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Mike Mills is a screenwriter and director, but could be considered first and foremost an actor\u2019s collaborator. Not only have his films produced some of the most naturalistic performances in recent memory, he\u2019s the kind of filmmaker who follows actors\u2019 leads, singing their praises at every step of the page-to-screen process. \u201cWhatever feels real and alive to them, that\u2019s where I\u2019m gonna go,\u201d he says in this revealing interview. He also grapples with the mysteries inherent in filmmaking: \u201cAs a director-writer person, one would think you know everything about your movie...and you don\u2019t.\u201d\n\nWith a background in visual art that transitioned to music videos, Mike is best known for his award-winning feature films \u201cThumbsuckers,\u201d \u201cBeginners,\u201d and \u201c20th Century Women.\u201d He\u2019s turned elements of his life into autobiographically inspired stories, including the newly released \u201cC\u2019mon C\u2019mon\u201d from A24, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, and Woody Norman.\n\nIn this episode, Jack is joined by Backstage senior staff writer Casey Mink to shout out recent features on other award-winning directors: https://bit.ly/3k710Cq\n---\nBackstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage\u2019s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today\u2019s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ\n\nFollow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:\n- https://www.facebook.com/backstage\n- https://www.twitter.com/backstage\n- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope\n- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast\n\nLooking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe\nBrowse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e\nCheck out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0\nBackstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5\n\nSpecial thanks to...\n- Host: Jack Smart\n- Producer: Jamie Muffett\n- Social media: Katie Minard\n- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins\n- Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis