Viola Davis on Acting

"You've gotta get up off your ass!" The Fences, Doubt and How to Get Away with Murder star gives straight-talking advice on collaborating with other actors and dealing with unexpected circumstances.
subscribe to Guru ⏩ / baftaguru
⏬ stay up to date ⏬
Twitter:
@BAFTAGuru: / baftaguru
@BAFTA: / bafta
@BAFTAGames: / baftagames
Facebook: / bafta
Instagram: / bafta
sign up for our newsletter: guru.bafta.org/...
subscribe to our podcasts:
iTunes: bit.ly/Vz84HI
Soundcloud: / bafta
visit our websites to find out more:
www.bafta.org/guru
www.bafta.org

[@muradbyunus]

She's just a force of nature. Her success is so well deserved.

[@CharlieMunn]

She's pure fire.

[@amyhuggins7966]

jonahaimz She’s an icon! She deserves SO many accolades! Just listen to her intelligence. She’s a genius and I absolutely LOVE HER!!

[@LionessStudios]

I got to be on set with her. She's an absolute legend.

[@kingzgraphicz1634]

Big fax

[@SpencerLevey]

One of the best actors working today. She just makes everything feels so real.

[@CharlieMunn]

100% agreed.

[@babykay2493]

She is wonderful. So refreshing to have such a powerful female working in film. She needs more leading roles though... its frustrating she tends to only get side parts.

[@tamedcreme9846]

SpencerLevey i was an extra on HTGAWM and I must say.. it's exactly what you see one the screen. I was so shocked.. everyone was good.. but with her.. I felt like I was at home watching television 😹 Glad I found this.

[@alexaw.4905]

She is amazing!!

[@thefamliytalks8843]

SpencerLevey exactly oscar winner nominee o

[@Nothining]

I want her as my acting coach!!

[@LionessStudios]

can you imagine?!?!?

[@emretrpan5990]

@@LionessStudios I want to too

[@wolfvision5154]

except you are not an actor

[@soulfullyone1233]

@@wolfvision5154 That's what an acting coach is for.

[@Ang417]

I can listen to her talk all day

[@nkwari]

Amen

[@NancyArnstein]

same

[@lalagonegaga]

I did not blink for seven minutes and twenty five seconds.

[@no-one00]

I did

[@aydenanthony6508]

She is the most captivating actress, honestly she creates a reality in her acting like no one can.

[@christopherlewis7115]

I don't think there isn't anything Viola can't do. I also liked when she named Meryl and Cicely as her influences

[@CharlieMunn]

She's my influence. Pure fire.

[@Cinematic_Jesse]

Being out of control is the best way to be in control 🤔 Thank you Viola, you truly are one of the best.

[@CharlieMunn]

It's the magic trick. The work is easy, you have to let go.

[@dirrtyrulez]

Give her all the awards

[@pranknation9589]

Viola's a Meisner actor and I love it!

[@LionessStudios]

yes

[@justisburris718]

Taking notes. She is literally my favorite. I will try my hardest to live up to this 🙏🏾🎞

[@wolfvision5154]

Taking notes for hamlet at school because you are not an actor.

[@hopematsitsa9317]

I am always so in love with her smile. Beautifully black.

[@EvieMatavelli]

Best tips! Thank you for the video. I agree whatever it's given to you as an actor you got to support your scene partner . Some people never learn that - I see that in improvisation classes often. You have to accept and keep the tone and energy balanced. Some people want to be louder or they cut you off short the best improv is when you keep it balanced

[@CharlieMunn]

Give to your partner. It's so key. It's what make scenes good. You're so on the nose.

[@LionessStudios]

If you are looking for more acting tips, I've started re-teaching what I learned in film school on my channel

[@marclawrence7844]

One of our greatest living actors. So believable.

[@synthiasimms4608]

The greatest in many ppl opinions!

[@ChristinaAsher]

Brilliant. You are so right. Be a generous actor. Never tell another actor how to act. Leave yourself alone. Great advice.

[@LionessStudios]

it's one of the first things I learned. Never tall another actor what to do unless they ask you.

