Even a small note from a director can transform an actor’s performance. Elizabeth Banks and Elle Fanning recently reflected on the feedback that has stayed with them throughout their careers, sharing how the right instructions can make all the difference on set.

In an interview for PEOPLE, the two actresses took turns asking each other about the most memorable direction they have received, from simple adjustments that immediately clicked to advice that helped them connect more deeply with their characters.

Fanning, 28, recalled filming an unspecified emotional scene when a director suggested that she make an unusual facial expression. The unexpected instruction helped her better understand the character’s feelings in that moment.

When it comes to direction, Fanning said she appreciates straightforward, actionable notes. She prefers being told to move faster or slower, or to make a performance angrier or sadder. Even a direct instruction to cry can be useful, she explained, because it gives her something concrete to work with rather than leaving her overthinking the scene.

Banks, 52, agreed with her costar’s approach, adding that asking an actor to move faster is almost always the right call.

One particularly memorable piece of advice came from filmmaker Kevin Smith while Banks was shooting the 2008 comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno alongside Seth Rogen.

Banks recalled filming a wide shot of herself and Rogen from behind when Smith approached her with a simple instruction: raise her arm on a particular word in her line.

At first, the direction seemed like a small physical adjustment. Looking back, however, Banks realized Smith was encouraging her to embody the moment instead of getting caught up in her head.

She also came to understand the practical value of the note from a filmmaker’s perspective. Movement within a wide shot can make the composition more visually engaging, giving the director more to work with. What initially seemed like a minor gesture ultimately became a valuable lesson in both acting and filmmaking.

Banks said her own experiences directing projects such as Pitch Perfect 2 and Charlie’s Angels have made her a better actor. Taking charge behind the camera, she explained, requires an extensive range of skills and takes a great deal out of her. That experience has also given her a deeper appreciation for the challenges directors face when communicating what they want from performers.

The conversation carries an added connection because Banks and Fanning have portrayed the same character, Effie Trinket, despite not yet working together onscreen.

Banks first played the flamboyant Capitol representative in the original Hunger Games film series, beginning with the 2012 adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ novel. Fanning now takes over the role in the upcoming prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

After seeing Fanning’s interpretation of a younger Effie, Banks offered her approval, praising the performance and saying she had captured the character beautifully. She described Fanning’s arrival onscreen as a breath of fresh air.

Directed by Francis Lawrence, the new film stars Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, with Fanning appearing as Effie Trinket. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 20, 2026.

For both actresses, their conversation highlighted how meaningful direction does not always require a lengthy explanation. Sometimes, a single clear instruction can unlock a performance, while a seemingly simple movement can leave an actor with a lesson that lasts for years.

Source: Compiled from various sources.