It is only the untalented director who imagines him or herself in every part, wants his or her own thoughts and emotions portrayed; it is only the untalented who make their own limitations those of the actors as well.
Interpretation
A talented director recognizes the individuality of actors and does not impose their own limitations on them.
Liv Ullmann's quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing the unique abilities and perspectives of actors in the creative process. She suggests that a good director should allow actors the freedom to bring their own thoughts and emotions to their roles rather than imposing their own, as this leads to more authentic and compelling performances. In contrast, those who lack talent may try to project themselves onto every character, thus limiting the potential of the actors and the overall artistic outcome.
In practice
In a film class, while discussing the role of a director, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of collaboration.
I do not want to arrive at the end of life and then be asked what I made of it and have to answer: 'I acted.' I want to be able to say: 'I loved and I was mystified. It was a joy sometimes, and I knew grief. And I would like to do it all again.'
Music is the reaching out towards the utmost realities by means of ordered sound.
Improvisation is too good to leave to chance.
The theater has to impose itself on the public, and not the public on the theater... The word "Art" should be written everywhere, in the auditorium and in the dressing rooms, before the word "Business" gets written there.
Honest criticism and sensitive appreciation are directed not upon the poet but upon the poetry.
Writing fueled me, and my task was to make it fit into my life. I practiced my trade as an attorney, and on weekends and holidays, I typed away. I assumed a nom de plume, Selena Montgomery, to separate my fiction from more academic publications.
Performance has to be mainstream art. This is what I'm fighting for.
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