Topic Guide

What Is Acting career?

Acting career is a subject covered in depth across 36 podcast episodes in our database. Below you'll find key concepts, expert insights, and the top episodes to listen to — all distilled from hours of conversation by leading experts.

Browse all acting career episodes →Best acting career episodes ranked →

Key Concepts in Acting career

Sexy indifference

A term used by the hosts and Hemsworth to describe the desirable state in auditions or performances where an actor appears confident and un-desperate. Hemsworth explains this is not true indifference but rather a result of such thorough over-preparation that he feels he has done everything possible, allowing him to let go of anxiety and present naturally.

Fake ged

This refers to Jennifer Lawrence's method of obtaining a "diploma" printed on Microsoft Word by her then-boyfriend to appear as an emancipated or 'inexpensive minor.' This allowed her to avoid needing an on-set tutor and made her more appealing for early acting roles, highlighting a resourceful, albeit unconventional, approach to navigating early career hurdles in Hollywood.

Conanified

A humorous term coined by David Oyelowo to describe the "expensive process" of becoming Conan O'Brien's friend [00:03]. It sets a lighthearted tone for the episode, implying a high-value, perhaps arduous, but ultimately rewarding, association.

Learning lines to forget them

A sophisticated acting technique described by David Oyelowo, learned from Dame Judi Dench [36:40]. Actors learn their lines thoroughly but then consciously try to 'forget' them to ensure complete spontaneity, freshness, and presence in a scene, allowing for a more authentic give-and-take with other performers.

The 'truth' in acting

David Oyelowo's belief that a profound, almost mystical connection forms between an actor and an audience when the performance taps into genuine human "truth" [34:36]. This "vibration" signifies an instantaneous recognition of authenticity, cultivated through rigorous stage training and sustained performance.

Dense and busy breasts

This is a medical condition where breast tissue is more fibrous and glandular than fatty. It is important because it makes it harder to detect cancer on mammograms, requiring additional screening methods like ultrasounds [47:04].

What Experts Say About Acting career

1.The casting for the lead Harry Potter role initially adopted a "one film at a time" approach due to concerns about the actor potentially experiencing a significant growth spurt.
2.The film "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" generated $911 million worldwide, and at the time of the interview, the first five Harry Potter films combined had grossed $4.5 billion.
3.Despite the immense financial success, the guest's primary motivation is not money, using his financial security to pursue diverse passion projects like "The December Boys" without financial worry.
4.The guest observes distinct cultural differences in dating, describing English guys as well-mannered and restrained, while American guys are more open and straightforward.
5.After portraying one character for ten years, the guest feels a strong desire to prove himself by taking on a variety of different acting roles, drawing inspiration from actors like James McAvoy and Ben Whishaw.
6.The guest maintains a journal, following advice from his grandparents, to document significant life events such as auditions and receiving acting parts.