--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't like waiting around for work, and…" description: "\"I don't like waiting around for work, and sometimes as an actor you're forced into that position, so that's sort of how I got into writing, producing a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d9/thomas-ian-nicholas-25692_actor_i-don-t-like-waiting-around-for-work-and_1703206.jpg" --- # I don't like waiting around for work, and sometimes as an… ![“I don't like waiting around for work, and sometimes as an actor you're forced into that position, so that's sort of how I got into writing, producing and directing.” quote by Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d9/thomas-ian-nicholas-25692_actor_i-don-t-like-waiting-around-for-work-and_1703206.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d9/thomas-ian-nicholas-25692_actor_i-don-t-like-waiting-around-for-work-and_1703206.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d9/thomas-ian-nicholas-25692_actor_i-don-t-like-waiting-around-for-work-and_1703206.jpg) > “I don't like waiting around for work, and sometimes as an actor you're forced into that position, so that's sort of how I got into writing, producing and directing.” [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Waiting for work leads to exploring other creative roles, turning idle time into proactive pursuits. **In simple terms:** Idle time can become creative work. Key Takeaway Use downtime to develop new skills. Themes career transition creativity proactivity waiting multitasking Mood encouraging pragmatic Type motivational practical When to use this quote - freelance projects - writing workshops - networking events - personal branding Key Concepts skill development entrepreneurship self‑direction Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance waiting with proactive creation? - What skills can you develop while waiting for work? A Different Perspective Waiting can cause financial strain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I started out as an actor, but I forced myself to be a writer, even though I wasn't very good at it and had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/i-started-out-as-an-actor-but-i-forced-myself-to-be-a-writer-even/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [Thus the woman, who had perversely exceeded her proper bounds, is forced back to her own position. She had, indeed, previously been subject to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/thus-the-woman-who-had-perversely-exceeded-her-proper-bounds-is/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [I have a lot of appreciation for what people do in front of the camera as well as behind the camera. I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masi-oka/i-have-a-lot-of-appreciation-for-what-people-do-in-front-of-the/) [Masi Oka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masi-oka/) > [It's a lot of work that goes into producing and directing and all those kinds of things. It doesn't just happen. It's a lotta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-connolly/it-s-a-lot-of-work-that-goes-into-producing-and-directing-and-all/) [Kevin Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-connolly/) > [I strongly believe that producing and directing will not go together. If you want to be producer, don't direct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyadarshan/i-strongly-believe-that-producing-and-directing-will-not-go-together/) [Priyadarshan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyadarshan/) > [In England, there's a lot of people producing their own work and becoming producers and filmmakers, so they're not constantly waiting around. It can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aml-ameen/in-england-there-s-a-lot-of-people-producing-their-own-work-and/) [Aml Ameen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aml-ameen/) > [ Why I'm so stimulated by \[producing\] is it becomes more proactive. Instead of waiting around for a script to come in, or some movie… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-renner/why-i-m-so-stimulated-by-producing-is-it-becomes-more-proactive/) [Jeremy Renner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-renner/) > [Writing, producing and directing, I must say, is incredibly satisfying and gratifying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-jason-leigh/writing-producing-and-directing-i-must-say-is-incredibly-satisfying-2/) [Jennifer Jason Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-jason-leigh/) > [Sometimes when you're producing or directing something, and which I've been at fault to do in the past, you find yourself trying to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilmer-valderrama/sometimes-when-you-re-producing-or-directing-something-and-which-i-ve/) [Wilmer Valderrama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilmer-valderrama/) > [When you are a filmmaker, you need to be rooted, because committing yourself to producing or directing a film is a good three-year process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-bedi/when-you-are-a-filmmaker-you-need-to-be-rooted-because-committing/) [Kabir Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-bedi/) > [I really think that's what my real talent is; behind the camera Producing or Directing, or just puttin' the visual to anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-dre-2/i-really-think-that-s-what-my-real-talent-is-behind-the-camera/) [Dr Dre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-dre-2/) > [As filmmakers, you're not working on just one project, you're producing something, directing something, shooting something, and so it becomes hard to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy/as-filmmakers-you-re-not-working-on-just-one-project-you-re-producing/) [Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy/) > [I'm focusing on my efforts behind the camera. I'm doing some producing and directing so that I can make projects for all of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-keltz/i-m-focusing-on-my-efforts-behind-the-camera-i-m-doing-some-producing/) [Jonathan Keltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-keltz/) > [I'm wearing three hats; I'm acting, producing, and directing. I was very involved in developing the script, too. But to me, that is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/i-m-wearing-three-hats-i-m-acting-producing-and-directing-i-was-very/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [I definitely want to do other things outside of acting like producing, directing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skai-jackson/i-definitely-want-to-do-other-things-outside-of-acting-like-producing/) [Skai Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skai-jackson/) ## More by Thomas Ian Nicholas > [When I was doing the first 'American Pie' movie, I was just happy to have a job. 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The smaller the budget, the more you're like, "Okay, well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/the-bigger-the-budget-the-more-you-can-afford-to-compromise-with/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) > [There's something I really love about independent filmmaking. Everyone is a little bit more close-knit, and you rely on people a little bit more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/there-s-something-i-really-love-about-independent-filmmaking-everyone/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) > [Compromise is the key element. The more constraints you have, the more compromise you have to have. But, I personally believe that, when that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/compromise-is-the-key-element-the-more-constraints-you-have-the-more/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) > [I didn't really have the entire high school experience. I've been working since I was six years old, so I didn't go to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/i-didn-t-really-have-the-entire-high-school-experience-i-ve-been/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) > [I studied technique for ten years, from age 7 to 17. I guess you could say I went more on the Stanislavski side than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/i-studied-technique-for-ten-years-from-age-7-to-17-i-guess-you-could/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) > [Whenever I'm doing any film, I'm always just happy to have a job and I always just put 110% of myself into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/whenever-i-m-doing-any-film-i-m-always-just-happy-to-have-a-job-and-i/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) > [Surprise, surprise! I have a band! I'm really excited that we have a song on the soundtrack of 'American Reunion' for that very reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/surprise-surprise-i-have-a-band-i-m-really-excited-that-we-have-a/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) > [If I had 10 ideas and people said yes to all of them, half of them could be crap. But, if I've got 10…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/if-i-had-10-ideas-and-people-said-yes-to-all-of-them-half-of-them/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) > [It's one of those things where people tell you that when you have kids it will change your perspective on life, and you're like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/it-s-one-of-those-things-where-people-tell-you-that-when-you-have/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) > [Making a movie is like getting married. You're like, "Am I going to marry this project? Am I ready for that kind of commitment?"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/making-a-movie-is-like-getting-married-you-re-like-am-i-going-to/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) > [For me, as an actor, the most challenging thing is creating the character in the beginning because you have to write their backstory. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/for-me-as-an-actor-the-most-challenging-thing-is-creating-the/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) > [Everyone is a little bit more close-knit and you rely on people a little bit more. The bigger the budget gets, the more everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ian-nicholas/everyone-is-a-little-bit-more-close-knit-and-you-rely-on-people-a/) [Thomas Ian Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) [Explore all 22 Thomas Ian Nicholas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ian-nicholas/) ## 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. 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