Regina King reveals realities about working as an actress and director

Actress/director Regina King recently revealed she has become a more open and sensitive professional after working behind the camera.

The American Crime star talked to The Hollywood Reporter’s Drama Actress Emmy Roundtable and discussed how her perspective has changed, stating, “You have thoughts and ideas about where this character is in this moment, in this scene.” After serving as director, now she comes to the set and asks, “Where do you want me?” instead of simply exploring in character.

Other Hollywood veterans, including Kirsten Dunst and Kerry Washington, have expressed that most directors are not very open in regard to giving them much to work with, particularly in regard to positive reinforcement. “It’s not like we want praise,” King explained, “but as an actress you want to hear something.”

“Direction!” the ladies agreed.

King believes that the most effective directors are the “ones that actually inspire something in you.” She then added, “You’ve had a thought, you’ve been working on these lines, you’ve done all your research, you’ve built your backstory as an actor, and those directors that can still come and tell you something and you go, ‘Oh, wow.’”

Regarding the Abc series American Crime, King said she is actually not all that familiar with her character, but has learned some valuable lessons from her collaboration and work with others. “The story that’s being told has taught me something about people.”

“With American Crime especially,” she continues, “there are so many conversations going on within our own households, [and] we don’t know other people’s experience. Just how much we don’t know about each other is amazing to me.”