--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You're used to having a camera in your…" description: "\"You're used to having a camera in your face when you're playing a character - it's like having a mask on. But when you have to be you, you're so worrie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/sheridan-smith-16226_acting_you-re-used-to-having-a-camera-in-your-f_2682811.jpg" --- # You're used to having a camera in your face when you're… ![“You're used to having a camera in your face when you're playing a character - it's like having a mask on. But when you have to be you, you're so worried you'll make an idiot of yourself. Acting is a kind of escapism.” quote by Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/sheridan-smith-16226_acting_you-re-used-to-having-a-camera-in-your-f_2682811.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/sheridan-smith-16226_acting_you-re-used-to-having-a-camera-in-your-f_2682811.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/sheridan-smith-16226_acting_you-re-used-to-having-a-camera-in-your-f_2682811.jpg) > “You're used to having a camera in your face when you're playing a character - it's like having a mask on. But when you have to be you, you're so worried you'll make an idiot of yourself. Acting is a kind of escapism.” [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors hide behind a persona, fearing authenticity will reveal flaws. **In simple terms:** Fear of being oneself on stage. Key Takeaway Embrace genuine self‑expression. Themes performance identity vulnerability Mood introspective encouraging Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - theatre - public speaking - self‑growth Key Concepts self‑presentation psychology of acting Questions to Reflect On - What masks do you wear? - How can you practice authenticity? A Different Perspective Authenticity can be risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-kind-484996/) [Camera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/camera/) [Camera Face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/camera-face-694243/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Escapism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/escapism/) [Face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/face/) [Having](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having/) [Idiot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idiot/) [Idiot Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idiot-acting-2348884/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make/) [Mask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mask/) [Playing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing/) [Playing Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-character/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Worried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worried/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) [Yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yourself/) ## Related quotes > [I love being an idiot, and acting lets you be an idiot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/i-love-being-an-idiot-and-acting-lets-you-be-an-idiot/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [I bought my first camera to photograph my brother's children. I learned a lot from that experience. The value of innocence and of not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lindbergh/i-bought-my-first-camera-to-photograph-my-brother-s-children-i/) [Peter Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lindbergh/) > [Click! In other words, I'm in a very controlling position, and I can bring... and I've already... if the camera's on you, your face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-avedon/click-in-other-words-i-m-in-a-very-controlling-position-and-i-can/) [Richard Avedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-avedon/) > [I was shocked the first time the paps got me in America - when a video camera is put in your face and you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-moyer/i-was-shocked-the-first-time-the-paps-got-me-in-america-when-a-video/) [Stephen Moyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-moyer/) > [I'm pretty sure I don't want a camera in my face when I am in labor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-ballinger/i-m-pretty-sure-i-don-t-want-a-camera-in-my-face-when-i-am-in-labor/) [Colleen Ballinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-ballinger/) > [Whenever there's a camera in my face, that's when I feel vulnerable, and then it turns into a little bit of being self-conscious, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/whenever-there-s-a-camera-in-my-face-that-s-when-i-feel-vulnerable/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [I will always have your picture but my camera will never see your face again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-will-always-have-your-picture-but-my-camera-will-never-see-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm used to having a camera in my face but not a camera following me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zlatan-ibrahimovic/i-m-used-to-having-a-camera-in-my-face-but-not-a-camera-following-me/) [Zlatan Ibrahimovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zlatan-ibrahimovic/) > [If someone put a camera in my face now, when I am in student mode, I would get embarrassed, but when I am modelling,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriella-wilde/if-someone-put-a-camera-in-my-face-now-when-i-am-in-student-mode-i/) [Gabriella Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriella-wilde/) > [So the thing that's beautiful about the Rolleiflex is that I open the camera up from the top and put my face in and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-modine/so-the-thing-that-s-beautiful-about-the-rolleiflex-is-that-i-open-the/) [Matthew Modine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-modine/) > [When