--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes it takes me six months before I…" description: "\"Sometimes it takes me six months before I find out what a line means, even if the writing is superficial... To do a play right, really, I'd like to tak..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c86/walter-matthau-17641_character_sometimes-it-takes-me-six-months-before_948173.jpg" --- # Sometimes it takes me six months before I find out what a… ![“Sometimes it takes me six months before I find out what a line means, even if the writing is superficial... To do a play right, really, I'd like to take two years of rehearsal. You study the character by living with him.” quote by Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c86/walter-matthau-17641_character_sometimes-it-takes-me-six-months-before_948173.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c86/walter-matthau-17641_character_sometimes-it-takes-me-six-months-before_948173.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c86/walter-matthau-17641_character_sometimes-it-takes-me-six-months-before_948173.jpg) > “Sometimes it takes me six months before I find out what a line means, even if the writing is superficial... To do a play right, really, I'd like to take two years of rehearsal. You study the character by living with him.” [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding a character requires living with them over time, not just reading lines. **In simple terms:** Live the role fully. Key Takeaway Invest time in character study. Themes acting craft rehearsal Mood analytical practical Type theatrical educational When to use this quote - stage productions - film auditions - workshops Key Concepts method acting character immersion theatre practice Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to “live” a character? - How can you deepen role understanding quickly? A Different Perspective Time constraints limit deep immersion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Rehearsal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rehearsal/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [We study the character's education and social experience, their likes, dislikes and places they have lived. How they speak, and so on. What we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-root/we-study-the-character-s-education-and-social-experience-their-likes/) [Rebecca Root](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-root/) > [When you study a character, when you're making a film, you want to understand the character: like, what makes them tick?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-faris/when-you-study-a-character-when-you-re-making-a-film-you-want-to/) [Valerie Faris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-faris/) > [You say often you wish a library; here I gif you one; for between these two lids (he meant covers) is many books in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/you-say-often-you-wish-a-library-here-i-gif-you-one-for-between-these/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [History thus becomes largely a study of character. Insight into temperament is hardly less important than the probing of "original materials."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-francis-adams-jr/history-thus-becomes-largely-a-study-of-character-insight-into/) Charles Francis Adams Jr > [Nowadays grandmasters no longer study their opponent's games so much, but they study his character, his behaviour and his temperament in the most thorough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bronstein/nowadays-grandmasters-no-longer-study-their-opponent-s-games-so-much/) [David Bronstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bronstein/) > [I make it a point to study the character I do, and if the story demands that I wear a particular outfit, I'm game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hansika-motwani/i-make-it-a-point-to-study-the-character-i-do-and-if-the-story/) [Hansika Motwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hansika-motwani/) > [Those who relish the study of character may profit by the reading of good works of fiction, the product of well-established authors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-whately/those-who-relish-the-study-of-character-may-profit-by-the-reading-of/) [Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/) > [When you go for something because you're curious about it, you get psyched up about the chance of getting into it. It's like an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/when-you-go-for-something-because-you-re-curious-about-it-you-get/) [Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/) > [When you start digging into things like character, though, the notion that people have high character or low character is very strong. What's crazy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-todd-rose/when-you-start-digging-into-things-like-character-though-the-notion/) [L. Todd Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-todd-rose/) > [I guess because you study the character and you do all those things. But when it comes down to it, it's still my performance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-welch/i-guess-because-you-study-the-character-and-you-do-all-those-things/) [Michael Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-welch/) > [For someone who works in theatre, the rehearsal is where you discover everything. It is where magic happens, where the script enters you and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-fazal/for-someone-who-works-in-theatre-the-rehearsal-is-where-you-discover/) [Ali Fazal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-fazal/) > [Shooting at Quentin Tarantino movie was like a masterclass in directing. Although I went back literally right into rehearsal, started shooting... while I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/shooting-at-quentin-tarantino-movie-was-like-a-masterclass-in/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [I like to do everything you can possibly do before you go into rehearsal, because once we are in rehearsal or on the stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-prince/i-like-to-do-everything-you-can-possibly-do-before-you-go-into/) [Harold Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-prince/) > [I'm not one to dwell on rehearsal or preparation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrice-leconte/i-m-not-one-to-dwell-on-rehearsal-or-preparation/) [Patrice Leconte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrice-leconte/) > [You could get in rehearsals, pre-production, anything that would actually contribute to the understanding of how a film gets made. I actually find those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-roach/you-could-get-in-rehearsals-pre-production-anything-that-would/) [Jay Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-roach/) ## More by Walter Matthau > [I still think I'm 28. I'm 73. I think I'm 28, though, except that I won't get into a fight with anybody because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-still-think-i-m-28-i-m-73-i-think-i-m-28-though-except-that-i-won-t/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [To be successful in show business, all you need are 50 good breaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/to-be-successful-in-show-business-all-you-need-are-50-good-breaks/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I was playing Russell Long, the senator from Louisiana. I had 12 speech teachers watching me. All the other passengers on the airplane were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-was-playing-russell-long-the-senator-from-louisiana-i-had-12-speech/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [Doing a movie is like eating five hundred canapes at a cocktail party - you're never really full. You don't feel as though you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/doing-a-movie-is-like-eating-five-hundred-canapes-at-a-cocktail-party/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I always had one ear offstage, listening for the call from the bookie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-always-had-one-ear-offstage-listening-for-the-call-from-the-bookie/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [Every actor looks all his life for a part that will combine his talents with his personality... 'The Odd Couple' was mine. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/every-actor-looks-all-his-life-for-a-part-that-will-combine-his/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I can relate to anything. I once played Macbeth. I got a lot of laughs, so I quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-can-relate-to-anything-i-once-played-macbeth-i-got-a-lot-of-laughs/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [You see, my father was a Catholic priest, Greek Orthodox, but I think he started out as a Jew, then he became a Catholic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/you-see-my-father-was-a-catholic-priest-greek-orthodox-but-i-think-he/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [We're writing a book together. She just finished one. Did you read it? Among the Porcupines?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/we-re-writing-a-book-together-she-just-finished-one-did-you-read-it/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I have more talent in my smallest fart than you have in your entire body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-have-more-talent-in-my-smallest-fart-than-you-have-in-your-entire/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn't pay the bill he gave me six months more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/my-doctor-gave-me-six-months-to-live-but-when-i-couldn-t-pay-the-bill/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [The first girl you go to bed with is always pretty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/the-first-girl-you-go-to-bed-with-is-always-pretty/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [When I was about eighteen, I saw myself as a rather sensitive, delicate, poetic, romantic figure. And then I got into the Civilian Conservation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/when-i-was-about-eighteen-i-saw-myself-as-a-rather-sensitive-delicate/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I could play a cop, I could play a crook, I could play a lawyer, I could play a dentist, I could play an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-could-play-a-cop-i-could-play-a-crook-i-could-play-a-lawyer-i-could/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [Why don't you do the world a favour. Pull your bottom lip up over your head and swallow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/why-don-t-you-do-the-world-a-favour-pull-your-bottom-lip-up-over-your/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) [Explore all 36 Walter Matthau quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [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/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [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/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sometimes it takes me six months before I find out what a line means, even if the writing is superficial... 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