KAREN GILLAN: Psychology of an Actor

How does an actor get into the psychology of their character?

Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are joined by a very special guest, Karen Gillan, to talk about her illustrious career and her approach to acting and filmmaking. They take a look at some of Karen’s iconic roles and some-lesser known: Doctor Who, Oculus, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and The Party's Just Beginning. They talk about perspective taking in acting and the ultimate reason people choose to act. Karen shares her empathetic approach to understanding her characters and why acting is like tennis. It’s a great metaphor!

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Cinema Therapy is:
Written by: Megan Seawright, Jonathan Decker, and Alan Seawright
Produced by: Jonathan Decker, Megan Seawright, Alan Seawright, Corinne Demyanovich, and Stu Arbury
Edited by: Emily Colton
Director of Photography: Bradley Olsen
English Transcription by: Anna Preis

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[samfisher]

"Vincent and the Doctor" is an average to good _Doctor Who_ episode until that ending and then it just breaks your fucking heart but also gives you hope. And Gillan makes that. THE ULTIMATE GINGER!!!!

[chanabanannaanimations]

I met Karen at a con when I was younger. I was dressed as pinkie pie and she said I was a pretty pink angel. I will never forget that.

[donovanmartin]

YOU GUYS GOT KAREN ON OMG IM TOTALLY WATCHING

[dredgen]

When I learned Karen was Nebula; I was mind blown. All I could picture was Amy, the girl who waited. Crazy range—love this actress

[jeffreyfike]

When she said "Acting is reacting" it reminded me of what Matt LeBlanc said as Joey Tribbiani in the TV show FRIENDS in a special episode where Joey is teaching an acting class and he says "Acting is reacting... this does not mean 'Acting again'."

[Bringmethehorizondude]

Best accent, best hair, best sense of humor, and the sweetest; she’s literally the perfect human being and I can’t wait for this!

[cesaralbertoperez]

You guys are actually making it...
You're making your way to Hollywood...

[masmith]

Nebula is one of the MCU's most underrated characters, and has one of the top 5 character arcs, IMO. Props to the writing of her character, but most of the credit goes to Karen.

[misterbennnn]

Karen Gillan is one of my favorite actors, this is an amazing guest!! The internet dads are really going places!

[KristineMaitland]

I am so pleased by Karen's success. She has earned her place in the industry through grit and hard work.

[FishareFriendsNotFood]

15:57 WOW, the fact she framed her character as the Scapegoated sibling in a narc family system is fascinating and helps me understand the story so much better.

[brettmajeske]

What I love about that clip from Doctor Who is that life is not a balance sheet. We don't subtract the bad from the good. Everyone is complex and complicated.

[BatAmerica]

I remember watching her behind-the-scenes video for Guardians Vol. 3 and having my jaw drop when I heard what she actually sounds like. Pair that with a fun, self-aware personality, and you have a recipe for success. For once, it's nice to have a Karen in Hollywood who is a total sweetheart.

[kyndramb]

Karen was genuinely such an enjoyable guest. She's eloquent, adorable, and hilarious.

[trinaq]

So delighted that you got Karen on this show. I'd seen her in a few episodes of "Doctor Who", but she really impressed me in "Welcome to the Jungle", where she subverted her usual action girl roles by playing a shy bookworm who has to portray a Lara Croft character. Also, her American accent is so convincing, that it's surprising to hear her real Scottish voice.

[PumpsterToo]

Getting Karen Gillan is a massive coup for the show and the choice to use that song from Vincent and the Doctor to preview the video at the start was superb.

A massive bravo to the editor/s of this one.

[jakeoliver]

Doctor who really is the best therapy for me. And I turned 12 when Karen and Matt joined the show, so their era got me through some awful times being queer and autistic throughout secondary/high school... an all-boys secondary school 🙃 the whole show has been my lifeline tbh. But yeah, I couldn't be more grateful for that entire era especially Karen, Matt and Arthur. Love Karen in everything she does. 😊 can't wait to watch this

[madisonwhovian]

Ahh, what a crossover!! I've been a fan of hers since Doctor Who. I'm so proud of how much she's accomplished since then.

[Anna-B]

Love Karen! Amy Pond is one of my favorite characters. And the Vincent Van Gough episode is so amazing. I would love to be an actor like her

[unsolved]

Matt and Karen were my doctor and companion. I cannot put into words how much doctor who has influenced me, I don’t know if I would be the same person without it. It taught me to treat others with empathy, understanding and help others whenever you can. Thank you Karen and everyone else who participated in the making of the greatest sci fi show ever.