[@DavidSmith-ed3xh]

Acting 101 with Viola Davis! Some wonderful tips to help you grow as an actor and appreciate the depth of her work.

[@LionessStudios]

If you want more acting tips, I've started re-teaching everything I learned in film school if it would help you!

[@whatkindofblue17]

what a delight

[@CharlieMunn]

She's a light to theater makers everywhere.

[@plotocomedy667]

WhatKindOfBlue

[@alicesurtv]

This woman is always so vulnerable, I love her. Even here, she was about to cry or had already cried before this.

[@SnoozeAddict]

Such an amazing actress! I love her!

[@CharlieMunn]

Just the best.

[@pablozky21]

Viola Davis gives me strength and insight. Love her!

[@tee7722]

She is incredible.

[@CharlieMunn]

Totally. Just an inspiration to actors everywhere.

[@LionessStudios]

so amazing

[@jlilcutie]

she's the real deal!

[@CharlieMunn]

The realest. Just fire.

[@AmandaMHunt]

I need a one on one class with Ms Davis because every interview I watch I have to take notes!

[@FuzzySoulTiger]

This is truly great advice because I used to do all my preparations at home but find out my interactions with other actors, once on stage, completely changes. This is the one business where anything goes. You have to go with the flow.

[@oliviagiles]

She is just amazing

[@CharlieMunn]

AH-mazing

[@minyv23]

I LOVE when an actor is generous with their process. Thank you for sharing the wisdom

[@angelmatos9143]

Viola can ‘stare down’ any actor in any scene today.

[@LionessStudios]

it's true her eyes are so telling, so compelling

[@nemojzezat]

I could listen to her for hours. She is so captivating

[@CrowIIII]

Her approach to collaborating requires genius, and she brings it.

[@juicyr]

"The actors that should get the awards are the ones that make bad writing look good" 😂

[@kathleen4376]

Brilliant truth

[@NaticzkaKaminskaHenryDolphin]

And it's a FACT.

[@NoteFromSELF]

I don't get the 😂. Viola was serious.

[@juicyr]

@@NoteFromSELF because she said it like it is that's why I 😂

[@ShavonCastella]

Her michelle obama acting was horrid. Why was she balling her lips up😂😂😂😂

[@evelunn8410]

great respect for this woman and her dedication to and understanding of her craft....you are an inspiration, Viola

[@Cc-is3is]

she is so amazing and talented definitely deserved the Oscar she got love her

[@sarahhalasz2258]

This is such fantastic advice! I will use this as I develop my current character!

[@CharlieMunn]

What character are you developing? Yes! keep making work.

[@Meow_meowwww]

same

[@lehuy4278]

I love her so much

[@outinsider]

This was just what I needed to watch today. Viola Davis inspires me, so much so I think I wrote a character and picturing her play it.

[@euphorically6123]

I watched this literally 3 times gonna put some here stuff in my notes now,amazing work right here.

[@marcuscameron8274]

The technique she seems to be using is Practical Aesthetics developed by David Mamet. It's perfect

[@jmtheboat]

Powerful words from a master.

[@na3496]

She is a sage

[@CharlieMunn]

So wise. She know's what to do and how to make.

[@nard-o]

I’m gonna rewatch this a few times.

[@damarisisales]

Thank you for your advice Mrs. Davis

[@corgisrule21]

Her, Kathy Bates, and Meryl Streep are my queens

[@joubert350]

Everything she just said 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@DarleneSterling]

This is so eye opening. I respect her very much!

[@halakassab1996]

I Love her,she is amazing 😍

[@tfaddict8254]

This is PRICELESS!

[@jaimarabeals3280]

so inspired by her. love looking up to her, she's so wise.

[@katieh6549]

so helpful

[@anthonycoyles1965]

Adds so much gravity to every role ...❤️

[@75smurfette]

Fabulous advice Ms. Davis!

[@malin434]

the power she has, wow

[@kiawilliams7384]

What a goat❤️❤️👏🏾

[@ymest269daniel9]

I love her so much!

