Hailee Steinfeld’s Child-Star Experience with Jeff Bridges: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
Hailee Steinfeld started her acting career by playing a small role in the TV series ‘Back to You’ at the age of 11. However, her breakthrough role came in 2010 with the Coen brothers’ film, ‘True Grit,’ which earned her a best-supporting-actress Oscar nomination at the age of 14. She became the third-youngest nominee in that category’s history, and her performance in the film was praised for its maturity and authenticity.
In a recent interview with People, Steinfeld shared her experience of working on the film with Jeff Bridges, who became her mentor and friend during the shoot. She recalled the advice given to her by people at that time who told her: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Take it all in”. Steinfeld explains that while she remembers everything clearly, she only now realizes what people meant by that. She adds that it was a unique experience for her and that everything about it was rare, including the places she got to go, the people she worked with, and the timing of it all.
A Fulfilling and Unique Experience
Steinfeld’s child-star experience was not just unique but also fulfilling. According to her, it was a rare opportunity to work with Jeff Bridges, who had a major influence on her both personally and professionally. Steinfeld says that Bridges was always full of energy and had fun with what he did, despite the seriousness of the circumstances.
She further explains how Bridges would keep her at ease and comfortable in between takes by playing a game called ‘Pass the Pigs’. Despite the seriousness of some scenes and the complexity of dialogue, Bridges made the environment light and enjoyable.
A Typical Teen’s Experience Despite the Hectic Schedule
Despite her hectic schedule of shooting, Steinfeld also had a chance to experience some typical teenage milestones. She filmed a homecoming scene in ‘Barely Lethal’ and joined a sorority in the ‘Pitch Perfect’ franchise. Furthermore, the movie ‘The Edge of Seventeen’ allowed Steinfeld to let go of a little bit of teen angst that she didn’t know she had.
However, Steinfeld also admits that there were times when she felt like she was missing out. She cites moments when her friends would send her pictures of winter formals and proms and homecomings as an example. But these moments were few and far between, as her focus was on her acting career.
Philosophical Discussion and Advice
Child-star experiences have often been criticized for taking away the childhood of young actors. However, Steinfeld’s experience shows that it is possible to have a fulfilling and unique experience as a child actor without sacrificing typical teenage milestones. Furthermore, having a mentor like Jeff Bridges who created a light and enjoyable environment on sets can make a young actor’s experience less stressful and more enjoyable.
What sets Steinfeld’s child-star experience apart from others is her ability to take it all in. Despite her age, Steinfeld was mature enough to understand the importance of her experience and cherish it. Her experience also highlights the importance of mentorship in the entertainment industry, especially for young actors.
Lastly, young actors need to be prepared to face the challenges posed by their success. It is essential to find a balance between a busy work schedule and maintaining a social life.
Conclusion
Hailee Steinfeld’s child-star experience is unique and inspiring. Her experience highlights the importance of mentorship and of taking it all in for young actors. It is possible to have a fulfilling experience as a child actor and enjoy typical teenage milestones, with the right mentorship and preparation. Hailee Steinfeld’s story is a perfect example of how success can be fulfilling at any age if we take it in the right spirit.
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