Well, in the theater, I think you're actually more responsible for what is going on onstage as a director than you are in film.
Interpretation
A director in theater has a more direct influence on the live performance compared to film.
In this quote, Philip Seymour Hoffman emphasizes the unique responsibilities of a theater director. He suggests that while both theater and film directors play crucial roles in storytelling, the immediacy and live nature of theater require a director to be more actively involved in shaping the performance as it unfolds, highlighting the dynamic relationship between the director and the performers on stage.
In practice
In a lecture about directing, this quote beautifully illustrates the challenges of live theater.
I think I would have drank myself to death, literally, if I didn't just stop, once and for all when I did. I am not ever going to preach to anyone about drugs or drinking. But, for me, when they were around, I had no self control.
Study, find all the good teachers and study with them, get involved in acting to act, not to be famous or for the money. Do plays. It's not worth it if you are just in it for the money. You have to love it.
I've had to make the transition from sweeping in for 15 minutes, doing my stuff and clearing out, to carrying a movie for the duration - in a dress.
I had insecurities and fears like everybody does, and I got over it. But I was interested in the parts of me that struggled with those things.
I didn't have any idea that I would be able to have a career in film.
There’s a period of time in your life when I kind of look back, and I’m like, was I happy, or was I just not aware?
Everything that happened to me as a child involved music. It was part of everyday life, as automatic as breathing.
Some people have written that my writing has helped them go on. It has helped me too. The writing, the roses, the 9 cats.
Hip-hop is one of the most free art forms there is. There's so many sounds you can use, so many things you can bring in. You never know, man. I bet years ago people would've never said they would hear me with Rick Ross, and we did four classic songs together.
I've never liked the word 'celebrity.' I like to photograph people who are good at what they do.
Meet some people who care about poetry the way you do. You'll have that readership. Keep going until you know you're doing work that's worthy. And then see what happens. That's my advice.
As an artist, you are always striving toward an ultimate achievement but never seem to reach it. You shoot a film, and the result could have always been better. You try again, and fail once more. In some ways I find it enjoyable. You never lose sight of your goal. I don’t do my job to make money or to break box office records, I simply try things out. What would happen if I were to achieve perfection at some point? What would I do then?
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