Ryan Gosling says high school prepared him for criticism.
Ryan Gosling
The 'Drive' star has admitted he isn't worried about what people think of his acting or directing abilities because he has learnt to take negative feedback from his childhood.
He told Vanity Fair magazine: "High school kind of prepares you for all this s**t. It's not that different, really.
"In high school every time you stuck your neck out there was always a bunch of people there ready to chop your head off. Hollywood's not different."
Meanwhile, the 34-year-old actor - who has six-month-old daughter Esmeralda with his partner Eva Mendes - also admitted he feels as though he has to take more criticism now he is in the director's chair.
He said: "When you're an actor, if people don't like the movie, you just go, 'I didn't direct it. I didn't write it. It's not mu fault.' But when you direct it, you just have to take it on the chin."
When asked if he is alright with being criticised, he added: "I'm getting there ... You can't get in the ring and complain about getting hit; it's just the nature of it."
And the star has revealed his decision to move into directing isn't a permanent one and is just a type of "job security".
He told BBC Breakfast: "It's job security, I think. (If) they stop hiring me, I'll hire myself... They both feel like natural partners to one another for me.
"I felt like it helped me be a better actor and understand what my role was an actor through directing and vice versa. It's good if director's take some acting classes as well."
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