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About this quote

What does it mean?
Brando argues close-ups reveal rehearsed behavior, breaking the illusion of reality.
In plain terms
Close-ups show acting tricks and ruin the feeling of reality.
What can you take from it?
Subtlety matters in performance.

Where it applies

  • filmmaking
  • acting classes
  • movie watching

Putting it to work

  • focus on naturalism
  • avoid overacting

Questions to consider

  • What makes an actor believable?
  • How does the camera change performance?

Another view

Close-ups are essential for storytelling in film.

More from Marlon Brando

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  2. I suppose the story of my life is a search for love, but more than that, I have been looking for a way to repair myself from the damages I suffered early on an…

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  3. Acting is the least mysterious of all crafts. Whenever we want something from somebody or when we want to hide something or pretend, we're acting. Most people …

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