't have actual stone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/every-woman-deserves-diamonds-and-even-if-you-can-t-afford-to-go-out/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [The last step will be letting my hair go natural. That’s when you’ll know I’m free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/the-last-step-will-be-letting-my-hair-go-natural-that-s-when-you-ll/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [Americans are in need of very objective information, and sometimes it's easier to absorb the message through entertainment and through a great story than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/americans-are-in-need-of-very-objective-information-and-sometimes-it/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [I'm working on a project called Lemons, produced by Killer Films. The director has a great perspective on character development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-m-working-on-a-project-called-lemons-produced-by-killer-films-the/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [First of all when you're a mommy like you like the consistency of being on a show like that's just peace of mind, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/first-of-all-when-you-re-a-mommy-like-you-like-the-consistency-of/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) [Explore all 90 Nia Long quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) ## More Actor 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/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [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/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [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/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have been in situations where actors are treated like robots: say the lines, say it like this, we don't have time for conversations. That is a terrible position to be in as an artist. 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