Levi McConaughey Shares the Acting Advice Dad Matthew Gave Him as the 16-Year-Old Does His First Red Carpet Interview

Levi McConaughey is sharing the words of wisdom his actor dad gave him before his first film.

The 16-year-old son of Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves McConaughey spoke with PEOPLE on Monday, March 10, at the premiere of Matthew’s new film The Rivals of Amziah King at SXSW Film Festival in Austin.

While at the premiere, Levi did his first red carpet interview, chatting with PEOPLE about his upcoming acting debut in the coming-of-age film Way of the Warrior Kid. Asked if his dad gave him any advice for acting in his first film, Levi shared that there were a few things his famous father said.

“I mean, he gave me a lot of advice, and he was able to mentor me in a couple different ways,” Levi explains. “But I’d say the main thing for acting, and pardon my French, is no bulls— in your bones and own what you’re doing and make a choice regardless if that ends up being the right one or the wrong one — commit to it and know what you’re saying.”

Matthew also discussed some of the advice he told his son, recalling to PEOPLE, “It’s one, you’ve got a natural ability. Two, how do we get specific about knowing where you’re coming from and where you’re going? Best acting for my money is when an actor’s caught in action, doing something. Meaning, where were you before, and where are you going after, if the camera is rolling the whole time. So you come into the scene, so the scene doesn’t feel like a fresh start and a fresh ending.”

“The other thing is, take risks,” he continues. “Don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself – I did it plenty of times, and it’s a lot easier to go big and come back down to reality than it is to come in under and push it to more energy later. It’s a lot easier to go big, make a fool of yourself, get embarrassed, and then bring it down to reality than it is to start with low energy and go, hey, we need more.”

As he walked the red carpet, Levi was joined by his parents, who smiled as they posed for photos together. Alves McConaughey could also be seen taking photos and videos of her son on the carpet from her phone as she proudly looked on.

Levi is the oldest of the famous couple’s kids. They are also parents to daughter Vida, 14, and son Livingston, 11.

This past September, Deadline confirmed that Levi would be making his acting debut, playing a supporting role alongside star Chris Pratt.

On Aug 30, Matthew was spotted visiting Levi on the film’s set as his son got ready to begin filming. For the acting role, Levi could be seen wearing a red flannel, navy T-shirt and blue jeans.

In the photos, the father-son duo stood off-camera and chatted with one another. On the sidelines, Matthew wore a blue button-down top, brown trucker hat, brown sunglasses and a headset around his neck.