Emma Watson
Acting in the final two “Potter” movies, and thinking about choosing college (maybe Columbia University), Emma Watson recently talked about criticism of her work as Hermione, and modulating her perfectionism.
“I will look back on this part of my life and I know it will be special, but it used to be that if I [...]

“Mustering up enough self-esteem to say, ‘I want to be an actor,’ was a big turning point.”
Julia Roberts  [Parade mag. Nov 9 2008]
Many creative people report feeling incompetent, inadequate and having low self esteem at times. But there are ways to shift those feelings.
A number of film actors report they don’t watch their own movies. [...]

Ellen Page and Diablo Cody on taking risks
Ellen Page, to “Juno” screenwriter Diablo Cody: You have to take risks and go against conventional wisdom and structure. What was that like.
Diablo Cody: I guess I didn’t see the point of adding another conventional story to the pile; there are so many. I guess I would rather [...]

“It’s all been a big sham.”
“Sometimes I wake up in the morning before going off to a shoot, and I think, I can’t do this; I’m a fraud. They’re going to fire me — all these things. I’m fat; I’m ugly…”
Those admissions by Kate Winslet [Interview mag. Nov 2000] were made after her Academy Award [...]

Being told who you are
“You can’t be yourself because you’re always being judged.”
That is a line from “Ellie Parker” about an actress trying to get a start in Los Angeles, played by Naomi Watts, who also produced the film.
That sort of uncertainty of identity and insecurity affects many artists on the way to establishing themselves, [...]

Nervous excitement
“With any film and even theater, you never get over being scared and overwhelmed, because it’s a new character and that brings on a whole new set of circumstances.”
Alison Lohman is talking about one form of anxiety that actors experience, and may try to avoid or stifle.
But there can be value in that kind [...]