Michael Pitt Quotes

I think it's very dangerous for an actor to take [shooting] too seriously because I think it could really damage you if you do that.

'Boardwalk' begins literally on the first day of Prohibition, which I think was a wonderful way to start - to have the story kind of come out of this massive historical phenomenon. And the more I researched the '20s, the more I discovered just how interesting it was.

'Boardwalk' has kind of exposed me to a different demographic. And it upped my skills in terms of the speed with which I can prep a scene, and I'm excited to apply that.

I think that it's important not to take [acting] too seriously. It's all pretend. It's a strange job.

There are two kinds of directors: There's the kind where two plus two equals four, and you have to help them figure it out. And then there's the kind that throws you in a room, locks the door, sets the house on fire and films it.

I don't have a lot of time to surf the net and see what everyone's wearing.

I saw the main character played by Mads Mikkelsen, and he's amazing. Hannibal had that going for it.

In a weird way scientists understand things on a higher level but it takes a lot of dedication and a lot of time.

It sounds cliche, but success is your friends, your family, what you do, and if you're happy when you wake up.

If I'm able to catch the screening, there's a point in the film where, like clockwork, a portion of the audience gets really emotional and begins to cry. And that's very difficult to make happen.

I needed to stay in the character.

I want my audience to say, "Wow, this is a film I'm benefiting from. I'm benefiting from what this filmmaker is trying to say." I'd always rather learn and be entertained than be entertained and feel myself getting dumber by the moment.

Acting is really scary, but it's also challenging, fun, hard work. There's always an element of improvisation with every actor, even when something is really scripted.

Now is a very interesting time because of the digital cameras, and the fact that you can edit anywhere. It's a great time to be a filmmaker, is a great time to be starting off.

I've worked with a lot great directors who have huge resumes, but I'm really trying to be active in my career in supporting the new generation of cinema. I like taking some time to try to support and be a part of that.

I think my audience is smart. If there's a way to be entertained and get things out - real things, not stupid moral crap - that's the best.

I've noticed that sometimes when you keep things a little smaller, it's easier to focus on the creative aspects of what you're doing.

I have fun making films. I love making films. It's the only thing I know how to do. And I do it well.

When people go at war they cheapen things.

I feel that film, as opposed to theatre, is about capturing that one, real moment.

'Dawson's Creek' was my introduction to the industry. It put some money in my pocket and it put me in the position I wanted to be in, where I could audition for projects that I wanted to be a part of. I didn't find it creatively fulfilling in any way, though. Working with artists excites me, but 'Dawson's Creek' didn't do that.

I was about to move out of my apartment because I was so broke. I'd sort of made a pact with myself that I wouldn't take a job unless it was interesting to me, and I became broke very fast.

Well, the first thing I wanted to be was a carpenter. Then I wanted to be a painter and then a singer. It was when I first saw 'Lawrence of Arabia' that I wanted to be an actor.

I was really impressed with Naomi [Watts]. She was a producer, and she was doing things that I wasn't really aware of. The way she was able to switch from handling problems to shoot a really difficult scene, I think is a real testament to her true ability.

I don't really even know what Twitter is. I know that might sound wierd to some people. I don't use social media. I make music, so I use social media ... it's more helpful for me when I'm making music than as an actor.

Anything that you [as an actor] can change about yourself for a part is helpful.

Some directors are very free and some directors are very specific. It seemed like doing a play.

I'm doing a record that has a story that runs through all of the songs, and then there is also a film that goes along with it.

A kid now can practically record a song or edit a short film on his way to school. I think that will produce, perhaps, more less-interesting things - or you'll have to search more to find the interesting things. But I also think it's exciting.

I'm always trying to work on scripts. I'm pretty selective. Sometimes maybe too much because I'm broke .

People don't want to be plagued by not knowing-they want answers.

Every director is different and they all have different styles. I've worked with directors who were very specific and they gave a lot of direction. The one thing about Michael [Haneke]that I think is interesting is that he really has a reason for everything he's asking you. If you challenge it, he is open for discussion but he has a clear idea of what he wants with reasons why.