Gabriel Byrne on auditions
“It’s important to present oneself as relaxed and confident..”
Gabriel Byrne commented that the audition process “is really a most inadequate way to determine if an actor is right or not for a particular role. Unfortunately, it’s a situation that most actors have to accept.
“Work on developing an unshakable trust in yourself and [...]

Out of the comfort zone
Many people, maybe most, want to avoid anxiety, fear and other “stressful” feelings. Except for the occasional roller coaster ride.
But talented actors (and other artists) often use those kinds of feelings to guide and energize their work.
Julia Stiles [left] says she chooses projects based on “ways I need to be stretched [...]

Amanda Bynes
Amanda Bynes, talking about going to college, commented, “I have such a busy mind and it’s really hard for me to do one thing at a time. I can’t only be acting. I have to either be reading something or drawing. It’s hard for me to sit still.”
Finding it “hard to sit still” is [...]

“Brokeback Mountain” director Ang Lee was keen on teaching Heath Ledger how “to capture stillness” – one of [Ledger’s character Ennis] Del Mar’s signature traits – which was hard for Ledger, who can get twitchy.
“Sometimes I find it hard sitting still, usually when I’m in the spotlight or even in rehearsal. My nervous energy comes [...]

A state of gratitude
“I love to act because it’s the only aspect of my life beside God and family that I am truly passionate about on a daily basis.”
Michael Ealy [currently in the Showtime series “Sleeper Cell”] continues, “I thank God for not only the gift of creative expression but also surrounding me with others [...]