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British actor and director Kenneth Branagh discusses his film My Week with Marilyn 2011 in which he plays Sir Laurence Olivier opposite Michelle Williams' character Marilyn Monroe. Branagh reflects on what it was like playing the most famous and revered actor in the world, a man of the theatre, shakespeare and movies. Branagh did a lot of research, he studied his voice, his walk and mannerisms, he even wore a prosthetic chin to look as authentic as possible. At the same time as filming A Week with Marilyn he was also directing Thor 2011 and he goes on to talk about the difference in scale, the sets, the special effects couldn't be more of a contrast, but he feels this kind of variety is incredibly stimulating, saying 'it keeps you from going stale'. His directorial debut was the film Shakespeare's Henry V 1989. Branagh had played Henry V several times on the stage and felt like he really knew how to tell the story. Ignorance was bliss though, he had no idea what he had taken on, it was however an amazing experience. Discussed next is Hamlet 1996 an epically long film version of the play, where Branagh didn't want to leave anything out, it ran to 4 hours long. He persuaded many huge stars to come on board, Jack Lemon, Charlton Heston along with his great friend Richard Briars. ''There were stars literally everywhere!''. Branagh goes on to talk in depth about Laurence Olivier, his reputation and his career, he really admired how at the end of the day, he always considered himself a 'sleeves rolled up and ready to work actor' not some kind of national treasure. Branagh reflects on both acting and directing which take a different kind of concentration but are equally stimulating, the two things co-existing in his life help bring out the best in him.

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