Emma Stone, with two Oscar nominations, talks about working with an intimacy coordinator, seeing her anxiety as a superpower, and how Superbad changed her life.
Emma Stone emphasizes the importance of discussing and normalizing sexuality, highlighting the contrast between the acceptance of violence in American media versus the lingering taboo around sexuality.
Emma Stone recognizes the value of having an intimacy coordinator on set to create a safe space and process the emotional toll of intense scenes.
Deep dives
Emma Stone's Journey in Acting and Challenging Societal Norms
Emma Stone, an Oscar-nominated actress, discusses her early career, homeschooling, and breaking free from societal expectations. Stone reflects on her unconventional high school experience and the freedom she found in acting. She shares insights into the pressure to conform to religious beliefs and how she navigated her own path. Stone also emphasizes the importance of discussing and normalizing sexuality, highlighting the contrast between the acceptance of violence in American media versus the lingering taboo around sexuality.
Intimacy Coordination and Emotional Protection in Acting
Stone delves into the role of intimacy coordination in film and theater. She initially dismissed the idea due to her familiarity with the director and crew, but later realizes the value of having an intimacy coordinator on set. The presence of someone who understands the psychological and physical impact of intense scenes helps create a safe space. Stone emphasizes the need to acknowledge the emotional toll of acting, even when logically understanding that it is a performance. Through open communication with the intimacy coordinator, she is able to process and release the emotions experienced during intense scenes.
Navigating Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Stone opens up about her personal experience with anxiety and panic attacks, which started at a young age. She shares her journey of understanding and managing anxiety through therapy. Stone discusses her childhood panic attacks, separation anxiety, and the challenges of convincing herself that her fears were irrational. She also reflects on the connection between anxiety and acting, highlighting how acting provides a productive outlet for her big feelings and allows her to be fully present in the moment.
The Unconventional Path to Success and the Importance of Support
Stone discusses her early career and the support she received from her parents. She reflects on how she convinced her parents to homeschool her and later move to LA for auditions. Stone expresses gratitude for her parents' belief in her passion for acting and their willingness to support her unconventional journey. She acknowledges the importance of having a supportive network and credits casting director Alison Jones for recognizing her potential and giving her opportunities. Stone also shares her perspective on social media and its potential impact on mental health.
Stone has two Oscar nominations for Poor Things: One for best actress and one for best picture, as a producer. She spoke with Terry Gross about working with an intimacy coordinator, why she sees her anxiety as a superpower, and how Superbad changed her life.