Meaning: This quote by Sean Penn, the renowned actor, delves into the nature of how actors connect with the roles they play. It sheds light on the process of selecting roles and the personal elements that come into play when an actor decides to take on a particular character. Penn's words highlight the intricate relationship between an actor and the roles they choose, emphasizing the role of personal resonance in the selection process.

When Penn mentions that "things come to you - director, script," he is referring to the opportunities that actors encounter in the form of potential roles. These opportunities can manifest in the form of a script that resonates with the actor or a director who offers them a role. This highlights the passive nature of the initial encounter, as these elements "come to" the actor, suggesting that they do not actively seek out every role but rather respond to what is presented to them.

Penn's assertion that if an actor responds to a role, it is because it taps into some part of what's inside them speaks to the deeply personal and introspective nature of the actor-role connection. It implies that the decision to take on a role is not solely based on external factors such as the potential success of the project or financial incentives but is deeply rooted in the actor's internal landscape. The resonance that an actor feels towards a role is indicative of the role tapping into a part of their psyche, emotions, or experiences.

Furthermore, Penn highlights that different roles tap into different parts within an actor. This insight underscores the diversity of an actor's internal world and the multifaceted nature of their emotional and psychological makeup. It suggests that actors are drawn to roles that evoke a range of emotions, thoughts, and experiences within them, reflecting the complexity of human nature and the human condition.

Penn's quote provides a glimpse into the deeply personal and introspective process that actors undergo when selecting roles. It underscores the significance of personal resonance and internal connection in the decision-making process, emphasizing that the roles an actor chooses are a reflection of the parts of themselves that are stirred by the character and the story. This quote offers valuable insight into the inner workings of an actor's mindset and the profound connection between the individual and the roles they bring to life on screen.