My new movieScope camera acting column features--

Selma Blair, with three very different current films in the mix, including the megahit Hellboy II as well as an upcoming NBC comedy series Kath and Kim, is so disarmingly honest about what she sees as her shortcomings, I found myself encouraging her to give her psyche a break.

Blair says she never thought she would have a camera - film or TV - career because, "I thought I wasn't attractive enough." I assured her in my own, inimitable way, "Really? You are definitely not chopped liver!"

Said she: "I have my moments."

Right. Well, take a look at her photo and I ask you -- what's not gorgeous?

When you read the column, you'll understand why so many good directors and actors love to work with her on such a variety of commercial, independent and television projects.

Kath and Kim is the American version of the hilarious, extremely popular Australian TV series of the same name, based on the dysfunctional relationship between a mother and daughter. Selma portrays Kim, the daughter, whose self-image is inflated to the point of absurdity -- *completely* opposite of the actress herself.

Two gritty, visceral films she recently worked on are examples of her extraordinary range: Lori Petty's The Poker House and Tom Shankland's WΔZ (pronounced: W Delta Zed) are stories of extremely damaged characters -- Selma says she feels more comfortable portraying flawed characters than "normal" people.

"I usually fall flat," she says about her turn at acting roles of "regular folks."

See what I mean?

Anyway, to pimp the movieScope column, I'll just say that she *does* give herself credit for giving good performances as she works with and learns from great directors and superb actors.

But not much.

Wow! What luck!

My next movieScope magazine interview - which I get to do next week - is with one of the world's most brilliant, special, beautiful and wickedly talented actresses, Samantha Morton.

The British Oscar-nominated thespian's credits are legion since she started as a child actor; her work is considered the finest and audiences show up to see anything she's in on the big and little screen.

My best mate in Manchester, England, a TV critic, says he will show up at any theater or watch the telly any time of the day or night she can be seen.

Most recently she lit up television sets all over the UK and on HBO in the US with her memorable performance as Myra Hyndley in the feature length film Longford.

She has a number of upcoming films to be released, including Expired, Control, The Golden Age - she plays Mary Queen of Scots, Mister Lonely - in which she plays Marilyn Monroe, and Synecdoche, New York. I wonder what she's done in her "spare" time?

All but Synecdoche, New York are scheduled for release this year, which means that she should have at least a couple roles that would attract Oscar buzz.

Not a stitch of "Hollywood" about her - Samantha Morton's all about being a real person who just happens to blow everyone away who sees her perform on the big or little screen, and is obviously a great actor with whom to work. And she's worked with - and continues to work with - the best.

I've got to come up with some spectacular questions, since she is all about the art and craft, the joy of doing what she loves, living a down to earth life with friends and family and enjoying every moment of it!

My Alec Baldwin interview online!

movieScope magazine has posted my interview with AB on its website.

If you subscribe to the magazine, you know all my interviews involve only the craft of acting, and primarily for the camera.

If you're an actor, you'll get some great tips. AB's notions of techniques and suggestions to enhance your performances are completely in line with what I teach and coach, so of course I think he's tops!

If you'd like to read it, click here.

New movieScope magazine is out!

Great international filmmaking information empowering writers, directors, producers and actors!

My "acting for the camera" column for the new edition is all about finding your artistic voice. One of the best examples of someone who has found her voice and because of that successfully loses herself in her characters when she acts - Charlize Theron.