Watch: SAG Conversations with Helen Mirren
The nearly hour-long interview spans Mirren’s entire career, encompassing her work on both stage and screen.
‘Veep’ Star Tony Hale: “There’s a reason why I do anxious characters — it comes from a lot of personal anxiety!”
“In your head, actors can be like, I want to have something coming up or having just done something, to have something to talk about, which is a really unfortunate way of thinking.” – Tony Hale
Alexander Skarsgard on Playing Tarzan, His Workout Regimen and Filming Scenes in the Buff
“I didn’t want any muscle mass that didn’t serve a purpose, because animals don’t have that.” – Alexander Skarsgard
Hank Azaria on His Varied Roles: “Once you’re known for doing different things, people want you to try different things”
Azaria on his career as an actor in ‘The SImpsons’, ‘Ray Donovan’ and ‘The Birdcage’
‘Suicide Squad’ Director David Ayer Turned Rehearsals into ‘Fight Club’
Director David Ayer wanted to see just how tough his cast really was by creating a fight club of his own.
Charlie Cox on His Starring Role in Off-Broadway’s ‘Incognito’: “As an actor, I saw it as such a challenge”
“I realized I had gotten into a habit of not making eye contact, because the only thing I had done for two years is play someone who is blind” – Charlie Cox
Toby Kebbell on Motion Capture Roles: “You’re not really doing it for the glory. It’s more for the duty of performance”
I consider acting a craft. I’ve got to pay my shillings and present a masterpiece in order to get into the guild, but I’m just trying to learn what this craft is.” – Toby Kebbell
Adrienne Warren on Her Tony Nomination and Playing Two Characters in Broadway’s ‘Shuffle Along’
“Someone will never hire me to just stand and sing. They will hire me to dance and sing. They will hire me to flip and sing, tap and sing. Never just stand. I’m OK with that.” – Adrienne Warren
Casting Directors on the Difficulty of Casting and Why Smaller Roles are the Hardest to Cast
Two prominent casting directors offer some insight on the difficulty of casting and how some casting decisions are left up to people who carry a bit more weight
Bobby Cannavale on ‘Vinyl’: “I’ve never gotten to play a role that’s this dimensional”
“I feel like maybe 20 years ago I wouldn’t have been ready to do this part” – Bobby Cannavale on his role in ‘Vinyl’
Tony Award-Winner Leslie Odom Jr. on Auditions and Broadway Casting Director Bernie Telsey
“There’s something about the fighting for it, I think, that’s healthy. You gotta prove yourself. I’m not above that. I will never be above that. Bring it!” – Leslie Odom Jr. on Auditioning
Watch: SAG Conversations with Jeff Daniels
Daniels got his start on the stage and he has been appearing on Broadway stages since the late 1970s.
‘Mr. Robot’ Creator Praises Rami Malek’s Audition
“He was shaking. He literally said the script breeds anxiety. It was nerve-wracking. I was like, ‘Is he gonna get through this audition?'”
Michelle Williams on Her Tony-Nominated ‘Blackbird’ Role: “A 6 ½-page monologue! I didn’t know how or if I could do it”
“It’s the defining quality I look for when I’m choosing work: If I don’t know how to do it, that’s the hook – that’s what gets me excited” – Michelle Williams
‘Begin Again’ Director John Carney on Why He’ll Never Work with “Model” Actors Like Keira Knightely Again
When the interviewer points out the praise for Sing Street, Carney responds, “Well, it’s fantastic. I’m very surprised; it’s a small personal movie with no Keira Knightley’s in it. It’s really rewarding.”
How J.J. Abrams Ruined Aaron Paul’s ‘Cloverfield’ Audition
“I’ve never given up in an audition. I fight to the end… I don’t want to waste your time” – Aaron Paul
Kirsten Dunst: Auditions are “the most stressful thing to me on the planet Earth”
Despite being a well-known actress with dozens of credits, Kristen Dunst tells Variety that she still thinks of auditions as “the most stressful thing to me on the planet Earth.” Most audiences first became familiar with Dunst after her appearance as the young vampire Claudia in 1994’s Interview with the
Jessie Mueller on Following up ‘Beautiful’ with ‘Waitress’: “I think early on I did feel little bit of pressure”
“I was taken with theater from the beginning, it was the coolest thing for me.” – Jessie Mueller
Sean Hayes on Why He Loves Theater and His Return to Broadway in ‘An Act of God’
“I think one of the worst mistakes an actor can make is run away from the role that made them beloved in the first place, that gave them an audience.” – Sean Hayes
Zachary Levi on Starring in Broadway’s ‘She Loves Me’: “Honestly, the biggest challenge is just my own brain”
“My whole life, all I’ve ever wanted to do was be an actor and an entertainer and make people happy and also feel like I belonged” – Zachary Levi