Acting Dynamics Quotes

The thing that made 'M*A*S*H' so good was the fact that we did have those relationships off-camera and took them on-camera.

One thing I think is really important is chemistry, and if actors have chemistry, audiences will pick up on that. Audiences will root for characters that don't even exist as a couple because the actors' chemistry is so strong.

Take characters that Nicholson or De Niro play: they're not always tough.

It's a mystery, that thing about chemistry, because often people who hate each other in real life and hate each other on the set have great chemistry on the screen. And people who love each other in real life and love each other on the set have absolutely no chemistry whatsoever.

I’ve been lucky, so lucky, working with [...] Rachel (McAdams) on The Notebook. A big draw for me, when I do a film, is who am I going to be opposite, because there’s only so much I can do on my own.

When the actor you're developing a rapport with is directing, you feel much more camaraderie about scenes, and you can relate in a much tighter way.

When I am cast in a movie where I feel that the woman's part is more interesting, I usually start thinking about Spencer Tracy and Fred Astaire. They seem to be the most clear actors when working with women.

William Atherton has a very different acting style to Bonnie Bedelia; she has a very different style than Bruce Willis.

People always ask me about my makeout scenes with him [Tyler Posey]. We joke around a lot and are like, ‘Oh, that was a sloppy one!’ But seriously, I don’t have to make an effort to have chemistry with him. He’s such a sweet guy and really loyal.

Chemistry's a weird thing. You can see actors who are friends in real life but have no screen chemistry. Then there are actors who don't get on but have great chemistry.

Well, it definitely comes as a challenge to act as enemies onscreen when you bond with the opposite person very well off-screen.

It's hard to compare actors from different generations.

It gives me a chance to explore so many dynamics - that's what we actors dream of doing. So, I love playing the villain.

When you're in a two-shot together, you can't be the same as when you're both in singles. Try as you will, it cannot be the same as when you're in the shot together. It simply cannot be. It's physically impossible. You're behind the camera desperately wanting to help your colleague. When it's just you, on your own, it can be self-conscious in a way that you're not when we're just talking, you and I, and then all of a sudden it's me and then it's you. The two-shots were probably more natural.

In February 1953, I was making a second picture with Jeff Chandler, one called War Arrow. Jeff was a real sweetheart, but acting with him was like acting with a broomstick.

Acting is nothing but reacting, so if your co-stars react in a particular way, it does affect your acting as well.

You hear about actors who were doing five years on a series as lovers and actually hated each other. I don't know if I could pull it off.

There was a great ensemble in 'The Great Fire,' and it was great not having the same parade of actors.

Actors are always weird about acting with their spouse or their boyfriend or girlfriend, but more because they think audiences will find it boring.

He has all those different aspects to him, so I can more or less decide as a performer how I'm going to deliver a line in a particular scene, or play a particular scene in total.