--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Actually I have to say when I'm acting, I…" description: "\"Actually I have to say when I'm acting, I try not to think about directing at all.\" — Renee O'Connor" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/renee-o-connor-18238_acting_actually-i-have-to-say-when-i-m-acting-i_2935547.png" --- # Actually I have to say when I'm acting, I try not to think… ![“Actually I have to say when I'm acting, I try not to think about directing at all.” quote by Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/renee-o-connor-18238_acting_actually-i-have-to-say-when-i-m-acting-i_2935547.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/renee-o-connor-18238_acting_actually-i-have-to-say-when-i-m-acting-i_2935547.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/renee-o-connor-18238_acting_actually-i-have-to-say-when-i-m-acting-i_2935547.png) > “Actually I have to say when I'm acting, I try not to think about directing at all.” [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When performing, she avoids overanalyzing direction to stay present and authentic. **In simple terms:** Focus on acting, not directing. Key Takeaway Stay present while acting. Themes acting focus authenticity Mood concentrated reflective Type advice process When to use this quote - stage performance - film set - rehearsal - improvisation Key Concepts mindfulness creative process Questions to Reflect On - How does youthinking affect your performance? - What techniques help you stay present? A Different Perspective Overthinking can hinder spontaneity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [People ask me about that all the time. They say, "Did you ever think of directing?" And I say, "It's completely out of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-rourke/people-ask-me-about-that-all-the-time-they-say-did-you-ever-think-of/) [Mickey Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-rourke/) > [As a screenwriter, you are so used to things going in directions that you wouldn't have taken, so to be able to say, 'This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-watkins/as-a-screenwriter-you-are-so-used-to-things-going-in-directions-that/) [James Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-watkins/) > [I think directing and writing are very different jobs. Obviously, directing is a more social and managerial job. The other thing about directing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-think-directing-and-writing-are-very-different-jobs-obviously/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Even when I was an actor in training, one criticism my teachers had was that I should think about directing instead of acting, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-alexander/even-when-i-was-an-actor-in-training-one-criticism-my-teachers-had/) [Jason Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-alexander/) > [I must say acting was good training for the political life which lay ahead for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-reagan/i-must-say-acting-was-good-training-for-the-political-life-which-lay/) [Nancy Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-reagan/) > [I think that various styles and methods and approaches are an invention of people who don't understand the process of acting and who try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-kingsley/i-think-that-various-styles-and-methods-and-approaches-are-an/) [Ben Kingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-kingsley/) > [When you're acting, you can try your own ideas and be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/storm-reid/when-you-re-acting-you-can-try-your-own-ideas-and-be-free/) [Storm Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/storm-reid/) > [It's kind of funny, with all of the different outlets that come from acting that you could try, I would love to direct and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imogen-poots/it-s-kind-of-funny-with-all-of-the-different-outlets-that-come-from/) [Imogen Poots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imogen-poots/) > [If I wasn't acting, I'd try and be a footballer. I wouldn't be a musician because I can't write my own music. Realistically, I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-blackley/if-i-wasn-t-acting-i-d-try-and-be-a-footballer-i-wouldn-t-be-a/) [Jamie Blackley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-blackley/) > [One of my main techniques for acting is I try to know almost nothing beyond the words that I have to say, because that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-bauer-van-straten/one-of-my-main-techniques-for-acting-is-i-try-to-know-almost-nothing/) [Kristin Bauer van Straten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-bauer-van-straten/) > [I started studying at 26. Before that, I never thought of acting as something that I would ever try.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gale-harold/i-started-studying-at-26-before-that-i-never-thought-of-acting-as/) [Gale Harold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gale-harold/) > [I did an internship in the Silicon Valley during the Internet boom. I couldn't imagine sitting in a cubicle the rest of my life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-chon/i-did-an-internship-in-the-silicon-valley-during-the-internet-boom-i/) [Justin Chon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-chon/) > [In acting, I always try to go back to what would actually be the real situation, the real human behavior in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-de-niro/in-acting-i-always-try-to-go-back-to-what-would-actually-be-the-real/) [Robert De Niro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-de-niro/) > [I was about to get a degree in economics when I accepted that I'd be a lousy businessman, and if I didn't give acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-gallagher/i-was-about-to-get-a-degree-in-economics-when-i-accepted-that-i-d-be/) [Peter Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-gallagher/) > [Lead