Every time an actress is celebrated for her great work, I cheer. For the more brilliant their performance, the more the audience demands stories about women... And as we all know: a great year for women in film, is just a great year for film.

You know, it's recently come into focus for me why I want to be an actor: It's because of the connection I feel to people.

There is this immediate connection, this intimacy when you're acting because there's no room to be polite or shy. Also, as an actor I get to connect with women I've never met before.

I take great responsibility in any character that I play.

I just want to do what I feel is right in my heart.

My grandmother used to say, "Sometimes the loudest person in the room doesn't know what they're talking about." Or isn't secure enough in his or her own views to be able to listen to others.

When I first moved to Los Angeles, I don't think anyone knew what to do with me.