 Writer and acting coach Paul Ryan noted Hartman 's work ethic with his impressions . He assembled a collection of video footage of the figure he was preparing to impersonate and watched this continually until he " completely embodied the person " . Ryan concluded that " what made [ Hartman 's impressions ] so funny and spot on was Phil 's ability to add that perfect touch that only comes from trial and error and practicing in front of audiences and fellow actors . " Hartman described this process as " technical . " Journalist Lyle V. Harris said Hartman showed a " rare talent for morphing into ... anybody he wanted to be . " 
