MasterClass: Dustin Hoffman Teaches Acting

Dustin's approach to acting is unique. In this lesson, he reveals the principles of his method and how to start implementing it.

Dustin has had famous on-screen chemistry with the likes of Robert Redford, Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep. Watch as he teaches two strangers to build an instant bond on set, and then asks you to try the same Jerry Maguire scene with a fellow student.

Relating to your character is crucial to a great performance. Dustin teaches you how to read through the lines to add emotion and depth to your role.

Every good actor gets nervous, even Dustin. Vulnerability is key to bringing depth to a performance. Here's how to use your fears to get deeper into character.

Uncover and access the deepest layers of your personality so you can stop pretending and start being your character.

Dustin is his own harshest critic, even when the director is happy and the audience loves him. Learn how he finds ways to question, critique and improve his performance.

Dustin learned from the most prominent acting teachers of his day, including Lee Strasberg -- hear the tips and stories that stuck with him.

Whether he’s studying women’s vocal patterns or sneaking into San Quentin prison—Dustin conducts detailed research to create memorable and believable characters.

The essence of Raymond Babbit came from an accidental vocal tick; Benjamin Braddock grew from Dustin's childhood memories. There's no one way to bring a new character to life, but these are some of the ways that have worked for Dustin.

Memorizing your lines is just the first step. Here's how Dustin approaches a new script to bring life to words on a page.

You can't always plan for the laugh. Dustin explains how to develop your comic instincts and use everyday life as your comedic inspiration.

When you leave the script behind and make things up as you go, the results can be inspiring, fun, or sometimes flat-out embarrassing. You have to be willing to fail to triumph as an actor.

For a play, you rehearse for weeks. On a film set, you might get ten minutes. As an actor who trained for the stage, Dustin shares how he changed his approach to the craft for the camera.

From college dropout to Oscar-winning actor, learn a little bit more about your teacher.

Learning to look beyond the script to what's not being said, and using that powerful subtext to reveal parts of yourself, is the essence of Dustin's approach to acting. Dustin applies this lesson to a scene from Good Will Hunting.

If the audience isn't seeing your secrets, you're doing it wrong. Pushing yourself to admit and accept your most painful and uncomfortable truths will help bring depth and honesty to the characters you play. See how brave you can learn to be.

Nobody's perfect - and audiences will love you for it. Watch a scene from Good Will Hunting come to life when Dustin directs two actors to draw upon their own insecurities.

Learn how to craft a timeless, relatable character that audiences will fall in love with.

Dustin never lets a script hold him back from giving what he believes is the right performance. Here's how to stay true to yourself without getting fired.

Get Dustin's insider tips on how to keep an open, creative environment on set, respect your fellow actors, and most importantly—relax.

Dustin has spent his career defying "leading man" stereotypes. Here's how to take the right risks to set yourself apart from the crowd and handle the rejection all actors face.

After painful rejections, how do you stop the candle inside you from burning out? Dustin sheds light on the difficult decisions involved in making acting your living.

It can be harder than you think to tell the difference between an accident and a stroke of genius. The most iconic scene in Midnight Cowboy was an on-set accident. Make every mistake an opportunity.

Dustin closes his MasterClass with one lesson he wants every actor to remember.