Actor Natalie Dormer discusses her craft of acting and how she gets inside the head of her characters. Topics include her roles in Game of Thrones, The Tudors, and Picnic At Hanging Rock, as well as her own movie In Darkness. They also explore moments of clarity and focus, the challenges of portraying emotions and intimacy on screen, embracing imperfection, and the cathartic process of acting.
Understanding your own intentions is crucial for better mental health and exploring the depth and complexity of the world we live in through creative endeavors.
Acting can be both vulnerable and nerve-wracking, but finding a healthy balance between openness and confidence is essential for success in the craft.
Deep dives
Natalie Dormer's Reflection on Acting and Craft
Natalie Dormer discusses her craft as an internal process that allows her to explore the depth and complexity of the world we live in. She acknowledges the value of asking questions and the importance of empathy in understanding a character's motivations. Dormer shares her experiences of playing challenging roles, including those that confront mortality, and the emotional toll they can take. She emphasizes the necessity of giving oneself the space to make mistakes and learn from them. Dormer also highlights the power of storytelling in provoking emotions and providing an outlet for self-expression.
Balancing Vulnerability and Confidence as an Actor
Dormer touches on the vulnerability and nervousness that can arise from acting, particularly in intimate or intense scenes. She discusses the importance of finding a healthy balance between being open and allowing oneself to feel and being confident in one's abilities. Dormer notes that nerves can be a sign of caring deeply about one's craft, but emphasizes the need to manage them and not let them overwhelm. She also highlights the significance of supporting and encouraging others in their creative endeavors.
The Cathartic Nature of Acting and Creativity
Dormer shares how her craft serves as a cathartic outlet for processing her fears and issues in life. She expresses the importance of exploring one's skillset, challenging oneself, and embracing mistakes as opportunities for growth. Dormer emphasizes the need for compassion and patience with oneself and others, as well as the value of embracing imperfections. She also discusses the power of storytelling and the role of creativity in connecting with others and finding inspiration.
The Magic of Creativity and Imagination
Dormer reflects on the mysterious and inexplicable nature of creativity and the artistic temperament. She explores the idea of drawing inspiration from another plane and the urgent need to seize and act on creative ideas before they fade away. Dormer shares insights from her conversation with Tori Amos about the importance of giving back the inspiration received from the muses and the impact of embracing imagination and storytelling in everyday life.
Understanding your own intentions is part of the journey to better mental health, but actor Natalie Dormer makes a habit of adding another entire character to the mix.
In this funny and insightful chat with Fearne, she tells us what she does to get inside the head of the character she's playing - and what that can do to her own mind.
On the way we discuss her roles in Game of Thrones, The Tudors and Picnic At Hanging Rock, as well as her own movie (which she co-wrote) In Darkness.