MANILA, Philippines?Promoting his latest starrer, ?Hancock,? on TV recently, Will Smith was asked what he felt set him apart from other stars in his ?class.? He mulled the key question over, and shared:

?It isn?t talent?many actors have that. Maybe it?s the fact that I?ve always pushed myself to do better. I feel we all owe it to our viewers, to give them something new and special all the time.

?But, more than anything else, I think the edge I may possibly have over others is the skill I?ve acquired from studying and actual experience. I?ve worked really hard to develop it through the years, and I think that?s what fans recognize in and appreciate about my performances.?

All-important playdate

Smith must know whereof he speaks, because his movies have made billions of dollars at the tills. And, most impressively of all, he?s the ?king? of the all-important playdate that is the July 4 weekend?which is when ?Hancock? plays in the US.

So, prospective stars should follow his lead and see their talent only as their starting point. It?s what they do to further develop it that really counts.

Another established star whose career moves can teach aspiring talents a thing or two?or 10!?is Meryl Streep. Even after decades of sterling performances on the big screen, she continues to dazzle and surprise movie fans, who keep looking forward to her next portrayal.

This month, we will all be treated to Streep?s latest vibrant characterization in the film version of the hit stage musical, ?Mamma Mia.? Using the songs made popular by Abba, the musical tells the story of a woman (Streep) whose daughter is about to get married, and naturally wants to be given away by her father.

That seemingly ordinary request turns out to be difficult and complicated to fulfill?because Streep?s character had multiple boyfriends, each of whom could be her daughter?s dad!

?Mother? role

This is Streep?s nth time to topbill a film, but her portrayal in ?Mamma Mia? is already eliciting raves for its verve and sparkle. Yes, it a ?mother? role, but she doesn?t play it in a perfunctorily maternal manner. Instead, she makes her character come to life in a delightfully winning way.

The icing on the already delicious cake that is her portrayal is her breezy rendition of some tuneful songs, surprising viewers who have typecast her only as a dramatic actress.

Creative ideas

What can young talents learn from all this? That stars like Streep don?t run out of creative ideas, and in fact do even better with the passing years.

So, they too should learn to treat each acting assignment as a fresh challenge and opportunity to further hone their talent. ?And to treat each role assigned to them as though it were their last!