tavis: tonight a conversation with hillary swank. she is one of the most sought after actors occurred generation. in her late this project, and she embarks on a quest. we are glad he had joined us, hilary swank. >> his name is james. he needs extra help with his reading. >> you help us all live a

better. >> nationwide insurance a porous tavis s -- support travis smiley. nationwide is on your side bur. thank you. [captioning made possible by kcet public television] tavis: police to have hilary swank. she has a successful string of movies including her winning role in "boys don't cry" and "million dollar baby".

her latest movie is called "conviction." >> wi-fi needed the steve bge -- i finally took the stupid ged test. or all applies to moscow. -- or i can apply to law school. you have to promise me that you never tried to kill yourself ever again. please. don't. tavis: 5 with saying that last night for the 18th time in the last two weeks, i was watching

"amelia." i was thinking that you seem to be drawn to to stories. what is that about? >> you are right about that. it is hard to find really original, compelling works of fiction for women especially. i find these true life stories about these women are some of the most compelling stories. the truth is stranger than fiction "conviction" -- and you would say that when never happen. >> it is based upon this. >> i find it to blow my mind and

i read the script in to find out this really happened. that happened to them in real life? walking in their shoes and under standing it has been a that a person. it has been extraordinary for me. tavis: you mentioned inspiring. does the character that you play -- do they have to be strong personalities? yardy opened a plane someone that is that in texas? -- are you open to playing someone that is the antithesis? >> i mean that as embrace it.

-- as in brave. they have extraordinary experience. i find people like that to really move me. you read about them in the paper. that is why i am an actor. i love people and their stories. i find a compelling. tavis: i am trying to get a sense of whether or not you feel some conviction, something that compels you an inclusion into wanting to portray on the screen for the rest of us to see women who are brave. >> i did not set out to do that. i did not start my career wanting to find these real-life stories and tell the specific types of stories.

these are the stories that i am drawn to preve. hopefully, i will do lots of different types of things. i have to say that something happens when i read them. i am nude from a very deep part of my soul -- i am moved from a very part of my soul by these women. i learn a lot about myself and to i want to become and where i want to grow and where i need to grow. >> you mentioned you expect they will play many more characters. let me ask you a question to be on the record. 20 years from now, i will check back in. he mentioned as you have looked at the trajectory of your

career, what do you make of this trajectory, this journey so far? >> i am really grateful. i will look back and i look at all the opportunities that i have had to work really hard and really challenge myself. i like to do things that scare me. i like to do things they do not know if i will be able to do. i need the help of people around me. i love collaboration. and look at some of my work and stay, that is where i can be better. i want to continue to grow. i want to work with filmmakers that will help me go deeper. >> is there a particular role that has scared to more than the others?

which particular character has scared to the most? >> it is hard to just use one that would scare me the most. they all have their challenges. with "boys don't cry", if i did not pass as a boy, it will not work. this was someone's life. with that he can -- betty anne, still is living on the earth today. if i did not justice, i would not be able to live with myself. it puts an extra into the process. tavis: it is another thing to be on the set. is that intimidating? >> it can be.

see is the nicest person i have ever met. for not being in the business, she understood the making of the film extraordinarily whell. i do not want to meet her right away because they did not want to mimic her. i wanted to get herself from the heart. i wanted to transform that from being just doing the accent. after getting to know her, it is a blessing to have her on said. she is helping us answer questions and getting to the heart of the story. tavis: you mentioned that she is the most non and sentimental person you have met. i'd seen this film twice -- non- judgmental person you have met. i have seen this film twice. what struck me the second time

that i did not focus in at first was the bond between the two of them. it stands out, but she never flinched. she never thought there is any possibility of the and the fact that her brother was innocent. she never considered any other option. tell me about the bond. >> to me that is everything. this movie is an incredible love story between a brother and a sister. this was made up from raising each other. they were born a year a part. they were each other's everything. they were there for each other in everything. the reason why she was doing this was because her brother

believed in her. she says she'd never thought she could do this, because her brother believed in me and vice versa, it gave for the wherewithal to find whatever resource she did gatt. thankfully, am and i had instant chemistry. that is something you have to build and work on. toomey that is the meat of the story. i have an enormous amount of respect for him. we have similar ways of working. it was like being in the sandbox together. when our director with a cut, we would plot without -- pop back down. tavis: have you worked with him before? >> it now. -- no.

tavis: if it does not work, the movie is a flop. if you have to believe in the bond between the bread in sister. how did you know it could work other than the fact that he is a great actor? >> you do not. that is just the part of the magic and making movies. it is part of what makes it scary, too. clint eastwood has a great saying, [unintelligible] making a movie is your only as good as your weakest link. when everyone is working at their best and it comes to get there, it is extraordinary. you do not know when these things will work. >> i think everyone of us want

to be exposed to have the opportunity to work with a master. you want to get access to the masters in the field to learn to grow and be empowered. when he threw out the name clint eastwood, tell me what you get out of operating in a space with a guy like clint eastwood? >> i have this -- he is a very special person with a special place in my heart. he has been an enormous gift to me. he is also now a great friend of mine. he has given me wonderful advice. he does the music comedy directing, the acting, but also as a person. he has experience that in life. working with them will probably

remain the highlight of my career. i was 29 when i did "million dollar baby" tavis: i in a movie buff. when my favorite film is " barack's news." what do you do when your life exceeds your dreams? you grew up in a trailer park. i grew up in a trailer park burda every day, i mean grateful for the opportunity to do what i do given where i started. what do you do when you are like exceed your dreams? how you process now from there to here.

