Beginner vs Oscar Winning Actress (Same Scene)

We've all seen our fair share of Oscar-winning performances, but most of us can't articulate what exactly makes them so special. So, today I'm going to be breaking down the differences when a

beginner, intermediate, pro, and finally an Oscarinning actor take on the exact same scene. This way, we can finally

same scene. This way, we can finally start to understand what exactly makes acting so great. I'm Tristan Spone, a professional actor who you might have

seen on Netflix or Peacock or Paramount Plus on some of the following shows. In

this, scene, from, La, La Land,, Sebastian surprises his exartner Mia at her apartment to let her know she has landed a major audition. Okay, so let's start

with our complete beginner actors who at the point of recording this have taken less than a year of acting classes.

Why are you here?

>> I, have, good, news.

>> Okay.

>> Amy, Branet, the casting director.

>> Yes,, I, know, about, her.

>> She, was, at, your, play, and, she, loved, it.

And she loved it so much that she wants you to come audition for this huge movie she's got.

>> I'm, not, going., Excuse

me.

>> Constant, it, just, seems, like, he's, talking to a random stranger. It almost feels unrequited versus Janiah. It's very

clear there is this awkward tension between the two.

>> It's, another, audition., I, have, been, to hundreds of auditions and do you want to know what happens? Like either they interrupt me because someone wants a sandwich or else they

cut me off like two seconds in just be like for no apparent reason or else they're just I'm crying and they start laughing or else I'm just one of a hundred other look alikes in the waiting

room.

>> I, think, she, did, a, really, great, job, of letting it build up to finally kind of losing a little bit of control over herself where we can tell she's been going through this for a while. However

it seems like she's trying to figure out what to say next instead of having strong individual opinions of each of these terrible factors of auditioning.

>> Maybe, it, just, hurts, a, little, bit, too much.

>> I, told, him, you'd, be, there, tomorrow, at 5:30.

I'll drive back here before I swing back at 8. It's either you'll be outside or

at 8. It's either you'll be outside or you won't. I don't see him actually like

you won't. I don't see him actually like fighting for her to go to this audition.

We need to feel like Cen knows that this is going to be her big break and really really, really needs to convince her to go to this, not to let this opportunity

slip through her fingers. In the scope of most beginning actors, this was pretty strong. Now, remember, we are

pretty strong. Now, remember, we are going to break down all the way up to our Oscar-winning actress, Emma Stone.

But let's see how our intermediate actors did this scene with just a few years of training under their belt. Kyle

and Ria >> I've, got, good, news.

>> Okay.

>> Amy, Brandt,, the, casting, director.

>> I, know, who, she, is.

>> She, was, at, your, show, and, she, loved, it.

>> She, wants, you, to, come, audition, for, this brand new play she's got.

>> Yeah., No,, I'm, I'm, I'm, not, going, to, go, to that.

Why not? Why? What? Excuse me?

>> You're, telegraphing, way, too, much., You

will eventually have this middle point where you take enough classes to learn how to make a scene feel more engaging but you execute your techniques a little

bit too clearly that it just feels fake.

This feels way more performative than the beginners right now >> because, it's, just, another, audition.

I mean, I've been on hundreds and hundreds of auditions. Sebastian, do you not know what happens at auditions?

>> Really?

>> Okay., Well,, they're, they're, either, too busy ordering a sandwich or, you know they're cutting me off after a few seconds of my scene starting.

>> Now,, we're, finding, stream., I, feel, like both of them didn't really know how to start and so they overamplified, but it leads to it not being interesting because it feels like actors trying to

get your attention. And this is where Ria is finding her stride because I can tell she has experienced this and she's doing what Janiah didn't where we get to

see her distinct opinion of each of these factors of what makes a terrible audition. Kyle, he is reacting. He is a

audition. Kyle, he is reacting. He is a lot more invested in the stakes of the scene. The stakes feel way more clear

scene. The stakes feel way more clear for him than they did for Constant. It

was clear that he cared about her although a little bit too much.

