The Craft of Acting: Paul Dano

A quietly electric screen presence whose ability to convey simmering internal tension has made him one of his generation’s most respected actors, Paul Dano has delivered unforgettable performances for a remarkable roster of major directors, including Paul Thomas Anderson, Steven Spielberg, Steve McQueen, Denis Villeneuve, and Bong Joon Ho. In this edition of The Craft of Acting, Dano joins writer Isaac Butler to explore the art of bringing a character to life. Through discussing the formative influence that Philip Seymour Hoffman’s fearlessly vulnerable performance in BOOGIE NIGHTS had on him, his process of channeling the creative spirit of Brian Wilson in the acclaimed biopic LOVE & MERCY, and how he harnessed the contrasting acting styles of Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal in his striking directorial debut WILDLIFE, Dano offers insight into how he transforms rigorous preparation into riveting, in-the-moment screen alchemy.