>> i will not change for anything, because i think it has made me who i am today. i am so grateful for all that i have in my life. i have an incredible work ethic that my parents had given me because of where we came from. my mom said, you can do anything in life as long issue work hard enough. the desire to get out but the desire to do something bigger than myself and be a part of telling stories. essentially, i wanted to become an actor preve. i saw these movies and stories about outsiders. i thought i could connect.

it made me see bigger. i have had fans come up to me and say i saw that movie and it made me feel that i wanted more. it is a powerful and moving thing. that is not white and became an actor, but i am realizing my past has formed to i am now. tavis: is there anything else that you think you could have done or could do that will be a asaph billing as being an actor? is this -- as the killing as an actor? is this your calling? >> this is my calling in purses. -- and purpose. every day i get to live my dream. i am so grateful. i wake up so full of life in feeling full of joy when i get

to go to a set. i cannot imagine not having that. what a gift it has been in my life. tavis: what about your mom? there is a wonderful bond. your mother was with you at these she brought you to los angeles. tell me about your relationship. >> it just reminds me of my mother and his role of corridors. we lived out of a car for a while. sheila cole call agents, saying you have to meet my daughter. her belief in me and what an enormous gift that is, she is my number one fan. my mom also did not follow her dream. i do not think she wanted to see that happen to me.

she instilled all of those things in me because of that preve. it is a blessing. she lives out here. she is a part of my life. tavis: i would imagine so. i suspect there will be more acting and producing. tammy why that is important? he mentioned -- you mentioned there is a thin amount of fiction roles. there are more meat in these non-fiction roles. as a producer, you have some say so. >> i have produced a lot of the films that i am in. i wanted them to make the screen. i believe in them with every part of me. i wanted to see them be told

there are so many stories. it is wonderful to be a part of that creative process all the way to the end. as an actor you come in and collaborate in the new are done -- and then you are dumb. as a producer, you are able to hand pick of the talent you want to be surrounded with. you are only as good as your weakest link. it is a new and exciting part of the business.

it is a creative process that i find. tavis: you have a long way to go with his career. >> knock on wood. tavis: it seems to me that -- whether or not there is a certain level of pressure that you feel from yourself or that outsiders put on you when you two of the statues are ready? is there a pressure now to repeat that by trying to find a script that can pick you that -- put you back in that area? what if there is not a buzz? how the process that? >> that is a fantastic question .or them afte "boys don't cry" actor -- after

"boys don't cry" you think, where you go from here? it was a very socially conscious movie. it said a lot. this happened. but putting a lot of pressure on myself. i did not want to let people down. we have to give back to why the war in it. it was not ever to win an award. believe me, it is incredible to have these -- to be acknowledged in that way. it is not what you were doing it.

if you get back in to why you are doing it, it is all slipping away. tavis: howdy make your career choices? >> with my heart. you are not always hit the bull's-eye. i will make movies that work in those do not work. i think if you are taking risks and you are pushing yourself, you will fall on your face and it will not always wear. it will either work or it does not. i am a risk taker. i do not want to play it safe. tavis: it is never not gone to

work because you did not give it anything you had. indeed to all this and it does not do, how do you did it? >> i am fine talking about it. people were talking about that moving winning academy awards even before we started filming. that could be a good example of feeling of pressure. we did not work any less hard on that movie. it is not always hit the stride. that is what is different and

exciting. it keeps you humble. tavis: i love it. i will go home tonight and what it again. the new one is called "conviction." there is more oscar buzz on this project. it is always fit to have you. >> thank you. i enjoy tavis: the show. >> i will go back home, find a use trailer and a deep fryer. it is the only thing i ever felt good doing. i am too old for this. i've got nothing. >> is this your speed bag? >> yes.

>> i will show you a few things. >> your any position to negotiate? >> if you train the right, i will be champion. i see you looking at me. >> out of pity. >> do not say that if it is not true. i want a trainer. and do not want charity and i do not want favors. tavis: for more information on today's show, a visit travis' mightily at pbs.org. tavis: dominicks time with legendary -- join me next time legendary producer. >> his name is james. he needs extra help with his reading. >> yes. >> you help us all live better.

>> nationwide support status smiley. where proud to joint have a smiley and improving literacy. >> and by contributions to your station from viewers like you. >> thank you. station from viewers like you. >> thank you.