>> Or, I'm, crying, and, they're, laughing, at me. Or I'm just one of a hundred women

me. Or I'm just one of a hundred women out there in the lobby that just never stood a chance.

>> There, was, no, part, of, that, reaction, that actually felt genuine. So far, every reaction he's had has a movement accompanied with it. It's trying to force us to see, look at how I'm

reacting at this. I'm giving a lot of like relatively negative feedback in this towards Kyle, but I know Kyle is way better than we've seen here. It

seems as though maybe the pressure has gotten to him and so he feels like he really wants to impress y'all. So, just

keep in mind all of these people in this video are students. be kind in the comments knowing that we're all still growing and learning. And by the way they are students that have volunteered.

Some people have said, "Oh, I don't want to join your community because I don't want you to roast me publicly." We don't put people in the video without their express permission. And we only send the

express permission. And we only send the scene to people that want to do the scene for the purpose of this video.

Now, before we break down how our Oscar winner, Emma Stone, did this with the iconic Ryan Gosling, let's check out how our pro actors did this scene. Daniel, a

South African actor that has appeared in multiple Union projects through the years. And then Amber, who has appeared

years. And then Amber, who has appeared on Army Wives and a top secret project that will be coming out soon as well.

So, let's see how they perform.

>> Why, did, you, come, here?

>> Because, I, have, some, good, news.

Okay.

>> Emmy, Brandt, the casting director.

>> Yeah,, I, know, who, she, is.

>> She, saw, your, play and she loved it.

And she loved it so much that she wants you to come and audition for a huge movie she's got.

That already is the most interesting moment we've seen from everybody else.

Even though it was a very split-second thing, but our beginners and our intermediates, every single line said exactly what they were thinking and how they were feeling, and there was never

really any nuance behind that. Versus

here, we actually see the contradicting things that are true at the same time where not only is this something that heavily excites her, but it also heavily

disappoints her at the same time. I do

think a part of Daniel knew that the scene was going to go a little bit off the rails. So, he's starting from a

the rails. So, he's starting from a relatively intense place instead of starting from the place of excitement and letting the scene eventually unfold into the more off the rails version that

it becomes.

>> I, you, know, I, that, would, kill, me.

>> That's, it., that, trying, to, pretend, like things are fine, even though in her eyes we can tell that they're not, there's more going on beneath the surface.

>> Yeah.

>> So,, you're, happy, here?

>> I'm, happier.

>> We, can, tell, she's, not., Even, though, she's smiling at it off, her eyes are betraying how she actually feels.

>> Why, won't, you, come?

I told you.

>> Come, on, by.

>> It's, just, another, audition, you know? I mean, I've been to hundreds

you know? I mean, I've been to hundreds of auditions.

And >> he's, grounded, while, also, in, a, place, of clearly caring for her. With Cen, he was basically grounded. Even though he had a

basically grounded. Even though he had a little bit more theatrical of a way of speaking, it didn't seem like he cared about her until the very end. With Kyle

the stakes were just they were clear but he tried like way too hard to communicate them, and so it didn't really feel grounded at all. Versus with

Daniel, he has a good blend of yes, he clearly cares about her, but he's also approaching the scene from a lot more of a grounded place.

>> You, want, to, know, what, happens?, This, is just somebody interrupts you because they ordered a sandwich or they cut you off after like 2 seconds or you're crying and then they start laughing or

you're in the middle of a waiting room with a hundred looks look alikes and you never even stood a chance because >> because, what?

>> Because maybe I'm not good enough.

>> And, this, is, the, first, one, I, feel, the back tingles. We can feel Amber is like

back tingles. We can feel Amber is like so close to losing control of herself but she's keeping it under control. And

I think Amber is doing a great job of showing. Brian Cranston said this.

showing. Brian Cranston said this.

>> If, a, character, cries, easily,, the audience doesn't have to, but if a character tries not to cry, that's when the audience will.

