I get stage fright and gremlins in my head saying: 'You're going to forget your lines'.
Interpretation
The fear of performance can be overwhelming, but acknowledging it is the first step to overcoming it.
In this quote, Alan Rickman opens up about his personal struggle with stage fright, revealing the inner doubts and fears that plague many performers. He shares a relatable sentiment that even seasoned actors can feel anxious about forgetting their lines, highlighting the courage it takes to face these fears and continue to perform despite them.
In practice
This quote is perfect to share before a school play to encourage students facing their fears.
Film has to be reflecting the world that we live in, and that's all you want to be a part of. Actors inhabit the same planet as everyone else. It's a weird thing that happens when you're an actor because people hold you up because you somehow embody in parts groups of people or people's hopes or something.
You can act truthfully or you can lie. You can reveal things about yourself or you can hide. Therefore, the audience recognizes something about themselves or they don't -- You hope they don't leave the theatre thinking that was nice...now where's the cab?'
I'm a lot less serious than people think, it's probably because the way my face is put together.
Those of you who are not aware of my brilliant career as a stand up comic, I'm not aware of it either so we might well wonder what we're doing here.
Acting is mostly about listening. If you just focus in on what the other person is saying, acting takes care of itself to quite a large extent.
When I am asked about influences, I always say I bow down to Fred Astaire, because when you look at him dancing you never look at his extremities, do you? You look at his centre. What you never see is the hours of work that went into the routines, you just see the breathtaking spirit and freedom.
The thing about a hero, is even when it doesn't look like there's a light at the end of the tunnel, he's going to keep digging, he's going to keep trying to do right and make up for what's gone before, just because that's who he is.
Faith is like stepping off a cliff and expecting one of two outcomes- you will either land on solid ground or you will be taught to fly.
Frequent and violent temptations were a proof that the citadel of the soul had not fallen and that the devil raged to make it fall.
Psychologically, I will not have to seek far if I decide to kill myself, because in my mind and heart I am more ready for this than for the unplanned daily tribulations that mark off the mornings and afternoons.
What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.
It is glorious to see such courage in one so young.
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