If you give a character room to breathe, they come alive.

Meaning of the quote

When you let a character in a story have their own thoughts, feelings, and ways of doing things, instead of controlling everything they do, that character becomes more real and interesting. Just like a real person, they start to feel alive and full of life.

About Catherine Keener

Catherine Keener is an acclaimed American actress known for her roles in independent films and supporting parts in studio productions. She has been nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress, and has worked extensively with directors like Nicole Holofcener, Tom DiCillo, and Spike Jonze. Keener has also lent her voice to several animated films, including The Croods and Incredibles 2.

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More quotes from Catherine Keener

Most times when people pitch you as being perfect for a part… they don’t look at you as an actor who can transform. A lot of people are so literal.

Catherine Keener

American actress

These days there are a lot of people who just want to be famous. I think that comes from a naive place, because those people generally don’t know what it’s like.

Catherine Keener

American actress

Insecurity is just something that’s there all the time. I’ve never been crippled by it.

Catherine Keener

American actress

The movies I’m in not a lot of people see, but it’s alright.

Catherine Keener

American actress

Sometimes it just doesn’t translate to people. You just move on, and you feel bad because people worked so hard on it and everyone loved it… Everybody was treated so well and was going for something and trying to do the best work possible.

Catherine Keener

American actress

I’m not a public figure at all. I don’t really go out a lot to places where there are people like those who sit at the bottom of your driveway.

Catherine Keener

American actress

I… had guys on the set who didn’t like me… they weren’t interested in the cold character.

Catherine Keener

American actress

I’m unqualified for anything else. I’m barely qualified for this.

Catherine Keener

American actress

If you give a character room to breathe, they come alive.

Catherine Keener

American actress

I think people are always looking for a good comedy.

Catherine Keener

American actress

I know many great actors who have small heads.

Catherine Keener

American actress

The more people involved in making a movie, the worse it is, generally.

Catherine Keener

American actress

If you work in casting, it’s sort of not cool to want to act. A lot of people think that casting directors are frustrated actors, but it wasn’t true with any of the casting people I knew.

Catherine Keener

American actress

I don’t think I’m very ambitious at all. But I seem to play people who have that quality.

Catherine Keener

American actress

I just never fantasized about Mr. Rogers, but I like his whole vibe.

Catherine Keener

American actress

I’ve worked with a lot of great directors.

Catherine Keener

American actress

The movies I usually do are maybe three or four weeks because they don’t have a lot of money.

Catherine Keener

American actress