"I was only interested in my scene, and I had to go through thousands and thousands of other scenes. I got my scene and I read it many, many, many, many, many times. That was my research"
About this Quote
Ralph Fiennes' quote supplies an insightful look into his method as a star, stressing a focused and deep engagement with the material essential to his role. This technique suggests a dedication to immersing himself entirely in the character and the particular scene he is entrusted to represent. His repetition of the word "lots of" highlights the thoroughness with which he reads and re-reads his scene, highlighting a dedication to mastering its subtleties.
Fiennes' reference of learning "thousands and thousands of other scenes" before finding his own can be viewed as a metaphor for the overwhelming amount of information a star might encounter when preparing for a role. This could involve reading a comprehensive script, investigating historical or contextual background, or engaging with a large narrative structure. However, by focusing on his own scene, Fiennes is articulating the value of focusing on relevant details instead of becoming slowed down by the entirety of the product.
This targeted technique can also reflect the actor's technique to avoid interruption from extraneous aspects that do not serve his primary goal-- providing an authentic and engaging performance. It lines up with the idea that a star should deeply understand their specific slice of the story to convey it truthfully and efficiently, typically necessitating repeated and extensive research study of the product.
The expression "that was my research" represents that for Fiennes, the repeated scrutiny of his scene is not merely part of the memorization procedure but is a type of research study itself. This suggests that he views understanding the psychological and mental layers of the scene as important to fleshing out his character. It highlights a technique where immersion and repetition serve as crucial tools in building a nuanced portrayal, highlighting the depth of Fiennes' commitment to his craft.
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