--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For me, that is the craft of acting…" description: "\"For me, that is the craft of acting: literally creating something from nothing.\" — Russell Hornsby" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/russell-hornsby-19820_acting_for-me-that-is-the-craft-of-acting-liter_1408709.jpg" --- # For me, that is the craft of acting: literally creating… ![“For me, that is the craft of acting: literally creating something from nothing.” quote by Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/russell-hornsby-19820_acting_for-me-that-is-the-craft-of-acting-liter_1408709.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/russell-hornsby-19820_acting_for-me-that-is-the-craft-of-acting-liter_1408709.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/russell-hornsby-19820_acting_for-me-that-is-the-craft-of-acting-liter_1408709.jpg) > “For me, that is the craft of acting: literally creating something from nothing.” [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting is the intentional act of bringing imagined reality into existence from a blank slate. **In simple terms:** Acting creates something from nothing. Key Takeaway Embrace imagination to shape reality. Themes creativity performance imagination Mood inspired reflective Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - theatre rehearsal - film audition - improv workshop - writing scene Key Concepts method acting creative process Questions to Reflect On - How does emptiness become a canvas? - What fears arise when creating from nothing? A Different Perspective Crafting requires discipline and vulnerability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Creating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creating/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) ## Related quotes > [When we think with love, we are literally co-creating with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/when-we-think-with-love-we-are-literally-co-creating-with-god/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [I really think that effective acting has to do literally with the movement of molecules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-really-think-that-effective-acting-has-to-do-literally-with-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think the performances that really communicate with me are the ones where I don't feel like I'm watching someone and thinking: "They're doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aisling-loftus/i-think-the-performances-that-really-communicate-with-me-are-the-ones/) [Aisling Loftus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aisling-loftus/) > [I'm a geeky actor, in the way that I like the craft of acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-tudyk/i-m-a-geeky-actor-in-the-way-that-i-like-the-craft-of-acting/) [Alan Tudyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-tudyk/) > [Reacting is so important to the craft of acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/reacting-is-so-important-to-the-craft-of-acting/) [John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/) > [We learned out craft. Acting is a craft and you must learn it. I see a lot of talent today in the kids but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-klugman/we-learned-out-craft-acting-is-a-craft-and-you-must-learn-it-i-see-a/) [Jack Klugman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-klugman/) > [As I got older, I went to school. I started doing plays, I learned about the craft of acting, and I started to love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-gunn/as-i-got-older-i-went-to-school-i-started-doing-plays-i-learned-about/) [Sean Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-gunn/) > [My job, and what I've taken such joy in, is the craft of acting and of creating dynamic and authentic characters, and then finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tucker/my-job-and-what-i-ve-taken-such-joy-in-is-the-craft-of-acting-and-of/) [Jonathan Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tucker/) > [It's a vain craft, acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-rees/it-s-a-vain-craft-acting/) [Roger Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-rees/) > [I don't see any difference in the craft of acting, in film or television. It's absolutely the same. It's different storytelling, playing a character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/i-don-t-see-any-difference-in-the-craft-of-acting-in-film-or/) [David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/) > [One of the things I learnt over the years is that there is a craft to writing, like there is a craft to acting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lennie-james/one-of-the-things-i-learnt-over-the-years-is-that-there-is-a-craft-to/) [Lennie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lennie-james/) > [It would be completely laughable if I claimed I was always motivated by the pure craft of acting and that recognition doesn't play a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-waltz/it-would-be-completely-laughable-if-i-claimed-i-was-always-motivated/) [Christoph Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christoph-waltz/) > [I'm a geeky actor, in the way that I like the craft of acting. I trained as a stage actor and was given a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-tudyk/i-m-a-geeky-actor-in-the-way-that-i-like-the-craft-of-acting-i/) [Alan Tudyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-tudyk/) > [I started doing theatre with Satyadev Dubey at Prithvi and I had to start from scratch. I had fallen in love with the craft…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tisca-chopra/i-started-doing-theatre-with-satyadev-dubey-at-prithvi-and-i-had-to/) [Tisca Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tisca-chopra/) > [I love the craft of acting, I love learning, I love everything that comes with the new project; the whole process is totally intoxicating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annette-bening/i-love-the-craft-of-acting-i-love-learning-i-love-everything-that/) [Annette Bening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annette-bening/) ## More by Russell Hornsby > [Something's always better than nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/something-s-always-better-than-nothing/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [What's fun about doing a series is you get to take some time to create the character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/what-s-fun-about-doing-a-series-is-you-get-to-take-some-time-to/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [As a black man, so often you grow up suppressing your emotions and sensitivity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/as-a-black-man-so-often-you-grow-up-suppressing-your-emotions-and/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [My philosophy is to live below your means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/my-philosophy-is-to-live-below-your-means/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [In 'The Hate U Give,' I play Big Mav', who was incarcerated for a number of years and is raising three children. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/in-the-hate-u-give-i-play-big-mav-who-was-incarcerated-for-a-number/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [I can't fake emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/i-can-t-fake-emotion/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [Every once in a while, we need to watch something that makes us feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/every-once-in-a-while-we-need-to-watch-something-that-makes-us-feel/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [A fence can be protective around your family - a familial fence. Then, there are the people who only know how to take, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/a-fence-can-be-protective-around-your-family-a-familial-fence-then/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [We are not apathetic in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/we-are-not-apathetic-in-this-country/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [These are human issues. These are human stories. I think that's why 'Fences' has been able to resonate and been able to hit so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/these-are-human-issues-these-are-human-stories-i-think-that-s-why/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [In a lot of work places, you work at a lot of jobs and people work more with their colleagues than with their family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/in-a-lot-of-work-places-you-work-at-a-lot-of-jobs-and-people-work/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [Kids - black kids - are forced to grow up too soon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/kids-black-kids-are-forced-to-grow-up-too-soon/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [Some people build fences to keep people out; some people build fences to keep people in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/some-people-build-fences-to-keep-people-out-some-people-build-fences/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [I mean, of course, I love sci-fi and stuff like that, but I'm not, like, a comic book crazy guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/i-mean-of-course-i-love-sci-fi-and-stuff-like-that-but-i-m-not-like-a/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) > [I subscribe to the slow nickel theory. You take a little bit at a time. You always make better of what you have when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/i-subscribe-to-the-slow-nickel-theory-you-take-a-little-bit-at-a-time/) [Russell Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) [Explore all 32 Russell Hornsby quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/) ## 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": "For me, that is the craft of acting: literally creating something from nothing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Russell Hornsby" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/for-me-that-is-the-craft-of-acting-literally-creating-something-from/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/for-me-that-is-the-craft-of-acting-literally-creating-something-from/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/russell-hornsby-19820_acting_for-me-that-is-the-craft-of-acting-liter_1408709.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/russell-hornsby-19820_acting_for-me-that-is-the-craft-of-acting-liter_1408709.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2f/russell-hornsby-19820_acting_for-me-that-is-the-craft-of-acting-liter_1408709.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“For me, that is the craft of acting: literally creating something from nothing.” — Russell Hornsby", "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": "Russell Hornsby", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-hornsby/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "For me, that is the craft...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/for-me-that-is-the-craft-of-acting-literally-creating-something-from/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-hornsby/for-me-that-is-the-craft-of-acting-literally-creating-something-from/#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 } } ] } ```