you're in a theater, it's about reaching the back rows. When you have a camera in your face, it's just about knowing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-stoll/when-you-re-in-a-theater-it-s-about-reaching-the-back-rows-when-you/) [Corey Stoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-stoll/) > [I always hated how I looked on camera. I never put a face to my music, which actually made the music that much more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-weeknd/i-always-hated-how-i-looked-on-camera-i-never-put-a-face-to-my-music/) [The Weeknd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-weeknd/) > [I think it's hard to have a camera in your face every day. If you're not already confident about how you look, then you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-port/i-think-it-s-hard-to-have-a-camera-in-your-face-every-day-if-you-re/) [Whitney Port](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-port/) > [If someone falls down, pick them back up. Just because there's not a frickin camera in your face doesn't mean you don't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-joe-armstrong/if-someone-falls-down-pick-them-back-up-just-because-there-s-not-a/) [Billie Joe Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-joe-armstrong/) > [I'm just kind of private just because I grew up always with a camera in my face because of my father, and I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-m-just-kind-of-private-just-because-i-grew-up-always-with-a-camera/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) ## More by Sheridan Smith > [I've been so lucky with the people I've worked with, but I'm such a fan girl. When I moved to London at 16, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-ve-been-so-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-but-i-m-such-a/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I certainly never get above my station - my family would soon slap me back down to earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-certainly-never-get-above-my-station-my-family-would-soon-slap-me/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I'm normally a burger and chips girl - such a cheap date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-m-normally-a-burger-and-chips-girl-such-a-cheap-date/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [My brother is the lead singer of The Torn, and my parents are in a country duo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/my-brother-is-the-lead-singer-of-the-torn-and-my-parents-are-in-a/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I swore on screen when I got the Olivier for 'Legally Blonde,' I was so surprised. Awards where the public vote mean a lot.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-swore-on-screen-when-i-got-the-olivier-for-legally-blonde-i-was-so/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I'm such a weirdo. I'm animal-mad, so my ideal date would probably be something involving going to see animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-m-such-a-weirdo-i-m-animal-mad-so-my-ideal-date-would-probably-be/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I pull my eyelashes when I'm tired or thinking - it's a nervous thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-pull-my-eyelashes-when-i-m-tired-or-thinking-it-s-a-nervous-thing/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > ['Benidorm' is such a great show. There's nothing else like it. You might think the characters are far-fetched, but then you get out here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/benidorm-is-such-a-great-show-there-s-nothing-else-like-it-you-might/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I'm really grateful to my parents for having the confidence in me to let me go. I was terrified I might have to slink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-m-really-grateful-to-my-parents-for-having-the-confidence-in-me-to/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I did say I don't feel as worthy as so many of the recipients ... He said he'd seen some of my work, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-did-say-i-don-t-feel-as-worthy-as-so-many-of-the-recipients-he-said/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I do love Louboutin shoes, but I need to stop buying them because I don't go to many 'dos,' so they just line up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-do-love-louboutin-shoes-but-i-need-to-stop-buying-them-because-i/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I think the first album I bought was The Jackson Five, but the first CD I was given was 'Cotton-Eyed Joe,' the single! Bless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-think-the-first-album-i-bought-was-the-jackson-five-but-the-first/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [Maybe I'm going from that tomboy-ish state to feeling a bit more womanly. I've enjoyed wearing some fancy frocks. It's nice once in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/maybe-i-m-going-from-that-tomboy-ish-state-to-feeling-a-bit-more/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I really fancy Eddie Redmayne. I wouldn't mind a few steamy scenes with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-really-fancy-eddie-redmayne-i-wouldn-t-mind-a-few-steamy-scenes/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I don't mind being unlikely. I'd rather that than be predictable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-don-t-mind-being-unlikely-i-d-rather-that-than-be-predictable/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) [Explore all 40 Sheridan Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "You're used to having a camera in your face when you're playing a character - it's like having a mask on. But when you have to be you, you're so worried you'll make an idiot of yourself. 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