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.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes that true artistry and talent often hide the hard work behind the scenes, allowing the audience to see only the beauty and grace.
Alan Rickman's quote reflects on the profound impact that Fred Astaire's dancing had on him. It illustrates how the beauty of Astaire's performances draws the viewer's attention to the essence of dance rather than the technical details; it signifies that the visible results of creativity and talent often mask the immense effort and dedication put into honing one's craft, showcasing the importance of passion and discipline in achieving greatness.
In practice
Referencing the quote during a speech about the work ethic behind artistic endeavors.
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.
I'm always aware of the camera and it feels like that's the audience.
Imagination is a form of seeing
You can't expect someone born into a family with no music...to understand when I'm conducting the Schönberg Variations.
Monet's garden must be included with his works, because he combined the magic of an adaptation of nature with the work of a painter of light. An extension of the studio into the openair, with color tones lavishly spread out on all sides to exercise the eye with seductive vibrations, from which a feverishly aroused retina expects unquenchable joy.
Form follows function - that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.
Give me a look, give me a face, That makes simplicity a grace Robes loosely flowing, hair as free Such sweet neglect more taketh me Than all the adulteries of art: They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.
By writing I can live in ways that I could not survive.
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