Daemon’s TV: Exclusive Interview: Hilarie Burton (WHITE COLLAR)

Can you talk about the difference between starring in a network show like ‘One Tree Hill’ and then a cable show like ‘White Collar’?

Hilarie Burton: In my experience so far I think there’s just a lot more freedom on ‘White Collar’. ‘One Tree Hill’ was always on the bubble. It was always under the microscope. It was always, like, ‘Are we going to pick this show up? Are we not going to pick this show up?’ So as a show we kind of had to cater to the powers that be to try to make them happy in an attempt to try and get picked up. So there’s a lot of nervousness on that show because we never knew what our future was. ‘White Collar’ has been such a supported show on USA and I think that Jeff Eastin is so well respected that they trust his vision. So even when we’re on set and one of the actors has an idea or wants to change a line or wants to experiment with something it’s not a big deal. It’s like, ‘Oh, yeah. That sounds neat. Let’s try it.’ That freedom and liberty to be creative and express yourself, that’s what makes the day fun. That’s what makes acting fun, that journey that you take. So the first day on the set I was nervous to make suggestions and then by the time that I was done it was like, ‘Can we try this,’ and everyone was on board. It’s just that open line of communication really makes the difference in how the day goes and makes you feel good when you go home.

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