Andy Serkis

I wanted to be a painter, really, when I was growing up as a kid. It was one thing that really took a grip on me.

My first job when I got my equity card was acting in 14 plays back-to-back. Playing that many roles, you look for ways of differentiating the characters physically, which goes hand in hand with understanding them psychologically.

The learning curve is 'The Hobbit' is being shot in 3D.

I've been told that some guy wrote something like, 'Andy Serkis does everything, animators do nothing.' Of course I never in a million years said that, wouldn't ever say that. It's not within my understanding of filmmaking to ever say anything like that.

I think Caesar is one of the most empathetic characters that I've played. I think that's the key to a successful leadership. Being able to keep your ears open at all times.

I think my mum wanted me to join the army or something, or become a surveyor - something with good career prospects.

The whole chameleon thing about acting. That's why I'm moving towards directing - it's a much more healthy occupation.

I've always been really in touch with my primal instincts. In my profession, you have to be.

Nowadays, there's no such thing as a stable job.

The thing is, I don't just take roles because they're performance capture.

I've always been a huge fan of Charles Lawton's performance in 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame,' so somewhere along the line, I've always wanted to play that character.

The great thing about performance capture is you can go off, and then, without changing costume, you can become another character.