>> In, life,, who, sets, out, to, make, sure everybody sees them cry in front of them? sociopaths, but not an actual

them? sociopaths, but not an actual human being that's going through life in a traditional sense. It's a very actor thing to go into a scene and just let tears roam freely. Cuz when we want the

audience to see, look guys, I'm doing the thing that everyone that gets started into acting thinks acting is about, which is can you cry on Q?

>> You, are.

>> No,, maybe, I'm, not.

Maybe I'm just one of those people who always wanted to do it but never got the chance.

It's a pipe dream.

And I, don't know,, maybe, it's, like, you, said, maybe I should just grow up so I could I could go back to school

you know? I mean, I can find something

you know? I mean, I can find something else that I'm supposed to do.

cuz you know I left school. I gave it a shot. It didn't work out. Took six years

shot. It didn't work out. Took six years and I really don't want to do it anymore.

>> Why?

>> Why?, What?

>> Why, don't, you, feel, like, doing, it anymore?

>> Because it hurts a little too much.

That was such a weird choice.

>> It, hurts, so, much.

>> She's, on, the, cusp, of, crying.

And Daniel's just like, "Oh, yeah."

I bet the thought he's running is, "It's so adorable that you feel self-conscious. I know that you're

self-conscious. I know that you're extremely talented, but it just doesn't really like work." I really wanted her

breakdown to have a bigger impact on him. And so I think while he's very

him. And so I think while he's very grounded, we're not necessarily seeing her affect him as much as we need to.

She does a great job of doing it in a way that feels distinct to her. She's

allowing contradicting things to be true at the exact same time, which adds depth into her work. Before I break down Oscar winner Emma Stone's performance in the

original, movie, La, La Land,, how, would, you like to actually work more in depth with myself? Well, in that case, you might

myself? Well, in that case, you might love our acting lab, a online acting community designed to equip actors with all of the tools that they need to get

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industry. And right now, during the last quarter of 2025, we're hosting a special season of Madness, giving all of our students the opportunity to not only

meet top-notch industry experts in their field, but also perform in front of them. We're talking people like

them. We're talking people like directors, casting directors, agents professional actors, and more. We host

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So, if you want more details, click either the link in the description or pinned comment or scan that QR code right up there. Now, let's watch two icons.

>> Why, did, you, come, here?

>> Because, I, have, good, news.

What?

>> Amy, Brandt,, the, casting, director, >> she, was, at, your, play, and, she, loved, it.

And she loved it so much.

>> I, love, how, in, Emma's, eyes,, you, can, tell she's on the edge of her seat waiting for what he's going to say next. She is

so invested as soon as she hears the name of this casting director, which highlights how important this casting director specifically is, which is not something Amber did. Amber showed how

important acting was to her, but we didn't see this specific casting director have an impact on her.

>> You, to, come, in, tomorrow, and, audition, for this huge movie that she's got.

>> Ryan, Gosling, is, so, clearly, excited, for her. The stakes are so clear for him in

her. The stakes are so clear for him in a way that they weren't for Daniel. They

also weren't very clear for Cen. They

were clear for Kyle, but this actually feels real.

>> I'm, not, going, to, that.

I'm not going to that. That one's going to be No, that one's going to be >> I'm, sorry.

>> With, Amber,, she, did, a, great, job, of masking up and having this smile throughout the whole time. But what I will say is, as I'm watching this scene live, and I see that Emma refuses to

smile. She's not really giving that

smile. She's not really giving that mask. It makes the history that these

mask. It makes the history that these two have feel a lot more clear because she doesn't feel like she needs to hide how she actually feels from him.

>> That, will, kill, me.

What? What? What? Shh. Stop. Mouse. Shh.

>> You, have, to, be, quiet.

>> If, you, want, me,, then, you, have, to, make sense. If you want me to be quiet, you

sense. If you want me to be quiet, you have to make some goddamn >> I, love, this., This, actually, incorporates the environment. I would have never

the environment. I would have never thought any of them were in a public space at all with the way that the scene was done. And I love this incorporation

was done. And I love this incorporation of quiet the [ __ ] down. You are yelling way too loud. I wonder if it was like that in the script or if Ryan Gosling

actually started screaming and Emma in character realized you are going way too loud. This is a residential neighborhood

loud. This is a residential neighborhood in the middle of the night. It adds

another thing at stake of I do not want to now get the neighbors called. inense.

