I was the classic middle child in some ways, the one who could have been a priest in an alternate universe. Chiwetel Ejiofor More Quotes by Chiwetel Ejiofor More Quotes From Chiwetel Ejiofor I became an actor by doing school plays and youth theaters, and then National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. And then I did study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. For me that was a good way to enter the field, to work in the theater. Chiwetel Ejiofor play art school David Mamet was great to work with. He was everything that I thought he would be as a director. He's incredibly articulate, an easy collaborator. Extraordinarily knowledgeable about film and writing. Chiwetel Ejiofor would-be writing directors Solomon Northup is one of the most remarkable people Ive ever encountered in my life; one of the most amazing stories I have ever been in any kind of contact with. To not tell that story would have been disgraceful, in my opinion. Chiwetel Ejiofor opinion stories people It's a strange thing, but you get this click in your brain; the wonderful feeling that the entirety of a character is suddenly available and accessible to you. Chiwetel Ejiofor brain feelings character Depending on what your interest in theater is, I always recommend working on plays. It's a great way to be introduced to the field, and also a great way to be seen by agents and representation. I'm also a great advocate for studying acting at a drama school or a college. Chiwetel Ejiofor college drama school Dividing everybody into genders and sexuality and races and religions, and I think its important to have films out there, to have discussions out there which really try to get to grips with where that kind of thing can lead. Chiwetel Ejiofor important race thinking I wouldnt be the same actor if I couldnt do theater. Chiwetel Ejiofor theater actors ifs I'm in favor of anything that promotes greener solutions. Chiwetel Ejiofor greener solutions favors Ive always liked the idea of being a father. And Ive always romanticised it, because I lost my father when I was young. In a way, all of the complications that come with my career are about that. Chiwetel Ejiofor careers father ideas Id never really considered film. If Id thought about film more growing up, I probably would have changed my name. I had no concept of my name in lights. Chiwetel Ejiofor growing-up light names I think I enjoy working obviously as a lead, but also you know I feel I'm also a character actor as well, so I enjoy approaching various projects in all sort of capacities. Any film I have been able to do I feel very fortunate to have been a part of. Chiwetel Ejiofor actors character thinking I think the crucial thing about being an actor is to be doing it. Chiwetel Ejiofor crucial actors thinking I was already devouring literature and I was the ripe old age of 15 when I decided to be an actor. I just thought plays were the most fantastic way of expressing life. I thought I'd discovered Shakespeare - 'hey, there's a new guy in town, don't know if anyone's read him.' I was just excited about the whole thing, from day one. Chiwetel Ejiofor guy age play In England, theres no acknowledgement the invention of slavery came from Britain. Chiwetel Ejiofor invention slavery england I believe people instinctively know that about writing, yet people get confused about that when it comes to acting. Chiwetel Ejiofor confused writing believe I have always been very fortunate in my working life in terms of the, I say that like I've not been fortunate at all in my private life. Chiwetel Ejiofor working-life private-life term I don't ever feel like I've had a moment where I am like, "There it is; perfect and holy in all ways." Chiwetel Ejiofor moments perfect way I am aware that I have been incredibly fortunate in my life to work with the people that I have worked with and pursue the projects that I have been able to do. There are so many films that I have done that I really, as a film person, as a film fan, that I like. And that is a nice place to think of a career in. Chiwetel Ejiofor nice careers thinking I like finding things out beforehand, because I'm nervous in disposition, and I worry that if I don't do anything, then I'll turn up and I still won't really have a sense of it, and it might be too late. So I like to get things as organized as I possibly can in my own head, to apply myself to the work before arriving to a late-in-the-day rehearsal, or in extreme cases, the first day on set. Chiwetel Ejiofor nervous worry The hardest thing for a film actor, especially if you are in a lot of the film, is sustaining energy for the entire length of a production. It's quite tough. With acting, it's not the same as directing. Directors work the exact same hours; directing is incredibly exhausting. The only difference is that directors aren't required to have bursts of energy and focus. They're probably focused the entire day. Actors have this thing of "stop/start." That can be quite draining, actually. Chiwetel Ejiofor focus acting energy
