I came across this video of Hilary Duff revisiting scenes from some of her past projects, including The Lizzie McGuire Movie and A Cinderella Story, and it’s such a fun watch, but it’s also surprisingly insightful for actors.
Hilary Duff Rewatches The Lizzie McGuire Movie, A Cinderella Story & More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkZB9ofqvGA
What I enjoyed most was hearing her talk about what it actually felt like at the time. She describes auditioning as a kid and just being completely open and fearless, walking into a room and doing something as random as walking on her hands because they asked if she had a “special talent.”
She also talks about how Lizzie McGuire resonated because the character felt so relatable. Lizzie wasn’t perfect. She was awkward, embarrassed by her parents, crushing on the wrong guy, figuring herself out like everyone else.
Another thing she mentions is something a lot of actors can probably relate to: when you’re in the middle of filming something, you don’t really realize what it will mean later.
It also made me laugh how honest she was about remembering things like being exhausted on set, shooting around time restrictions because she was a minor, or looking back at costumes she hated that later became iconic.
Watching someone revisit their old work like this made me curious about the acting experience from the inside.
Have you ever gone back and watched your earlier performances? If you have, what did you notice? Did you see instincts you’re proud of? Choices you’d do completely differently now? Or moments that surprised you because they worked better than you expected?
And even if you haven’t been on screen yet, do you think revisiting your work later would feel exciting, embarrassing, or maybe a little of both?
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really enjoyed watching that video Ashley Renée Smith - thx for sharing it :)
I did get to go back and watch myself both during my dance career, which was almost all stage-based, and for screen work. was easier with the dance work because it was mostly about 'notes' that we'd apply to next performance, much like sports team do, right?
but for acting, was a lot tougher for me because it walks that fine line between making you more self-aware (like not moving a lot in close-up shots) and making you self-conscious. Rationally, it should never do the latter successfully because you're never living / acting / taping that moment ever again. But... tell that to our fragile artist ego ;)