Meaning: The quote "You treat characters like people you meet in life - friends or mentors" by Wes Bentley, an actor known for his roles in movies like American Beauty and The Hunger Games, encapsulates a fundamental aspect of the craft of acting and storytelling. It speaks to the notion that actors must approach their characters with the same level of empathy, understanding, and nuance that they would employ when interacting with real people in their lives.

When an actor embodies a character, they are essentially stepping into the shoes of another individual, with their own unique experiences, motivations, and perspectives. By treating these characters as if they were real people, actors are able to breathe life into their roles, creating performances that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth.

This approach also extends to the way storytellers, such as writers and directors, conceptualize and develop their characters. Just as we form connections with the people we meet in our lives, storytellers must forge a similar bond with the characters they create. This involves delving deep into the character's psyche, understanding their desires, fears, and flaws, and ultimately crafting a multidimensional persona that feels genuine and relatable.

Furthermore, the idea of treating characters as friends or mentors underscores the transformative power of storytelling. Just as we can learn from the people we encounter in our lives, fictional characters can also serve as sources of inspiration, guidance, and introspection. They can offer valuable insights into the human condition, confront us with challenging dilemmas, and ultimately enrich our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

In the realm of performance, this approach encourages actors to form profound connections with their characters, allowing them to inhabit their roles with a sense of empathy and understanding. Rather than simply reciting lines or going through the motions, actors who view their characters as friends or mentors are able to infuse their performances with a deeply personal and authentic touch, drawing audiences into the emotional core of the story.

From a broader perspective, the quote highlights the universal nature of storytelling and its capacity to bridge the gap between fiction and reality. Whether it's through literature, film, theater, or any other form of narrative art, the characters we encounter often mirror the complexities and contradictions of human existence. As such, by treating these characters with the same reverence and respect that we afford to the people in our lives, we acknowledge the profound impact that stories and their protagonists can have on our own journeys.

In conclusion, Wes Bentley's quote encapsulates the profound emotional and psychological investment that is inherent in the art of acting and storytelling. By treating characters as friends or mentors, actors and storytellers can tap into the rich tapestry of human experience, fostering a deeper connection with their roles and inviting audiences to embark on a transformative and empathetic journey through the realms of fiction and imagination.