When we were doing 'Freaks and Geeks', I didn't quite understand how movies and TV worked, and I would improvise even if the camera wasn't on me. I thought I was helping the other actors by keeping them on their toes, but nobody appreciated it when I would trip them up. So I was improvising a little bit back then, but not in a productive way.

Summary

In this quote, the speaker reflects on their past experiences while working on the TV show "Freaks and Geeks". They admit to not fully comprehending the dynamics of filmmaking at that time and would often improvise lines or actions, even when the camera wasn't focused on them. They had believed that this would benefit their fellow actors by keeping them alert and engaged in the scene. However, the speaker eventually realized that their improvised antics were not well-received or appreciated by others, as it disrupted their performances. This reflection highlights their growth and understanding of the importance of productive improvisation in the context of acting.

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