Ward Acting Studio Podcast

I've been teaching 25 years and I see actors becoming more and more fragile. It's not helpful.  It hinders greatness.  Actors need to understand that just like athletes they have to toughen up to get on their game.

If you play the adjectives, you'll end up with a caricature and that's never believable.

If you play the adjectives, you'll end up with a caricature and that's never believable.

If you play the adjectives, you'll end up with a caricature and that's never believable.

Using endearments like "love," "dear," "sweetie," etc. is just wrong in this industry.  Please don't do this until you are least on a first name basis with someone.  Even using a person's first name can be presumptuous.  Better to err on the conservative side and wait until a name is given to you to use.  People like to say, "Oh, you can call me by my first name."

Using endearments like "love," "dear," "sweetie," etc. is just wrong in this industry.  Please don't do this until you are least on a first name basis with someone.  Even using a person's first name can be presumptuous.  Better to err on the conservative side and wait until a name is given to you to use.  People like to say, "Oh, you can call me by my first name."

Using endearments like "love," "dear," "sweetie," etc. is just wrong in this industry.  Please don't do this until you are least on a first name basis with someone.  Even using a person's first name can be presumptuous.  Better to err on the conservative side and wait until a name is given to you to use.  People like to say, "Oh, you can call me by my first name."

Mickey Rourke was given a second chance but do not romanticize the stories you hear on the Actor's Studio and think that your bad behavior will be tolerated.  Being difficult to work with can sabotage your career.

Mickey Rourke was given a second chance but do not romanticize the stories you hear on the Actor's Studio and think that your bad behavior will be tolerated.  Being difficult to work with can sabotage your career.

Mickey Rourke was given a second chance but do not romanticize the stories you hear on the Actor's Studio and think that your bad behavior will be tolerated.  Being difficult to work with can sabotage your career.

Sometimes being ready to shoot the best take just takes some time.

Sometimes being ready to shoot the best take just takes some time.

Sometimes being ready to shoot the best take just takes some time.

Sometimes students complain about friends who disparage their Meisner training by saying things like "Sounds like a cult!"  When actors make a commitment to training, sometimes it means giving up Friday nights out with friends in favor of rehearsing or prepping for that Saturday class.  Sometimes significant personal growth shows on the actor's face, as he talks enthusiastically about his new experiences.  And those experiences can threaten other people -- especially other actors.  So don't concern yourself when someone refers to Meisner as a cult.  It's not.  But it does demand a singular focus on becoming a great actor.

Sometimes students complain about friends who disparage their Meisner training by saying things like "Sounds like a cult!"  When actors make a commitment to training, sometimes it means giving up Friday nights out with friends in favor of rehearsing or prepping for that Saturday class.  Sometimes significant personal growth shows on the actor's face, as he talks enthusiastically about his new experiences.  And those experiences can threaten other people -- especially other actors.  So don't concern yourself when someone refers to Meisner as a cult.  It's not.  But it does demand a singular focus on becoming a great actor.