The story behind the performance: Contenders for lead actress discuss their roles

Lead actress contenders Amy Adams, Annette Bening, Ruth Negga, Natalie Portman and Emma Stone discuss their much-praised roles in 2016 movies.

Dec. 12, 2016 5 PM PT

Playlist

The story behind the performance: Contenders for lead actress discuss their roles

The directors of some of 2016's top films share the wonder of witnessing - and capturing - magic

To be an actor, it helps to be an adventurer

Let's talk shop: A gathering of leading contenders for 2016 supporting actor nominations

Actresses search for connection

Pablo Larraín tries to capture the mystery of Jacqueline Kennedy

What Kenneth Lonergan's actors brought to 'Manchester by the Sea'

Director Jeff Nichols talks about the 'responsibility' of telling the 'Loving' story accurately

Damien Chazelle grabbed his chance to make 'La La Land' and 'put so much into it'

'Moonlight' director Barry Jenkins sensed when to follow the script - and when to not

Matthew McConaughey works hard, looking for 'Gold'

Joel Edgerton finds the heart of 'Loving'

Casey Affleck finds the words in 'Manchester by the Sea'

Adam Driver finds the poetry in 'Paterson'

Emma Stone on discovering the joy of dance for 'La La Land'

'20th Century Women's' Annette Bening still gets butterflies when she reads a good script

Amy Adams hopes 'Arrival' can spark communication between people with opposing viewpoints

Natalie Portman on the importance of the infamous pink dress in 'Jackie'

Ruth Negga on capturing the time and place in her 'Loving' character's speaking voice

Michael Shannon on playing a 'straight shooter' in 'Nocturnal Animals'

'Moonlight' actor Mahershala Ali praises the 'multidimensional' writing of his charcter

How Jeff Bridges learned to be a Texas Ranger for 'Hell or High Water'

Dev Patel on portraying a character pulled between two cultures in 'Lion'

David Oyelowo on playing a real person in 'Queen of Katwe': 'How do you capture their essence?'

Aaron Eckhart, on being directed by Clint Eastwood

Aaron Eckhart: On the challenges of playing a real-life character

Aja Naomi King describes the moment her 'Birth of a Nation' character came alive

When 'A Monster Calls,' Felicity Jones tries to remain rooted in reality

Octavia Spencer discusses the mechanics of getting into character for 'Hidden Figures'

Octavia Spencer goes looking for 'Hidden Figures'

Michelle Williams picks up the lingo of 'Manchester by the Sea'

Nicole Kidman goes tracking the 'Lion'

Naomie Harris makes discoveries in the 'Moonlight'