Like a lot of child actors, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was famous for work in commercials, films and TV before he even hit college age. Unlike a lot of those actors, he actually chose to go to college for the chance to find out what he was going to be. Okay, so he turned out to be an actor, but not the kind Hollywood thought he’d be. He took less expected but far more interesting roles in a wildly diverse range indie, noir and blockbuster films, demonstrating he could be any number of things. He then proved those things also included writer and director with his highly acclaimed Don Jon. Basically, he’s a guy that loves to make things, and with his production company hitRECord, he’s created a collaborative platform for thousands of people to do the same, all with each other’s help and inspiration. We talk to the showman, optimist and restless creator about the danger of definitions, the value of encouragement and his latest film, The Walk. His one regret about fame? It hinders approaching his fellow humans unrecognized for discussions about the innumerable topics that interest him. So if a vaguely familiar face saunters up to your park bench and starts a friendly chat, just enjoy the conversation. We sure did.
films and TV before he even hit college age. Unlike a lot of those actors, he actually chose to go to college for the chance to find out what he was going to be. Okay, so he turned out to be an actor, but not the kind Hollywood thought he’d be. He took less expected but far more interesting roles in a wildly diverse range indie, noir and blockbuster films, demonstrating he could be any number of things. He then proved those things also included writer and director with his highly acclaimed Don Jon. Basically, he’s a guy that loves to make things, and with his production company hitRECord, he’s created a collaborative platform for thousands of people to do the same, all with each other’s help and inspiration. We talk to the showman, optimist and restless creator about the danger of definitions, the value of encouragement and his latest film, The Walk. His one regret about fame? It hinders approaching his fellow humans unrecognized for discussions about the innumerable topics that interest him. So if a vaguely familiar face saunters up to your park bench and starts a friendly chat, just enjoy the conversation. We sure did.
Like a lot of child actors, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was famous for work in commercials, films and TV before he even hit college age. Unlike a lot of those actors, he actually chose to go to college for the chance to find out what he was going to be. Okay, so he turned out to be an actor, but not the kind Hollywood thought he’d be. He took less expected but far more interesting roles in a wildly diverse range indie, noir and blockbuster films, demonstrating he could be any number of things. He then proved those things also included writer and director with his highly acclaimed Don Jon. Basically, he’s a guy that loves to make things, and with his production company hitRECord, he’s created a collaborative platform for thousands of people to do the same, all with each other’s help and inspiration. We talk to the showman, optimist and restless creator about the danger of definitions, the value of encouragement and his latest film, The Walk. His one regret about fame? It hinders approaching his fellow humans unrecognized for discussions about the innumerable topics that interest him. So if a vaguely familiar face saunters up to your park bench and starts a friendly chat, just enjoy the conversation. We sure did.
If you’re standing on a castle rampart about to lead your men into battle (work with us here), you’re either a) an unfortunate time traveler; b) a delusional Medieval Times employee; or c) William H. Macy explaining his approach to acting. You know the castle is fake, the audience knows the castle is fake, but Macy will tell you he can look in his fellow actors’ eyes and tell if he’s succeeded in getting them to swear allegiance to the cause. His own allegiance to the truth is what makes him equally believable as The Sessions’ philosophical Father Brendan and Shameless’ degenerate Frank Gallagher; it’s also about the only thing he had to cling to when he found himself cast into the uncharted waters of directing his first indie feature, the excellent Rudderless. Considering that many actors at his level would be pretty darned happy to sit back and enjoy the steady career they’ve built for themselves, Macy’s ambition is inspiring. Macy joins us to talk about his relentless pursuit of his life-changing role in Fargo, how Shameless sent him back to acting school, what Rudderless taught him about directing, and why potheads make great actors. We’ve never inhaled so much sage advice in one sitting.
If you’re standing on a castle rampart about to lead your men into battle (work with us here), you’re either a) an unfortunate time traveler; b) a delusional Medieval Times employee; or c) William H. Macy explaining his approach to acting. You know the castle is fake, the audience knows the castle is fake, but Macy will tell you he can look in his fellow actors’ eyes and tell if he’s succeeded in getting them to swear allegiance to the cause. His own allegiance to the truth is what makes him equally believable as The Sessions’ philosophical Father Brendan and Shameless’ degenerate Frank Gallagher; it’s also about the only thing he had to cling to when he found himself cast into the uncharted waters of directing his first indie feature, the excellent Rudderless. Considering that many actors at his level would be pretty darned happy to sit back and enjoy the steady career they’ve built for themselves, Macy’s ambition is inspiring. Macy joins us to talk about his relentless pursuit of his life-changing role in Fargo, how Shameless sent him back to acting school, what Rudderless taught him about directing, and why potheads make great actors. We’ve never inhaled so much sage advice in one sitting.
If you’re standing on a castle rampart about to lead your men into battle (work with us here), you’re either a) an unfortunate time traveler; b) a delusional Medieval Times employee; or c) William H. Macy explaining his approach to acting. You know the castle is fake, the audience knows the castle is fake, but Macy will tell you he can look in his fellow actors’ eyes and tell if he’s succeeded in getting them to swear allegiance to the cause. His own allegiance to the truth is what makes him equally believable as The Sessions’ philosophical Father Brendan and Shameless’ degenerate Frank Gallagher; it’s also about the only thing he had to cling to when he found himself cast into the uncharted waters of directing his first indie feature, the excellent Rudderless. Considering that many actors at his level would be pretty darned happy to sit back and enjoy the steady career they’ve built for themselves, Macy’s ambition is inspiring. Macy joins us to talk about his relentless pursuit of his life-changing role in Fargo, how Shameless sent him back to acting school, what Rudderless taught him about directing, and why potheads make great actors. We’ve never inhaled so much sage advice in one sitting.
When late bloomers finally blossom, they do so with a vengeance. When you take a bit of time to figure out what makes you tick, you can go after roles that mean something to you – and your audience. While having undeniably fabulous hair never hurt anyone, Connie Britton says she owes her best work to projects that make her feel empowered, and these days doesn’t spend much time waiting around for someone else to hand out the go-aheads. We discuss how she came into her own as an artist, her experiences on The Brothers McMullen, Friday Night Lights and Nashville, losing what felt like the role of a lifetime. We also surprised the unsuspecting Ms. Britton with our little version of This Is Your Life, but after you’ve risked singing on national television, not much ruffles you. In fact, she believes seeking out the scary stuff is key to helping her career continue to flourish. We can’t wait to see what her next risk will bring – just as long as it doesn’t involve scissors.
When late bloomers finally blossom, they do so with a vengeance. When you take a bit of time to figure out what makes you tick, you can go after roles that mean something to you – and your audience. While having undeniably fabulous hair never hurt anyone, Connie Britton says she owes her best work to projects that make her feel empowered, and these days doesn’t spend much time waiting around for someone else to hand out the go-aheads. We discuss how she came into her own as an artist, her experiences on The Brothers McMullen, Friday Night Lights and Nashville, losing what felt like the role of a lifetime. We also surprised the unsuspecting Ms. Britton with our little version of This Is Your Life, but after you’ve risked singing on national television, not much ruffles you. In fact, she believes seeking out the scary stuff is key to helping her career continue to flourish. We can’t wait to see what her next risk will bring – just as long as it doesn’t involve scissors.
