The phenomenally talented Emma Watson, who has become synonymous with the Harry Potter The franchise’s success was no accident. Watson had developed a passion for acting through school plays and prepared for the franchise by spending hours going over and perfecting her audition.
Surprisingly, her first audition was perhaps the only time she saw herself perform, as Emma Watson was uncomfortable seeing herself on screen. Like many Hollywood actors, including Johnny Depp, Watson said she was nervous about seeing her performance on screen. But then Harry Potter Star gave her some good advice that helped her overcome her fear.
Maggie Smith’s golden advice helped Emma Watson in the long run
Emma Watson’s rise to fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter The franchise initially began with school plays and brief appearances. After honing her skills, Watson showed up for the first screen test for The Philosopher’s Stone, where she faced major challenges. However, after several hours of preparation, Watson finally perfected her interpretation with Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, delving into the role of the brilliant witch in eight consecutive films.
Yet, even as Emma Watson perfected her performance and became a global icon, she surprisingly found a new sense of unease when watching herself on screen. This common nervousness is often shared by many Hollywood actors, including Johnny Depp, who admitted to never watching himself act. But for Watson, this fear almost undermined her performance until she received some golden advice from her co-star and mentor, Maggie Smith.
When Emma Watson’s discomfort with her screen presence became a major obstacle to her career, Maggie Smith channeled her inner Professor McGonagall to help the young actress overcome her fear. According to Watson’s interview during Late Night with David Letterman, The actress recalled that even as a child actress, she was often nervous about seeing herself on screen, but it was Smith who gave her some good advice that has helped her in the long run ever since.
You know, it’s funny. I was always really nervous in the early Harry Potter movies. I would twist myself like a pretzel in my seat and bite my nails and stuff. (But) I’m pretty sure it was Maggie Smith who said that to me.
It’s been 10 years now, so sometimes I can barely remember. But uh – she basically said, “How are you going to get better if you don’t watch your performances?” And I said, “Well, that’s a good point,” and yeah. She just told me to get a grip, and I’ve been watching my performances ever since.
The advice Emma Watson received from her esteemed co-star Maggie Smith was instrumental in overcoming this fear. Smith, known for her long career and wisdom, helped Watson with some sage advice that continues to benefit her in her acting journey. Smith’s advice was direct yet profound, allowing Watson to develop a healthier relationship with her performances and embrace her role with confidence.
Hollywood stars are known to have similar fears as Emma Watson
Unfortunately, unlike Emma Watson, there are several Hollywood stars who have not been able to overcome their fear or discomfort of seeing themselves on screen. Perhaps they all need a proper consultation from Maggie Smith. But all jokes aside, Johnny Depp is one of the many actors who have admitted to never watching his performances. Depp, who is associated with the wizarding world through his role as Gellert Grindelwald, once said: The Independent,
Once I’m done working on a film, I don’t really care about it anymore. I stay as far away as possible… I don’t like watching myself.
Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon also said in an interview with Daily Expresshow much she hates watching her own films. Witherspoon claimed she has “absolute amnesia” about every film she has ever made and admitted that she never watches her performance because otherwise she would “would fall into a state of self-hatred“. Even Tom Hanks had added to the list ABC News that watching his own films is a “terrible mistake“.
Because you never learn what to do. You only learn what not to do. The problem with watching old movies is that they don’t change.
The list of actors who have a hard time watching their own performances seems to be long and includes Javier Bardem, Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Jesse Eisenberg and many more (via BuzzFeed). But as Maggie Smith advised Emma Watson, by managing self-doubt and learning from the mistakes of his performances, an actor can be more successful and fulfilled in his career.
Harry Potter Movies are available on Max.
