Ian McKellen on timing Ian McKellen admits in a recent article that it has taken time and life experience to develop the self-confidence that now helps fuel his dynamic roles. “Suppose it had been me who played Tom Jones [1963], not Albert Finney?” he said. “There was never any question of me playing those sorts [...]
Brad Pitt In a magazine interview, Brad Pitt once candidly admitted, “I’ve got a couple of friends that might as well be family, and I’ve caught myself just ordering one of them to do something because you get accustomed to people doing things for you… It’s the money and the power, it just crushes everything.” [...]
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 [...]
Navi Rawat One of the pleasures of the tv series “Numb3rs” is a character [Amita Ramanujan - played by Navi Rawat] who is not only a math whiz, but a woman of exotic beauty, not the standard blonde [as appealing as many blonde actors may be]. Navi Rawat was born to a German mother and [...]
The enemy of art Commenting about her feelings this morning and her best-actress Oscar nomination for “Transamerica,” Felicity Huffman [left, as Bree in the film] said, “I woke up in fear and anxiety – which I know is the enemy of art, and in general.” [CNN Showbiz Tonight Feb 13 2006] Nicole Kidman admits, “Every [...]
According to a recent LA Times article there is “an explosion” of one-man and one-woman shows around town: 25 solo shows in 2003; last year, at least 54. “We like to hear personal intimate insights that we can connect to,” says Jean-Louis Rodrigue, who teaches theater at UCLA… Sandra Tsing Loh [photo] developed her solo [...]
M. Night Shyamalan cast and directed Bryce Dallas Howard [photo] in a key role in the 2004 film “The Village” and recently commented : ”There’s a purity to her that comes through in her acting. When an emotion comes through, it’s unadulterated. The gunk from fame and money — all those things that would gunk [...]
Terrence Howard – Hustle & Flow Rachel Weisz – The Constant Gardener Russell Crowe – Cinderella Man Matt Dillon – Crash Johnny Depp – Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Hugh Laurie – House Kiefer Sutherland – 24 > more acting videos / dvd ~~ use movies for personal growth, entertainment psychology
Mainstream film/tv studios are considered a “boys’ club” with good reason: they usually make story and casting decisions based on adolescent male values [eg fast action, violence, t&a] – not exactly high spiritual or creative ideals. Casting often excludes and limits actors with talent. Indira Varma Indira Varma [“Bride & Prejudice” etc] notes in the [...]
Heather Graham “Acting is telling a story, and you’re part of telling that story. In some ways therapy helps more than acting class. You realize why you operate in certain ways.” Heather Graham [in our interview several years ago about making "Lost in Space"] expressed one of the most valuable and positive reasons for therapy [...]
A demanding career A number of actors advise pursuing this very demanding career only if you can’t feel right doing anything else. And a number of highly talented actors change direction into writing, producing or some other vocation. You need to be aware of what is really driving you. Maria Bello on being of service [...]
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 [...]
Imagination is our essence Getting caught up in the more “serious” aspects of a career, you may lose contact with that child part of being an actor. As psychologist Robert Maurer noted in an interview that children are “playacting from the time they have words and the ability to move. They begin fantasizing, playing, imagining, [...]
“Hollywood has never embraced me. Part of that is my fault because of my behavior in the past..” [imdb.com Jan 18 02] > related topic page: self-limiting ~ ~ ~ “Unrealized talent does not make a comfortable chair, unless you’ve sat on it your whole life, then it makes it a dangerously comfortable chair.” [ericrobertsactor.com] [...]
on writing, directing, and producing her movie Chance: “The film was a while in coming. I spent a lot of time in my trailer on “Buffy” because they’do so many stunts and CGI effects, so I’d just sit and write. I was tired of playing the love interest roles, but that’s all that’s written for [...]
Judi Dench claims not to be “good at my own company.” Rather, to understand her own identity she needs to be in the attentive gaze of others – as the psychologist D. W. Winnicott puts it, “When I look I am seen, so I exist.” Dench is clear on this point. “I need somebody to [...]