120 Questions to Ask Actors

Behind the bright lights and applauding audiences lie the stories of dedication, passion, and resilience of those who bring characters to life.

Whether it’s uncovering the challenges they face, the techniques they cherish, or the moments that shape their journeys, engaging with actors through thoughtful inquiries can be both enlightening and inspiring.

About Their Movie

1. What attracted you to this particular script or story?
2. Can you describe your character in the movie?
3. What was the most challenging scene for you to film, and how did you prepare for it?
4. Were there any real-life inspirations for your character or improvised scenes that made it to the final cut?
5. How was your on-set chemistry with the other actors?
6. How would you describe the overall theme or message of the movie?
7. Were there any particular scenes, moments, or behind-the-scenes experiences that deeply resonated with you or were particularly memorable?
8. How did you collaborate with the director and the film’s creative team during the making of the film?
9. How was this role different from others you’ve played before? Did it require any special preparations, like physical training or research?
10. What do you hope audiences will take away from this movie?
11. Were there any unexpected challenges during filming, and how did you overcome them?
12. How do you feel the movie’s setting or location and the character’s wardrobe and makeup influenced your performance?
13. What was the most rewarding part of working on this film, and how did it challenge you as an actor?
14. How do you think this movie fits into the current film landscape or industry trends?
15. Now that the film is complete, how do you reflect on your character’s journey and arc, and how do you feel about potential sequels or spin-offs?

About Acting

1. What first drew you to the world of acting?
2. How would you define “good” acting?
3. What acting techniques or methods do you employ and find most effective?
4. How do you approach building a character from scratch and maintaining authenticity, especially if it’s far removed from your personal experiences?
5. What’s the most challenging part of immersing yourself in a role, and how do you handle emotionally taxing scenes?
6. Are there any actors you particularly admire or draw inspiration from?
7. How do you manage stage fright or nerves and maintain a separation between your character and your personal life?
8. How do you navigate the challenges of typecasting and avoid being pigeonholed into specific roles?
9. How do you handle criticism, both constructive and negative?
10. How do you approach roles that require physical transformations or intense training?
11. What’s your process for memorizing lines, and how important is the rehearsal process to you?
12. How do you build on-screen or on-stage chemistry with co-stars?
13. How has the acting industry changed since you began, and what advice would you give to young actors just starting out?
14. How do you stay motivated, especially in the face of rejection, and ensure continuous learning or training in your career?
15. In what ways do you think theater acting differs from film or television acting, and how do you adapt between them?

About Their Character

1. How would you describe your character in three words?
2. What initially drew you to this character, and did you see any of yourself in them?
3. What do you think is your character’s main motivation or driving force?
4. What challenges did you face in portraying this character, and were there any backstory elements you created that weren’t in the script?
5. What do you believe is your character’s greatest strength and weakness?
6. How did you prepare or research for this role, including any pivotal moments in the script crucial for understanding your character?
7. How was your character’s wardrobe and makeup instrumental in getting into the role, and were there any particular inspirations or references you looked to in developing this character?
8. How did you approach building chemistry with other characters and work with the director to shape and refine your character’s arc?
9. What was the most emotionally challenging scene for your character, and how did you approach it?
10. Are there specific choices the character makes that you personally disagree with? How did you reconcile with that as an actor?
11. How do you think your character evolves throughout the story, and do you feel they experienced growth or redemption by the end?
12. Were there any improvisational moments during filming or rehearsals that helped shape or define your character?
13. How did your character’s dynamics with the antagonist (if applicable) and other characters influence their development?
14. Do you feel your character’s core values and internal conflicts were accurately portrayed, and how did you maintain the authenticity of the character throughout the performance?
15. Now that you’ve portrayed this character, is there anything you’ll take away or learn from their journey, and how do you hope audiences perceive or react to your character?

Interesting Questions to Ask Actors

1. If you could live in any film or television universe for a week, which would it be?
2. What’s the most unexpected skill you’ve learned from an acting role?
3. If you could have dinner with any character you’ve played, who would it be and why?
4. What’s the strangest or most unexpected fan interaction you’ve ever had?
5. Are there roles or genres you’re hesitant to try? Why?
6. If you weren’t an actor, what career path might you have chosen?
7. How do you feel about the use of CGI and motion-capture technology in acting?
8. Can you recall a time on set or stage when it was almost impossible to keep a straight face?
9. What’s the most physically demanding scene or stunt you’ve ever done?
10. How do you navigate the fine line between personal privacy and public visibility?
11. Have you ever taken any mementos or props from a set?
12. Which classic film or play do you wish you could have been a part of?
13. Is there any actor or director, past or present, you’d love to collaborate with?
14. How do you feel about revisiting characters in sequels or spin-offs?
15. How do you handle the constant scrutiny and rumor mill in the entertainment industry?

