Everybody compares everyone to James Dean these days. If you're lucky, they mention Brando or De Niro or Sean Penn. It's like they have to compare you to somebody. They invite you to put on an instant image. (1988)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker criticizes the media habit of comparing actors to past legends, which forces them into instant public images.
- In plain terms
- People always compare actors to famous past icons, forcing them to fit a pre-made image.
- What can you take from it?
- Public comparisons reduce complex artists to simple stereotypes.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you let others define your image?
- How do you handle comparisons?
Another view
Comparisons can also help audiences understand new work.
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