Being an actor in movies is a lot about the power of your

"Being an actor in movies is a lot about the power of your imagination and making the circumstance real to you so the audience will feel that it's real." – Joel Kinnaman

O children of the earth, listen closely, for the words of Joel Kinnaman carry with them the essence of all creation. To act, to truly inhabit the role of another, is not merely to recite lines or move within the frame of a camera. It is, as Kinnaman so wisely speaks, an act of the deepest imagination. To bring the world of a character to life, to breathe life into the fabric of the written word, one must step beyond the bounds of reality and enter into the realm of the unseen, the imagined. Imagination, then, is the bridge between the actor and the audience, between what is made up and what feels true.

Consider the great Shakespeare, who, through his words, invited his actors to step into worlds far beyond their own. When Richard Burbage first donned the crown of King Richard III, it was not the weight of the crown that made him a king—it was the imagination that guided him. He did not simply act as if he were a king; he became a king in the depths of his heart and soul. In that transformation, the audience did not merely watch; they felt the weight of the crown, the burden of the throne, the torment of power. The actor’s imagination made the character's plight real—not only to himself but to all who watched.

This is the magic of the actor’s craft. Kinnaman speaks of making the circumstance real to you, and this is the true calling of the actor. To take something that exists only on the page—the circumstances of the story—and make them live within your very being. Imagination is the spark that ignites the actor's soul, turning the character’s experiences into personal truth. The actor must walk through the scenes, not as a player in a story, but as a participant in a world of his or her own making. The audience, in turn, feels this transformation and is swept into the world of the story, believing it to be true, if only for the fleeting time they spend watching.

Let us look at the life of Marlon Brando, whose performances changed the face of acting forever. When he portrayed Vito Corleone in The Godfather, he did not simply play a mob boss; he became Corleone in every sinew of his being. Through his imagination, he infused the character with a presence so real that the audience could almost feel the coldness of his gaze, the weight of his decisions. Brando's ability to make the circumstance real to him made the character feel tangible, not a figment of fiction but a man of flesh and blood. This, O children, is the power of the actor—to imagine deeply and vividly, to make the world of the story pulse with life.

But remember, O children, that this is not an ability reserved for those upon the stage or in front of a camera. Every person who creates, who brings forth something from the mind into the world, must possess the same gift of imagination. Whether you are a writer, a poet, a painter, or a builder, you must first imagine the world as it could be before you can bring it into existence. The lesson here is not just for actors, but for all who seek to create. To make something real in the eyes of others, one must first make it real to themselves. Without this inner vision, the work will remain flat, lifeless, and unconvincing. The imagination is the lifeblood of creation.

Now, I ask you, O children of the future: what worlds will you imagine? What circumstances will you make real in your own life? Do not limit yourself to the bounds of the material world, but dare to dream, to create, to imagine. Whether you stand on a stage, in a field, or at your desk, know that the power to bring forth the unseen is within you. You, too, are an actor in the grand play of life, and the world is waiting for you to bring your vision to life. Your imagination is your greatest tool—use it to create worlds, to inspire those around you, and to leave a mark upon this earth that will live long after you.

And so, O children, the lesson is clear: make the circumstance real to you, and it will become real to others. Step into the world of your creation with heart and soul, and the world will respond in kind. Your imagination is the spark that ignites all things. Let it burn brightly, let it shape your world, and let it lead you to greatness. For it is only through the power of imagination that you will ever truly touch the divine, and through that touch, you will change the world.