[@NoteFromSELF]

I simply love listening to Viola speak. And I get her perspective on acting.

[@truefilm1556]

Definitely one of the very best actresses ever.

[@kingsuave4452]

Very talented, elegant actress.

[@angelbishop9574]

This was great insight!

[@NueNues]

Thank you! Duly noted, copied, resonated, digested and will be implemented!

[@LionessStudios]

are you looking for acting tips? I've started sharing everything I learned in film school on my channel if that would help you?!

[@NueNues]

Lioness Studios - Yes, always a sponge to learning, thank you! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@SuperSmile2004]

Brilliant!

[@vhaswings]

Oh my gosh - Thank you - This is so true!

[@fefemarks315]

i love this woman.

[@islandgirlruby2750]

Help....I'm addicted to watching videos of Viola Davis interviews.

[@brandonclark8987]

The given circumstances are such a nice ploy to the reality of the inner existence becoming an outer truth. I love finding small trinkets of hints to further my character analysis when I have some detailed words to embody the actions surrounding character objective. So new to this screen acting world, but I'm glad I went to theatre school too.

[@louiseharris4474]

PURE GOLD

[@KuyaManzano]

What should I use youtube as an actor for? Showcase my jobs? Entertain people with special new videos? Should I have a different channel for each thing? ty :-)

[@nouinoui6639]

I LOVE HER

[@kathleen4376]

I always enjoy and learn from Viola Davis’s interviews , stories and insight into her acting approach or process.

[@CreativeActorsLab425]

I love all of this - also journaling as the character helps as well - before the event in the script and then after the event - and see what the character has gone through internally.

[@AI-AITUM]

Wisdom at its finest 🙌🏾 Ms Davis

[@TheEgoandme]

Amazing!

[@iamtamaramariah]

So helpful! xxx

[@charismacarrillo7003]

Such poise.

[@patricktilsley9164]

She’s my favourite actress!!!

[@6rban100k]

Viola is the only person who deserve to buy a ticket and fly to her just to hug her and take a selfie with I love this human being 💕

[@_assweetashoney]

She makes me want to become an actress 😩😩🤞🏾

[@pchelamaja88]

a double snakes god I love this woman!

[@tobeeawosika7888]

Viola is amazing! love love love her

[@oscaralextv]

This was a wonderful acting MasterClass

[@arfenmalik1717]

Acting requires some crazy amount of concentration Learning those lines and rehearsing is just crazy and that was something my mind never wanted to do. Am an accounting student and i would rather study that than read a script but i still wonner act

[@pp_wesley]

yes!! preach!! #viola

[@JaesadaSrisuk]

This might be her year to finally get her Oscar. Let's hoping third- (or is it fourth?) times nominated is the charm?

[@Jen-jo5qu]

Watching a genius and an artist speak.

[@robertdavis3036]

Thanks, Vi.

[@danielelolli3386]

She's an incredible woman and as an actor

[@tarellrowe1335]

Perfection.

[@katherinemarsh7429]

Excellent info

[@MiaSpeight]

Teach sis!!!

[@therenaessance]

queen.

[@SilverTLyneng]

You are a amazing actress !!

[@dduem13]

Thanks

[@Iksvomid]

Greatest Viola I've ever seen. Beats any violin any time of day.

[@MaryAnnFlaus]

BEST EVER LOVE YOUR ACTING COMES FROM YOUR HEART ❤

[@cholan3871]

So true.

[@ciarajackson6520]

Genius

[@JMBBrasil]

Genius actor with genius things to say.

[@cadillacdeville5828]

I just LOVE everything she does.

[@sarunp7535]

She is a living legend 👏👏👏

[@rakiyajones7142]

I love that actress

[@melodyal3357]

And that's why she is one of the best actress in the world!!!

[@amyhuggins7966]

VIOLA IS A LEGEND AND AN ICON! A WOMAN I GREATLY ADMIRE. SHE IS ONE OF THE BEST ACTORS I’VE EVER SEEN IN MY 46 YEARS. Challenge that statement. I dare you.