Meaning: This quote, attributed to D. W. Griffith, the pioneering American film director, reflects his approach to working with actors. In this quote, Griffith emphasizes his preference for teaching young, inexperienced actors rather than trying to change the established methods of more experienced performers. He also highlights the importance of finding actors who naturally look the part they are meant to portray.

Griffith's emphasis on working with young people aligns with his reputation for discovering and nurturing talent in the early days of the film industry. Born in 1875, Griffith began his career as a playwright and actor before transitioning to filmmaking in the early 20th century. He is best known for his groundbreaking work in silent cinema, particularly for his innovative techniques in storytelling and cinematography.

One of Griffith's most notable films is "The Birth of a Nation," released in 1915. While the film is celebrated for its technical achievements, it has also been widely criticized for its racist portrayal of African Americans and its glorification of the Ku Klux Klan. Despite the controversy surrounding the film, its impact on the development of cinematic language and narrative techniques cannot be denied.

Griffith's approach to casting and working with actors was informed by the demands of early filmmaking. During the silent era, the language of cinema was still being developed, and many actors transitioned from stage performances to the new medium of film. Griffith's preference for teaching young actors may have been influenced by the need to train performers in the specific techniques required for acting in front of a camera, as opposed to on a stage.

Additionally, Griffith's insistence on finding actors who naturally looked the part they were meant to fill speaks to his attention to detail and commitment to creating authentic and believable performances. In the early days of cinema, the visual impact of actors played a crucial role in storytelling, as dialogue was often conveyed through intertitles. As such, finding actors who could convincingly embody their characters visually was a significant aspect of filmmaking.

Griffith's approach to working with actors can also be seen as a reflection of his directorial style, which often prioritized emotional intensity and physical expressiveness. His films often featured dramatic, emotive performances, and his techniques for eliciting such performances from his actors were influential in shaping the early conventions of screen acting.

In conclusion, D. W. Griffith's quote about teaching young people, rather than altering the methods of established actors, and finding performers who naturally look the part, offers insight into his approach to working with actors during the formative years of the film industry. His emphasis on nurturing young talent and prioritizing authenticity in casting reflects the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the transition from stage to screen and the development of cinematic language. While Griffith's legacy is complex and controversial, his contributions to the art of filmmaking, including his approach to working with actors, continue to be studied and discussed in the context of cinema history.