Natalie Portman reveals acting secrets in her new virtual masterclass

Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman has shared her top tips for budding actors in her new virtual masterclass.

The 38-year-old actress joined a host of stars offering lessons on online-education provider, Masterclass.

Natalie,  in a trailer for the programme, talked through her process and showed how she's managed to become thrice-nominated for both the Academy Awards and BAFTAs. 

The dashing actress, in the two-minute clip, urged her students to, "be free, make mistakes, try things", stressing, "this is a job about your imagination".

Discussing how she connects with her characters, she explains: "You want to make it as human as possible - what is their desire?"

She continued: "I did not go to a traditional drama school, I learnt by doing. Now I''ve pieced together some things that were helpful for me that I want to share with you."

Natalie, who gained international recognition for starring in 1999's Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, also revealed that she loves working with special effects. 

"Green screen in acting is kind of the purest form of acting, because you''re inventing both what''s outside of you, but also what''s inside of you as an actor," she added.

She also offers some of her tips by demonstrating a scene.

The trailer concludes with Portman saying: "This is a joyful, creative process. Don''t be afraid to make mistakes. Your job is to imagine someone else's life."