The Hollywood Reporter recently brought together four young acting veterans for a discussion about the world of showbiz for children and teens. Kids are known for being refreshingly honest in their opinions, and these young performers were no exception. David Gallagher, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jake Lloyd and Mae Whitman sat down with the Hollywood Reporter's Noela Hueso, Randall Tierney and Malerie Willens to chat about life under the glare of Hollywood lights. [I will only be typing Mae's interview to save myself from getting carpal tunnel syndrome ;-).]

The Hollywood Reporter: How did you get started in the business?

Mae Whitman: My mom was going into a commercial audition one time and I went with her. I was three years old. I was very upset with her for going into the audition without me so I ran in there and started screaming. I got a call back for a different job because they liked the way I ran in and screamed.

THR: What is it about [commercials] that you don't like?

Whitman: My second commercial, Pop Tarts. It was terrible because they made you say things that parents usually say.

THR: What is the hardest part about being an actor?

Whitman: I always get cast in very dramatic, upsetting things, and I always have to cry. It is not hard for me to cry. If I can just get in a corner and think about it, then I'm fine. But when the crew sees me trying to get upset, they go, "It's OK, it's OK, there's nothing wrong," and they try to comfort me.

THR: If there was one thing about the business you could change, what would it be?

Whitman: People should recognize who you are and how you can act rather than how famous you are.

THR: Who are your role models?

Whitman: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Sandra Bullock. Maybe because I worked with her. I always liked Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis because she had a lot of bad experiences in her life and she pulled through just fine.

THR: How do you prepare for tough, emotional scenes?

Whitman: I always try to put myself in the other character's shoes. In "Hope Floats," she's a really messed up kid. Her dad has had an affair and she and her mother move back to Texas and she hates it there. In one scene, the dad comes back to get a divorce and she wants to go with him. I had to get very emotional for that scene. I pictured my father doing something like that and I just burst into tears because I felt so bad for her.

THR: What sacrifices have your parents made for you?

Whitman: When I was in Texas shooting "Hope Floats," my father was down there with me because my mom was in L.A. working. It was my birthday and my mom wanted to be there for me so she flew in the morning, celebrated my birthday, stayed overnight and then went back to L.A. My dad, too... they go back and forth and they always try to be there for me when I need them. Sometimes they sacrifice their jobs if I need them there. I am thankful for that.

THR: Let's talk about school a little bit.

Whitman: My teachers are very, very helpful. All the teachers I have support me.

THR: Do you go to a public school?

Whitman: No. I go to a private school. My teachers always give me my work for however long I'll need it. If I miss an assignment and I have to make it up later because I am on the set, they just say I can make it up by the end of the week.

THR: And are you usually on track with your assignments? Do you accomplish everything that the other kids are accomplishing?

Whitman: Yeah, and sometimes I even get ahead. That's cool because I can just sit around while they are doing their work.

THR: How long do you want to continue acting while you are going forward in school?

Whitman: I think college is very important. I think you should get a good education before you go after acting or whatever you are going to do.

THR: Do you think you will be acting after college?

Whitman: Perhaps. I might explore. I could be an actor. It all depends on how I am doing. I could get in a car accident where my whole body gets paralyzed. You can't predict the future.

THR: Is there anything about acting you think prepares you for your life later on?

Whitman: It improves your social skills.

THR: How do your friends and schoolmates relate to you, given your success?

Whitman: I have been at my school since kindergarten, and even in kindergarten my friends tortured me about my job. I had a lot of friends in kindergarten through third grade that I don't have now because they are not my real friends. They didn't really care about me, they cared about what I did for a living. I went to summer camp once. There were two older girls who tried to be my friend and then after camp ended and after I finished a movie they never talked to me again.

THR: What are some of the mistakes that directors have made when working with you?

Whitman: Most of the directors I have had are really wonderful. Some have made mistakes. They make you do things you know inside that the character would never do.

THR: Do you think directors sometimes underestimate you because of your age?

Whitman: Yes. I have had directors say "Sssshhhh," and tell me to wait a second if I offer an idea. That is really annoying. They don't listen because I am a child and they don't think I can have good ideas. They don't trust you.

THR: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to kids who are getting into this business?

Whitman: You have to be yourself. Don't go into something you would never ordinarily wear. Don't say something you would never ordinarily say.

THR: What is the greatest thing about this business?

Whitman: I love acting. I love meeting and working with new people. I love playing different parts.