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Ben Affleck was terrified as he showcased his directorial debut to movie studio bosses yesterday.
The Pearl Harbour star - who is making his comeback after he and wife Jennifer Garner became parents to one-year-old daughter Violet - confessed he was a bundle of nerves before the screening of Gone, Gaby, Gone.
Ben told USA Today: "It's definitely nerve-racking.
"It's like the old cliché: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression."
The 34-year-old - who rose to fame nine years ago when he co-wrote and starred in Good Will Hunting with friend Matt Damon - has appeared in a series of flop films in recent years, including Gigli and Jersey Girl with former love Jennifer Lopez.
His latest acting role - as original Superman George Reeves in Hollywoodland - won him the best-actor award at the Venice Film Festival this year.
Ben confessed being a father has made him even more wary about making mistakes.
He said: "I've never been very judicious about my own behaviour or choices until they had an impact on people other than me.
"Obviously, my wife. And my daughter, who's going to have my last name ? I don't want her to mutter it over a drink. I want her to be proud of her old man."
The Dogma star also said he is worried about forcing fame on his daughter.
Ben said: "My child didn't make the bargain I did. And I don't want her to have to pay for the parents' sins. I try to protect her privacy. I'll end up in the magazines and I can live with it, but I try to shield my daughter."
- BANG! SHOWBIZ
