I only work with actors who take full responsibility for their characters.
Meaning of the quote
The director is saying that he only wants to work with actors who take complete ownership of the characters they play in movies. He expects the actors to fully understand and deeply connect with the characters they portray, rather than just reading their lines. The director believes that actors who are truly responsible for their characters will give the best and most authentic performances.
About Jonathan Demme
Jonathan Demme was an acclaimed American filmmaker who directed a diverse range of films, including the psychological horror classic The Silence of the Lambs, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Director. He was known for his humanist approach and directed numerous acclaimed documentaries and concert films throughout his prolific career.
More quotes from Jonathan Demme
I also feel that the only thing more gratifying than working with someone who you’ve worked well with is working with someone new and coming up with something great.
American film director (1944-2017)
When Silence of the Lambs did well commercially it was more than anything. My partner Ed Saxon and I were just so relieved that finally we had made a movie that had made some money!
American film director (1944-2017)
I don’t think it’s sacrilegious to remake any movie, including a good or even great movie.
American film director (1944-2017)
I had very strong feelings, so the chance to make a film that deals in an imaginative way with stuff you care tremendously about is a real high. It’s a really amazing thing to be able to do.
American film director (1944-2017)
I only work with actors who take full responsibility for their characters.
American film director (1944-2017)
I was a sort of rock journalist – whatever that is – in London in the late ’60s.
American film director (1944-2017)
I don’t think of Storefront Hitchcock or Stop Making Sense as documentaries, I think of them more as performance films.
American film director (1944-2017)