Some of the best acting lessons are free on YouTube, if you know where to look. Here are interviews, masterclasses and behind-the-scenes films from official channels, with a note on why each is worth your time.
Videos load from YouTube (in privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. All videos belong to their original channels.
Masterclasses on the craft
Working actors talking about how they approach a role.
Viola Davis on Acting
BAFTA Guru
An Oscar, Emmy and Tony winner on her approach to the work. Short and worth rewatching.
Andrew Scott: Important Acting Lessons
BAFTA Guru
Turning points from Andrew Scott’s career and the lessons he took from them.
Acting Masterclass with Delroy Lindo
BAFTA Guru
A full masterclass from a veteran of stage and screen. Settle in with a notebook.
Bill Nighy’s Advice for Actors (and Life)
National Theatre
From the National Theatre’s Life in Stages series: candid, funny and useful for any stage of a career.
Ben Whishaw: “Romans, countrymen and lovers”
National Theatre
A great example of handling Shakespeare’s verse so it sounds like real thought.
Career conversations
Long-form interviews about whole careers. Ideal for a quiet evening.
Michael Caine Career Retrospective
SAG-AFTRA Foundation
Decades of screen acting in one conversation, from one of film acting’s great explainers.
Al Pacino Career Retrospective
SAG-AFTRA Foundation
Pacino looks back on his work on stage and screen.
Emily Blunt Career Retrospective
SAG-AFTRA Foundation
How a career moves between drama, comedy, action and musicals.
Ewan McGregor Career Retrospective
SAG-AFTRA Foundation
From independent film to blockbusters, in his own words.
Roundtables
Leading actors comparing notes. You learn as much from how they disagree as from what they agree on.
Actress Roundtable: Jolie, Moore, Zendaya, Saldaña, Madison, Swinton
The Hollywood Reporter
Six actresses on choosing roles, preparing and the pressures of the job.
Actors Roundtable: Driver, LaBeouf, De Niro, Hanks, Foxx
The Hollywood Reporter
Very different working methods around one table.
Comedy Actors Roundtable: Baron Cohen, Carrey, Cheadle & more
The Hollywood Reporter
Comedy is a craft too. Here is how these actors treat it.
How to Make It in Hollywood: Harbour, Falco, Daniels & more
Vanity Fair
Established actors share career advice for people starting out.
Auditions and self-tapes
Straight from casting directors. Pair these with our free Self-Tape Checklist.
Everything You Need to Know About Self-Taping
Spotlight
A practical overview from the UK’s casting directory.
The Self-Tape Musts: Casting Director Frank Moiselle
Spotlight
What a casting director wants to see on your tape.
3 Things Every Self-Tape Must Have
Backstage
Quick, concrete tips from a casting director.
How Casting Directors Review Submissions
Spotlight
A look at the other side of the process, and why first impressions count.
The Spotlight Guide to Idents
Spotlight
How to record a short, confident introduction (slate) for your tapes.
Behind the scenes
How productions are made, from the rehearsal room to opening night.
Sam Mendes on His Rehearsal Process
National Theatre
A leading director explains how he runs rehearsals and works with actors.
War Horse: Inside the Rehearsal Room
National Theatre
Inside rehearsals for one of the National Theatre’s most famous productions.
The Father and the Assassin: In the Rehearsal Room
National Theatre
A company building a new play together.
How We Made It: The Olivier Rains for The Crucible
National Theatre
The stagecraft behind a memorable theatrical effect.
Backstage at the National Theatre in the Hour Before a Play Begins
Aeon Video
A short documentary on the quiet rituals before curtain up.
Free download
Get the Self-Tape Checklist
Two printable pages to tick through before every self-tape: setup, light, sound, eyeline, slate and sending your tape the right way.