You tell me why you're call because because I've been to a million auditions and the same thing happens every time where I get interrupted because someone wants to get a sandwich or I'm crying and they start laughing or there's

people sitting in the >> not, only, are, her, opinions, of, each, of these moments clear. You can actually see her reliving it. This also feels like I am saying this to shut you up.

all of our other actors. It was more of this internalized struggle that didn't necessarily involve the actor across from them versus both of them are so clearly playing off of what each other

is giving and they're saying their lines with the intent of changing the person across from them >> and, they're, and, they're, like, me, but prettier and better at the because maybe I'm not good enough.

>> Yes,, you, are.

>> No.

>> No., Maybe, I'm, not.

>> Yes,, you, are.

>> Maybe, I'm, not.

>> You, are.

>> Maybe, I'm, not., if, you, are.

>> I, love, that, they, have, the, actual, back and forth and Ryan isn't allowing her to just go with her first delivery because he can tell she's like putting up her mask. It's the same mask that Amber has

mask. It's the same mask that Amber has but we're not seeing Emma put up a mask the entire scene. We see her put the mask on when we get to the actual vulnerable part. And that's what makes

vulnerable part. And that's what makes this part feel especially vulnerable because we've seen, oh, she's totally fine being open and honest about everything except the reality that she's

not good enough. And if that repetition wasn't in the script, then that's 100% Ryan pushing her buttons, knowing it will get the response that she'll be

thankful for him pushing to get. We're

seeing that contrast in eye contact now as well where she goes from looking at him straight on if I need to get you to understand where I'm coming from to now that she's in the crunchy vulnerable

part. It's like she can't look at him.

part. It's like she can't look at him.

She avoids looking at him like the plague.

>> Maybe, I'm, one, of, those, people, that, has always wanted to do it, but it's like a pipe dream for me, you know? And then

you you said it, you you change your dreams and then you grow up. Maybe I'm

one of those people and I'm not supposed to and I can go back to school and I can find something else that I'm supposed to do cuz I left to do that and it's been 6

years and I don't want to do it anymore.

>> I, love, that, it, does, feel, like, she's, come to terms with this, which shows that like not every scene needs to be black and white. I think that this also goes

and white. I think that this also goes to show why it's important to treat objectives like compasses where they give you an idea of where you're starting, but too many actors are so tied to during this scene, my objective

is the only thing that matters instead of allowing the objective to change and adapt as the scene unfolds based off of what is happening. And that's what this feels like. It feels like there are so

feels like. It feels like there are so many of these moments that aren't written in the script, but both Ryan and Emma are adapting based off of what is externally happening that they might not

have planned. And those are the moments

have planned. And those are the moments that make this scene feel so kinetic.

>> You, have, an, audition, tomorrow, at, 5:30.

I'll be out front at 8:00 a.m.

>> You'll, be, out, front, or, not?, I, don't know.

>> How, did, you, find, me, here?

>> The, house, in, front, of, the, library.

[Music] Ryan has so much charm that I don't think Kyle and Daniel were necessarily able to capture. Part of that's the Ryan

effect. Other part of that is just he's

effect. Other part of that is just he's grounded in the scene and he just cares about Mia getting what she wants. Kyle

and Daniel were more focused on getting the performance that they wanted. That's

all acting is being present with the person across from you and letting them go on the journey with you. Remember, if

you want to learn from me just like these students are, then you can join the acting lab link is either in the description or pinned comment. These are

the deadlines for each month if you would like to participate in our special season of madness. And if you would like to see me break down my acting or you

criticize everybody, where's your work?

Well, I criticize myself in this video where I break down my Stranger Things scenes with fellow Stranger Things actor

Logan Riley Bruner.

[Music]