Fun Questions to Ask Actors

1. If you could swap roles with any actor for a day, who would it be and why?
2. Have you ever used your acting skills to get out of a tricky situation in real life?
3. If you had to be trapped in a movie or TV show for a week, which one would you choose?
4. Which fictional character, other than the ones you’ve portrayed, do you think you’d get along best with?
5. If you could have any superpower on set or on stage, what would it be?
6. What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you during a shoot or performance?
7. If you could star in a remake of any classic film, which one would it be?
8. Which three props from any of your roles would you like to keep in real life?
9. If your acting career had a theme song, what would it be?
10. Have you ever tried impersonating another actor just for fun? If so, who?
11. If you had to do a one-man/woman show, which story or character would you choose to portray?
12. What’s the most bizarre costume you’ve ever had to wear for a role?
13. If you could have a dance-off with any actor, who would it be?
14. Which actor, alive or passed away, would you love to have a dinner conversation with?
15. Have you ever had a dream where you forgot your lines or showed up on set in your pajamas?

Questions to Ask Voice Actors

1. How did you get started in voice acting, and what drew you to the world of voice-over work as opposed to on-screen acting?
2. How do you prepare your voice for a recording session, including any vocal exercises or warm-ups you swear by?
3. How do you maintain the health and quality of your voice, especially during long recording sessions?
4. What’s the most challenging aspect of voice acting for you, and how do you approach creating a new character’s voice?
5. How is the experience of voicing for animation different from video games or dubbed content?
6. Are there any voice actors you admire or see as inspirations?
7. How do you handle multiple characters in the same project, ensuring each voice is distinct and consistent?
8. Do you find that you use much physicality in the booth, and how do you deal with the isolation of a recording booth?
9. Are there any roles or characters you’ve voiced that have a special place in your heart?
10. What advice would you give to someone looking to break into voice acting?
11. How has the voice acting industry evolved since you began, and what impact do you think technology, like AI, might have on the profession?
12. How do you collaborate with directors and producers during voice recording sessions?
13. How do you handle roles in languages or accents different from your own, and how important is improvisation in your work?
14. Have you ever faced vocal fatigue or injury, and how did you overcome it?
15. How do you feel about meeting fans who recognize you solely by your voice, and are there any memorable moments from a recording session you can share?

Questions to Ask Theater Actors

1. What drew you to theater acting specifically, as opposed to film or television?
2. How did you get your start in the theater world?
3. How do you approach character development in a play and the rehearsal process?
4. How does the live audience influence your performance, and how do you handle mistakes or unexpected moments on stage?
5. What’s the most memorable role you’ve played on stage?
6. Can you describe a particularly challenging live performance experience?
7. How does it feel to perform the same character night after night, and how do you keep your energy and focus during long-running shows?
8. Are there any stage actors or theater productions that have deeply influenced you?
9. What’s your process for memorizing lines and maintaining vocal health with frequent live performances?
10. What’s the difference in preparing for a musical versus a straight play, and how do you handle the physical demands of stage performances?
11. How do you cultivate chemistry with your co-actors on stage, and what challenges do you find in performing on non-traditional stages?
12. How do you decompress after a particularly intense performance?
13. How do you approach character evolution over the course of a play’s run and keep a long-running role fresh?
14. Can you share a moment when a live audience’s reaction completely surprised you or an onstage mishap and how you recovered?
15. What advice would you give to aspiring theater actors, and how has the theater industry changed since you began your career?

Questions to Ask Actors After a Play

1. How did it feel being on stage tonight, and were there any unexpected occurrences?
2. What was the most memorable moment from this evening’s performance?
3. How did tonight’s audience energy influence your performance?
4. How do you prepare yourself mentally each night before the curtain rises?
5. How has your character evolved since the first performance?
6. What’s the most challenging scene for you to perform in the play, and why?
7. Are there nuances in your character that you feel are especially important?
8. How has the character you play impacted you personally?
9. How do you handle differences in audience reactions from night to night?
10. What’s the most rewarding aspect of performing live for an audience?
11. Are there any backstage rituals or traditions the cast shares?
12. How did you develop the chemistry with your co-actors on stage?
13. How do you manage quick costume changes or technical demands backstage?
14. What do you want the audience to take away from this play?
15. How do you stay focused and in the moment during a live performance, especially during longer or more demanding scenes?

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Final Thoughts

Each actor’s journey is unique, filled with personal triumphs, challenges, and insights that can inspire and move us. By exploring these diverse perspectives, we not only celebrate the art of acting but also foster a deeper connection between audiences and those who dedicate their lives to storytelling.

So the next time you have the opportunity to dialogue with an actor, remember that your questions are a bridge to understanding the passion, dedication, and resilience that fuel their performances.