"I always think of the character as being me. But me wearing a 'coat', which may be a different way of speaking, moving or regarding other people. To me, acting is pretending, just like kids playing, only you pretend as if it were really, really real"

Fred Melamed's quote talks to the concept of acting as a form of pretending. He recommends that when a star takes on a function, they are essentially wearing a "coat" that is various from their own. This coat is a method of speaking, moving, and communicating with other people that is different from their own. Melamed believes that acting is a form of pretending, similar to how kids play. However, he highlights that when an actor is pretending, they should make it seem as if it is actually, really real. This quote speaks with the concept that acting is a kind of innovative expression, and that it needs a star to be able to take on a different personality and make it seem real. It also talks to the idea that acting is a form of play, which it requires a star to be able to use their creativity and imagination to bring a character to life.