Just when everyone probably thought it was never going to happen, it suddenly does. Lindsay Lohan is back and it’s all because of Netflix. The former child star had been away from Hollywood for years, having had no successful film since the 2004 hit Mean Girls.And while she did try to stage a comeback (through Oprah Winfrey) before, it seems Lohan is more committed this time around. With a two-picture deal with the streamer, she’s also taking acting more seriously than ever before.
For Her Netflix Films, Lindsay Lohan Is Working With Acting And Life Coach Bernard Hiller
Lohan may have been acting since she was a child but it’s only recently that she’s decided to work with an acting coach.
It all happened when she met Hiller, an acting coach and life coach who has worked with the likes of Cameron Diaz, Jeff Goldblum, Evan Peters, Emma Roberts, Billy Crystal, LL Cool J, Jamie Dornan, Vanessa Hudgens, and many more.
“I first met Bernard through a mutual friend when I was actually in the U.K,” Lohan revealed. “I found him to be hilarious and very insightful and we clicked right off the bat.”
And while working with Hiller was also a completely new experience for Lohan, she also knew he is nothing like a typical Hollywood acting coach. “I don’t really see Bernard as just a coach,” she explained.
“He’s more of an advisor of skill and a mentor. He helps you see what’s not written on the page and bring those aspects of the character to life.”
Who Is Bernard Hiller?
Hiller is an acting coach to the stars who believes that success comes to actors who can “figure out who they are.”
“We all have the same issues. Being our authentic selves, brings more passion and love for the world,” he explained. “The main mission is for everyone to figure out their uniqueness. If you don’t do it, it's going to kill you.”
At the same time, Hiller is a big believer that being authentic to oneself results in the best possible performance onscreen or onstage.
“You show the world your core! The best actors I work with don’t mask or escape into the role they’re performing,” he said. “They delve into their characters and their own flaws, shortcomings, and imperfections. People connect with that. I teach my students to lean into their vulnerability, be led by their heart, and act from their instincts.”
Meanwhile, Hiller’s approach to coaching actors also goes beyond the craft itself, something that he explained extensively in his new book. “The Revolutionary Guide To Acting covers three different areas – the craft, oneself, and the business,” Hiller said.
“Other books will cover one of these, but here I cover all three. To flourish in showbusiness or any other business, you must be an expert in all these areas. It’s what makes the difference between failure and success. Success is not an accident! You have to know what you’re doing.”
Lindsay Lohan On Working With Acting Coach Bernard Hiller: ‘He Changed My Life’
For Lohan, the whole point of working with Hiller was not really to relearn acting. After all, the actress has said that acting is just “like riding a bicycle. It’s just in me. It’s a part of me. Doing films, playing a character, it brings me so much joy to be able to share a story with people. To take people on that journey with me is such a blessing.”
Instead, she’s learning to approach it differently. “Taking time with the dynamics of the story and not being afraid to really slow every moment down in a scene whenever you feel it’s necessary,” the actress explained. “Sometimes we go too quickly and forget to take my time.”
With Hiller’s help, Lohan has also been able to explore her roles more extensively.
“It’s nice to try different things and explore all possibilities of the script, not just playing what’s on the page,” the actress continued.
“When I’m playing a character and in a role, it’s important I don’t limit myself to where the character can go emotionally. Also, I’m never afraid to ad-lib.”
At the same time, Lohan has also learned to be more focused when working on her films. “I tried to avoid letting distractions on set get in the way. I’m very much to myself before and after a scene,” she said. “I like to get in my own headspace and prepare quietly on the side.”
And while Lohan and Hiller have only been working together quite recently, it seems Hiller is convinced that the actress is on the right track. More importantly, the acting coach to the stars also believes that Lohan will be here to stay. “She is strong and back in action.”
