"A movie camera is like having someone you have a crush on watching you from afar - you pretend it's not there"

In this quote, Tom Stoppard compares a movie cam to having a crush on somebody who is seeing you from a distance. Similar to how you might feel awkward and attempt to disregard the presence of your crush, a film camera captures every move and expression without you even recognizing it. It's as if the cam is a quiet observer, recording your every relocation and emotion without your understanding. This contrast highlights the vulnerability and self-awareness that comes with being in front of a camera, along with the idea of being watched and judged by others. It likewise talks to the idea of performance and the desire to appear natural and unaffected, even when being enjoyed.