by example. Women often wait for permission instead of acting, and I try to encourage bold action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/belinda-johnson/lead-by-example-women-often-wait-for-permission-instead-of-acting-and/) [Belinda Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/belinda-johnson/) ## More by Renee O'Connor > [I love actors who are wonderful - like John Cusack and Russell Crowe, and wouldn't it be a treat to eventually direct them one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/i-love-actors-who-are-wonderful-like-john-cusack-and-russell-crowe/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [I've been looking at oil paintings from oriental artists lately, and the one artist who's inspired me right now is a man named Hokusai…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/i-ve-been-looking-at-oil-paintings-from-oriental-artists-lately-and/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [All the pictures in magazines and all of that is fun but in the end it's all about your soul and who you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/all-the-pictures-in-magazines-and-all-of-that-is-fun-but-in-the-end/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [Like when you go to a magic show and you know how they do the illusions. That's how I am when I watch any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/like-when-you-go-to-a-magic-show-and-you-know-how-they-do-the/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [Painting is a hobby for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/painting-is-a-hobby-for-me/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [When Xena finished I just really wanted to work with Shakespeare's material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/when-xena-finished-i-just-really-wanted-to-work-with-shakespeare-s/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [In film and television you have to be able to see the whole picture in a different way than you do on the stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/in-film-and-television-you-have-to-be-able-to-see-the-whole-picture/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [But it just comes down to trying to get the work out there and however the team fits together then that's the way it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/but-it-just-comes-down-to-trying-to-get-the-work-out-there-and/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [When you think about going back to the States you start to become more aware of the violence there and how we pollute the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/when-you-think-about-going-back-to-the-states-you-start-to-become/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [We are always just trying to be strong and yet in touch with our bodies and the only way you can really do that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/we-are-always-just-trying-to-be-strong-and-yet-in-touch-with-our/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [I think I'll always be a theater gypsy at heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/i-think-i-ll-always-be-a-theater-gypsy-at-heart/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [And I think because there is an essence of me that cares about other people and what other people think then that then makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/and-i-think-because-there-is-an-essence-of-me-that-cares-about-other/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [I always thought I would be a marine biologist because I love the sea - but considering the fact that I've always loved acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/i-always-thought-i-would-be-a-marine-biologist-because-i-love-the-sea/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [Because I've always been more afraid of writing than I have of doing anything visually such as directing or acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/because-i-ve-always-been-more-afraid-of-writing-than-i-have-of-doing/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) > [I find that actors who are wanting to pursue tv or films don't seem to have much interest in classical theatre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/i-find-that-actors-who-are-wanting-to-pursue-tv-or-films-don-t-seem/) [Renee O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) [Explore all 35 Renee O'Connor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/) ## 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 > [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": "Actually I have to say when I'm acting, I try not to think about directing at all.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Renee O'Connor" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/actually-i-have-to-say-when-i-m-acting-i-try-not-to-think-about/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/actually-i-have-to-say-when-i-m-acting-i-try-not-to-think-about/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/renee-o-connor-18238_acting_actually-i-have-to-say-when-i-m-acting-i_2935547.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/renee-o-connor-18238_acting_actually-i-have-to-say-when-i-m-acting-i_2935547.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/renee-o-connor-18238_acting_actually-i-have-to-say-when-i-m-acting-i_2935547.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Actually I have to say when I'm acting, I try not to think about directing at all.” — Renee O'Connor", "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": "Renee O'Connor", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-o-connor/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Actually I have to say when...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/actually-i-have-to-say-when-i-m-acting-i-try-not-to-think-about/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-o-connor/actually-i-have-to-say-when-i-m-acting-i-try-not-to-think-about/#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 } } ] } ```