"It is precisely as though I were possessed by some other spirit when I enter on a new task of acting, as though something within me presses a switch and my own consciousness merges into some other, greater, more vital being"

In this evocative quote by Conrad Veidt, the speaker explores the transformative and immersive power of acting. Veidt compares the experience of getting in a new function to a supernatural phenomenon, suggesting that acting feels comparable to being had by another spirit. This metaphor underscores the depth and intensity of the actor's participation in their craft, highlighting the dissolution of individual borders as they inhabit a character.

The phrase "something within me presses a switch" implies an involuntary, practically mechanical transition from one's own identity to that of the character. This change is portrayed as an internal procedure, similar to flipping a switch that enables an extensive transformation. It stresses the star's innate ability to transport various personalities, recommending that this ability is as much an intrinsic part of them as it is found out and improved.

Moreover, the combining of "my own awareness into some other, greater, more important being" suggests that the actor experiences an extensive improvement of their own identity through the characters they represent. By ending up being someone else, the actor's own awareness is not lessened but rather broadened. The term "higher, more crucial being" recommends that stepping into a function can use a sense of enrichment and heightened existence, maybe offering experiences, feelings, and viewpoints that transcend the constraints of the actor's daily life.

Overall, Veidt's reflection on acting underscores the idea that it is not simply an occupation however a deeply immersive and transformative art kind. By enabling themselves to be completely possessed by their roles, actors can transcend personal restrictions, check out varied aspects of the human experience, and enrich both their own lives and those of their audience. The quote commemorates this wonderful quality of acting, where the blending of one's consciousness with an imaginary character leads to a heightened state of existence and artistic expression.