Frequently Asked Questions
Warner answers some frequently asked questions...
• What is Emotion With Detail?
• What does it mean that your technique is "safe"?
• What material do you use for scenes in class?
• What are the typical class sizes?
• How often will I get to work?
• What are the expectations for rehearsal and homework time?
• How long is a typical class?
• Can I go directly to the Master Class?
• I am a working actor. Do I really need to take your Intensive?
• I want to start Scene Study now! How do I expedite the Intensive?
• What happens if I book work and must miss class?
• How do I schedule a make-up?
• How much does private coaching cost?
1) What is Emotion With Detail?
Emotion with Detail is a powerful tool in my technique used to create deep visceral connections to a character. It is not enough to simply understand a character's motivations or emotions from an intellectual standpoint. To achieve rich emotion reliably, repeatedly and safely, you also have to build the character's history emotionally. Emotion With Detail mirrors the way we as real people experience emotion physiologically - so that the character's emotional history lives within us and is safely compartmentalized and reliably accessible. Though it is just a piece of The Warner Loughlin Technique, some students refer to the Technique itself as Emotion With Detail.
2) What does it mean that your technique is "safe"?
You do not have to harvest and manipulate and prostitute your own private pain in order to be a deeply emotional actor. The use of personal substitutions may work for some actors professionally, but for most it becomes a burden personally. They dig up all their pain and milk it and then wonder why they can't let it go at "Wrap!" My technique allows you to access the character's pain - and because it isn't your own, you can reliably use it and then let it go! I can't think of a more wonderful job than acting. We get to show humanity what humanity is. It should be joyful, not painful!
3) What material do you use for scenes in class?
Students have the freedom to work on everything from sitcom to Shakespeare and find scenes from film, TV and theatre. We have an extensive script library at the Studio and an open door policy regarding its use. As the Scene Study classes are designed for working actors, we try to approximate a real working environment - accordingly scenes should be just a few pages and actors will do several takes with adjustments.
4) What are the typical class sizes?
Because every student works during every class, I like to keep classes smaller than most studios. Most of our classes range from 12-16 students.
5) How often will I get to work?
Every student works every class. My Studio, at every level, is about training working actors - exercising the muscles needed to do this extraordinary job. One of the key muscles is the ability to quickly create, develop and embody new characters on a regular basis. After all, we normally have less than a day to prepare most auditions, and for TV bookings we have less than a week to prepare the role. I want you to be comfortable and confident with the speed at which this business runs.
6) What are the expectations for rehearsal and homework time?
I designed my studio to serve the needs of working actors and to train the muscles specific to this industry. It would be nice if every episodic and feature had weeks of rehearsal with the star cast! But more often than not you show up and start shooting. For this reason, I ask my students not to rehearse with each other outside of class. That does not mean that the scenes should be cold. You'll do all your character work on your own, outside class - just like in the working world. The first time you fully perform the scene with your partner will be when I say "Action!" - again, just like in a real working situation. Rehearsing with your scene partner creates a dependency that just won't serve you.
The actual amount of personal preparation time differs for each student and depends largely on the role they are preparing. Scenes should be "camera-ready" - fully developed, fully prepared, and obviously fully off-book. I expect you to give as much time as is required to bring your A-game every class.
7) How long is a typical class?
Daytime & Evening scene study classes start promptly at 2pm & 7pm respectively and generally last 3 to 4 hours. All students are expected to stay for the entire class unless they have previously discussed the matter with their teacher.
8) Can I go directly to the Master Class?
No. Entrance to the Master Class requires a mastery of my technique. All the students in this class have studied it in depth and use it consistently in their professional lives. Accordingly there is a shorthand and a speed with which we work that would not serve someone new to the technique. This is about your individual growth, which will be best served by going through the process. Your progress is expedited exponentially when you have a detailed understanding of my technique and the related vocabulary and processes. Please be patient, I have trained thousands of actors over many years, and the process has been refined to bring out the best in you as an actor in the most efficient and expedient manner.
9) I am a working actor. Do I really need to take your Technique Intensive?
Absolutely! Whether you are an award-winner or a new actor - if you are new to my technique, there is a process for learning it. Without the Technique Intensive you might feel lost and frustrated if you are placed in a class with colleagues who are using vocabulary and techniques you are not familiar with. The Technique Intensive is essential to hitting the ground running with your training here at the studio. If you have scheduling or other concerns, we can schedule a private tutorial of the Technique - but we encourage you to take the actual class and learn together with a group.
10) I want to start Scene Study now! How do I expedite the Technique Intensive?
You can arrange to do the Intensive privately in 5 hour-long sessions in as little time as two-weeks. Though we encourage students to take the actual class and learn together as a group, privates are a great alternative for clients with tricky schedules or special needs.
11) What happens if I book work and must miss class?
This is a studio designed to serve the needs of working actors and we understand well the last minute nature of this business. We are delighted when you book work and have a very liberal policy for making up missed classes. If you book a job, notify your scene partner and the class monitor immediately. You will be credited for a make-up class to be used at any time during your ongoing studies. If you book work that requires you to take off a number of weeks, we have a system of "holds" and "leaves of absence" in place. For complete policy information regarding make-ups, holds and leaves, please refer to your Student Information Packet.
12) How do I schedule a make-up?
Please contact the monitor for the class you wish to do your make-up in at least a week in advance. They will help you find a scene partner.
Scene Study Classes are ongoing and are billed in four-week cycles at $275/cycle. We accept checks, cashier's checks and credit cards via PayPal.
The Technique Intensive is $600. The fee for a private Intensive corresponds to the private coaching rates (starting at $100/hour).
14) How much does private coaching cost?
Typically, one hour with Warner is $150, and one hour with a Staff Coach is $100. If you are currently enrolled in ongoing Scene Study classes, there is a 20% discount for coaching sessions with Staff Coaches. For a detailed price sheet including on-set and on-location coaching, please contact the main office (310-360-0077).
15) How do you choose your teachers/coaches?
All of my teachers and coaches are working actors or directors. As a studio designed for working actors, it is essential to offer the most current information, attainable only by being "out on the front lines!" I train each of my teachers and coaches in my technique and they incorporate their own experiences into their class curriculum.
16) Anything else I should know?
The key to success in my studio is the same as the key to success in life - have a good attitude, be ready to work hard and challenge yourself, and be open to the experience! I have spent many years cultivating the tone and culture of my studio - and I can freely say "we got it right!" There is no place for ego, yours or mine, in this studio. This is a place where like-minded artists can come together and practice their craft in a supportive and safe environment.