I was not what you'd call a first-class actor, but I did all right. Elia Kazan More Quotes by Elia Kazan More Quotes From Elia Kazan What's called a difficult decision is a difficult decision because either way you go there are penalties. Elia Kazan decisionbusinessway The real challenge is not simply to survive. Hell, anyone can do that. It’s to survive as yourself, undiminished. Elia Kazan hellrealchallenges I've come to believe that everything worth achieving is beyond one's capacity - or seems so at first. The thing is to persist, not back off, fight your fight, pay your dues, and carry on. Effort is all; continue and you may get there despite everything. Elia Kazan effortfightingbelieve Look for the contradictions in every character, especially in your heroes and villains. No one should be what they first seem to be. Surprise the audience. Elia Kazan herocharacterlooks Wonder is our need today, not information. Elia Kazan informationtodayneeds Take it from a director: if you get an actor that Sandy Meisner has trained, you've been blessed. Elia Kazan actorsblesseddirectors One final thing a director needs: The ability to say 'I am wrong' or 'I was wrong.' Not as easy as it sounds. But in many situations, these 3 words, honestly spoken, will save the day. Elia Kazan finalssounddirectors You've got to keep fighting; you've got to risk your life every six months to stay alive. Elia Kazan riskfightinginspirational I value peace, too, when it is not bought at the price of fundamental decencies. Elia Kazan decencyvaluesfundamentals I said to Tennessee, this thing is becoming the Marlon Brando show. Elia Kazan becomingtennesseesaid I used to spend most of my time straining to be a nice guy so people would like me. Elia Kazan guynicepeople I was born in Turkey in an extremely oppressive climate at the time of pogroms, massacres, really. An immigrant appreciates the freedom more. Elia Kazan turkeysclimateappreciate I was an outsider... but I was also sympathetic with people that were struggling to get up, because I struggled to get up. Elia Kazan outsidersstrugglepeople I gave my life to the Group Theatre, because in it I'm building something for myself. What I build, I am. Elia Kazan building-somethinggroupstheatre I hate the Communists and have for many years and don't feel right about giving up my career to defend them. I will give up my film career if it is in the interests of defending something I believe in, but not this. Elia Kazan giving-uphatebelieve Whatever hysteria exists is inflamed by mystery, suspicion and secrecy. Hard and exact facts will cool it. Elia Kazan hysteriamysteryfacts Anybody who informs on other people is doing something disturbing and even disgusting. Elia Kazan disgustingdisturbingpeople Hey, you must be doin' good, 'cause I never hear from you. Elia Kazan hey-youheycauses I was not a collective person or a bohemian; I was an elitist. Elia Kazan bohemian-rhapsodyelitistcollectives The first thing you should do with an actor is not sign a contract with him. Take him to dinner. And take him for a walk afterwards. Elia Kazan dinneractorsfirsts
