Actors on Acting Archives

Watch: Kelly Marie Tran’s ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Audition

The video features clips of Tran’s audition and includes clips of director Rian Johnson explaining what he was looking for in casting Rose

Watch: Daisy Ridley’s ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Audition

Ridely was asked to perform one of the movie’s most intense scenes — the torture scene with Kylo Ren — during her audition.

Daniel Day-Lewis on His “Final” Role in ‘Phantom Thread’: “The impulse to quit took root in me, and that became a compulsion”

“All my life, I’ve mouthed off about how I should stop acting, and I don’t know why it was different this time” – Daniel Day-Lewis

Adam Driver: “Basically, the only thing I try to do is know my lines”

“I never figure anything out. I do my job. That’s my goal, to be as economical as possible.” – Adam Driver

Bryan Cranston, Robert Pattinson and Armie Hammer on Working with Others

“You know, it’s not imperative that you get along with your co-stars; it’s like your in-laws — it just makes things easier” – Bryan Cranston

Margot Robbie: “I do timelines and backstories, I work with a dialect coach, a movement coach and an acting coach”

“I need to be with other actors, then my focus is on what they’re doing and all I need to do is react to it. I’m too in my head if I’m on my own.” – Margot Robbie

Lucas Hedges: “I feel like this responsibility to be a great actor, yet I have so much to learn”

“If I don’t go to work, I feel very lost and scared and confused.” – Lucas Hedges on Acting

Gary Oldman on Playing Winston Churchill in ‘Darkest Hour’: “You have a responsibility to the family to the people, to the icon, and to the image”

Oldman talks about how he got into character as the former Prime Minister.

Not Getting Lead Roles Made Emilia Clarke a Better Actor

Clarke says that while she was beginning her career as an actress, she was routinely passed over for lead roles.

Jason Bateman Thinks He’s the “Worst” When Directing Other Actors

“I’m assuming they’re doing the best job they can. I’m assuming that they’re playing the part the way they want to play it.” – Jason Bateman

Michael Stuhlbarg: “I don’t know if I’ve ever played someone who I’ve had absolute contempt for”

“Sometimes the work can be so hard that you have to remind yourself why you took the job in the first place” – Michael Stuhlbarg

Alicia Silverstone on ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’ and Working on Broadway

“My agent called and said, ‘You need to go on this thing. It’s worth it. You should start preparing immediately” – Alicia Silverstone

Denzel Washington on ‘Roman J. Israel, Esq.’ and Why He Keeps Coming Back to Broadway

“I’m interested in different challenges, and challenging myself and just trying to get better.” – Denzel Washington

Chadwick Boseman on Playing Black Panther: “I love him because the fantasy of playing a ruler – you never get to do that”

Boseman talks about portraying T’Challa’s unique background on screen.