Christopher Walken reminds actors of something they may forget as they get older. The work began as a game. It began with imagination, pretending, curiosity, and the joy of slipping into a role simply because it felt good. Creativity research shows that play states increase neural flexibility, reduce self-censorship, and activate the same networks responsible for spontaneity on camera. When actors feel stuck, rigid, or self-conscious, it is usually because the adult brain has taken over. The per