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THR Full Comedy Actress Roundtable: Emmy Rossum, Issa Rae, Pamela Adlon, America Ferrera & More!

The Hollywood Reporter・51 minutes read

Performers shared embarrassing moments and experiences of pressure to be likable in the industry. They discussed the complexities of portraying unlikable characters and the importance of advocating for equal pay in the entertainment industry.

Insights

  • The performers discussed the pressure on women in the entertainment industry to be likable, highlighting the liberation of not needing approval and the importance of portraying complex, unlikable female characters.
  • Megan emphasized the need for authentic storytelling and diverse voices in positions of power within the entertainment industry, reflecting on personal experiences of advocating for equal pay and setting boundaries against uncomfortable requests, while also underscoring the importance of unity and support among individuals facing similar challenges.

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Recent questions

  • How do actresses handle unlikable characters?

    Actresses explore complexities, redemption, and relatability in roles.

  • What societal pressures do actresses face?

    Actresses discuss likability, representation, and equal pay challenges.

  • How does Megan reflect on her career?

    Megan transitions between genres, shares challenges, and perceptions.

  • What is the importance of diverse storytelling?

    Diverse storytelling transcends racial boundaries, creates relatable content.

  • How do actresses advocate for gender equality?

    Actresses share experiences, demand equal pay, support each other.

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Summary

00:00

Actresses Share Embarrassing Moments and Insights

  • Performers shared embarrassing moments: a shifted modesty patch during a sex scene, a sink breaking during a scene, a silk shirt revealing sweat stains, and being dug a ditch for a kissing scene.
  • An actress fell asleep during a scene where Bill Macy urinated in shoes, leading to an awkward moment on camera.
  • Another actress shared embarrassing moments of drooling on herself due to braces during filming.
  • America Ferrera discussed her role in "Superstore" and the liberation of not needing to be liked, contrasting it with her previous role in "Ugly Betty."
  • Minnie Driver talked about her character in "Speechless" and the importance of portraying complex, unlikable female characters.
  • Kamla Advani shared experiences of being asked to be more likable in roles and finding humanity in flawed characters.
  • The performers discussed the pressure on women to be likable in the industry and the liberation of not needing approval.
  • They delved into the complexities of female characters on television and the relatability of flawed characters.
  • Personal experiences of feeling like a hero professionally but trashy personally were shared, highlighting the contrast between public perception and personal reality.
  • The actresses explored the nuances of portraying unlikable characters and finding redemption in flawed individuals in their roles.

15:34

Megan's Journey: Acting to Directing and Beyond

  • Megan discusses a song, "Cherry" by Ratatat, that evokes strong emotions in her, particularly chills, and her desire to use it in a scene despite network feedback.
  • She emphasizes the importance of exploring characters beyond the traditional good guy versus bad guy dichotomy, delving into the root causes of behavior.
  • Megan reflects on her career, transitioning between comedy and drama roles, and the challenges and perceptions associated with each genre.
  • She recounts a comedic audition experience as a teenager where she unintentionally made the casting team laugh during a dramatic scene.
  • Megan shares insights on the challenges of voice acting, highlighting the need for confidence and readiness in sessions with seasoned professionals.
  • The conversation shifts to Megan's upbringing in LA and her journey from acting to directing, realizing her strengths and interests in the latter.
  • Megan discusses the complexities of representation for Latino characters in the entertainment industry, emphasizing the need for authentic storytelling and diverse voices in positions of power.
  • She touches on the societal expectations for women to assert themselves in male-dominated fields like directing, drawing from her own experiences in pursuing directing opportunities.
  • Megan underscores the importance of telling human stories that transcend racial boundaries, aiming to create relatable content for diverse audiences through universal emotions and experiences.
  • Megan reflects on her past typecasting as the quirky best friend in various roles, sharing anecdotes of being pigeonholed into similar character archetypes.

29:34

"Empowering Women in Entertainment Industry"

  • The speaker discusses the evolution of women's roles in film and journalism, highlighting the current freedom in television to write, direct, and embody characters as desired.
  • The speaker emphasizes the importance of having an all-female writing room for a show, creating a feminist atmosphere behind the scenes.
  • The speaker reflects on the shift in autonomy felt when women are the subject, not the object, in the entertainment industry.
  • The speaker discusses the portrayal of nudity in the show, expressing a desire for equal opportunity and purposeful nudity in storytelling.
  • The speaker recounts personal experiences of being asked to perform physical tasks in exchange for roles, highlighting the need to stand up against such requests.
  • The speaker shares a past experience of feeling pressured to drop a towel for a scene, asserting her discomfort and setting boundaries.
  • The speaker discusses the importance of advocating for equal pay in the entertainment industry, sharing a personal experience of negotiating for fair compensation.
  • The speaker reflects on the support received from male counterparts in advocating for equal pay, emphasizing the significance of allies in the fight for gender equality.
  • The speaker references the historical example of Suzanne Somers fighting for equal pay on "Three's Company," highlighting the repercussions women face when demanding fair compensation.
  • The speaker addresses the broader issue of gender inequality in various industries, citing examples from the medical field and government to emphasize the pervasive nature of the problem.

44:24

Advocating for Gender Equality and Fair Pay

  • The speaker discusses the importance of addressing gender and race issues within the system, emphasizing the need for personal accountability and self-reflection.
  • They recount an encounter at a health food store where a young girl expressed gratitude for the speaker's efforts in gender equality, highlighting the impact of individual actions.
  • The speaker reflects on the challenges of advocating for oneself within a system that often discourages asking for more, mentioning instances where agents or attorneys may dissuade requests.
  • They delve into the disparity in pay between men and women in the film industry, illustrating the struggle of balancing financial needs with principles and the pressure to accept unequal pay.
  • The speaker stresses the importance of unity and support among individuals facing similar challenges, emphasizing the need to uplift each other rather than resorting to shaming.
  • They discuss the evolving landscape where individuals are more empowered to demand fair treatment and compensation, acknowledging the shift towards accountability and transparency.
  • The conversation shifts to the responsibility of Hollywood figures in telling diverse stories and providing opportunities for underrepresented voices, highlighting the impact of storytelling on societal change.
  • In a lighthearted segment, the speaker imagines swapping places with various Hollywood personalities, expressing admiration for their power and influence, while also reflecting on characters from TV shows they relate to.
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