There's More (or A Lesson from Daniel Day Lewis)

More thoughts from The Private Lives of Pippa Lee screening:

• The supporting roles! Julianne Moore, Winona Ryder, Alan Arkin, Blake Lively, Monica Belluci - such rich roles and performances. And Maria Bello?? She should be nominated for her role as Pippa's mother. I'm just sitting here shaking my head at how well she did.
• The moderator of the Q&A, Pete Hammond, asked if there was any improv during the shoot - remember how I said that is the way many films are headed? Rebecca's short answer? "No." She said that there is a "musicality" to how she writes and when words are changed or dialogue deviates, it is actually grating to her ear. I love that explanation. And I love that there is someone that is still exploring the art of writing in film. I know that there are plenty of screenwriters out there that will say there are plenty of people taking pride in their words. But it seems like there are plenty of movies being made that have "loose" scripts - which can produce fun films but also seems a little lazy to me.
• Someone asked Robin about her "process" for a role like this. She said she hates that question because she doesn't know how to answer. She is an untrained actress and therefore doesn't have any sort of method or technique that she employs. But she did admit that while sitting at Rebecca's house in Ireland one day, Robin found herself sitting with Rebecca's husband - THE Daniel Day Lewis. She thought, "Ok, I'm here with literally the greatest actor of all time, I have to ask his advice. I have to take this opportunity. So I asked, Do you have any advice?" And he answered, "Be confident, my dear." She thought, that's it? "Anything more?" He shook his head, said, "Be confident," and nonchalantly walked into the kitchen to play with his kids.

So, to paraphrase the great Daniel Day Lewis: Own it. Just own it.

The screening was on Friday night and Saturday morning I went to a casting workshop with Michelle Wade of Betty Mae Casting. Before I left, Dan reminded me, "Just go in there and own it." As actors, insecurity about our abilities seems like a prerequisite - a part of the job. I am a confident person but when it comes to my acting ability, I'm not always sure. I'm done with that. I'm going to own my confidence. I know that I will constantly continue learning and growing as an actress but it is time I take responsibility for also knowing that I am good at what I do. And, as I put in the work, I'm only going to get better. "Be confident, my dear."