For centuries, actors have been regarded as entertainers and performers, often subjected to judgment. Today, let’s pause and consider: who truly is an actor? What defines their process, and what are the challenges and joys they face? Historically, and even today, some segments of society view acting with skepticism. It demands more than mere performance; it requires emotional vulnerability and immense courage, deserving respect akin to noble professions like medicine and teaching. Acting, when approached sincerely, can transform lives by conveying powerful ideas and emotions, forging deep human connections. However, some aspirants driven solely by fame and fortune can tarnish the profession with ego and self-aggrandizement.
In essence, acting is a noble pursuit when executed with integrity, transcending ego to touch hearts and minds. Comprehensive education in acting plays a crucial role in shaping genuine artists, equipping them with the skills and mindset needed for this transformative journey. Oorvazi Irani, HOD, Actors’ Studio, Whistling Woods International (WWI), share further insights in the following exclusive interaction.
Ans: Whistling Woods International has always been known for its rigorous and disciplined acting courses, emphasising collaboration with peers from other creative disciplines such as filmmaking and music. The foundation of WWI Actors’ Studio was laid by the veteran actor, Naseeruddin Shah, who served as the first HOD. Building on our Founder & Chairman, Subhash Ghai and formed HOD’s legacy, we continue to offer comprehensive training and a collaborative spirit.
Some key features that set us apart include:
Ans: Acting today requires more than just a stylist or agent—it demands mental and emotional resilience. The work of an actor involves exposing themselves to bring a vision to life and connect with the audience. This process can be grueling, necessitating mental coaching akin to physical training. Our curriculum addresses this by fostering a deep self-discovery, empowering students to create robust artistic expressions. We provide a support system and training to build strong foundational roots.
Additionally, actors must manage their personal brand, especially on social media. We offer modules in content creation, branding, and marketing to equip students with these skills. Practical experience is also crucial, so students work on set with industry professionals, using film projects for their final showreel. Understanding modern technology is essential, and our Emerging Media Lab offers collaboration with filmmaking, animation, and game design students on projects involving VFX and motion capture.
Finally, with a global market in mind, our syllabus and teaching style align with international standards, preparing students for future studies and careers worldwide.
Ans: The WWI Actors’ Studio curriculum has evolved to train career-oriented actors capable of sustaining a livelihood in the industry. Our comprehensive training covers voice, camera, theatre, and other media, emphasising professionalism over glamour. Key aspects include:
Ans: At WWI Actors’ Studio, we integrate cutting-edge technology and modern techniques to prepare students for the evolving demands of the industry. Iconic characters like Gollum from The Lord of the Rings and Neytiri from Avatar owe their lifelike performances to motion capture (mo-cap) technology. Understanding the importance of mo-cap and performance capture (p-cap), we train our students in these advanced techniques, where actors wear sensors to record their movements.
Our curriculum includes:
This approach ensures our students are well-equipped to excel in a technology-driven acting landscape.
Ans: A key aspect of WWI Actors’ Studio is the strong connection between academia and industry, which continues with our alumni. We collaborate closely with casting directors, providing senior students and alumni with audition opportunities, training modules, and invitations to serve on juries and examining panels for student projects.
We have partnerships with leading film banners like Dharma Productions and Yash Raj Films, offering our students exposure to top industry professionals. Additionally, our affiliations with international universities provide platforms for further studies, growth, and collaborative projects.
In India, we partner with top brands in the creative field, such as Shiamak Davar’s dance academy. Our acting students recently performed a high-energy dance drama inspired by the film Taal, choreographed by the Shiamak Team, showcasing their talent and versatility.
Our alumni network is extensive, with WWI graduates present on various film and media sets. This strong network supports and encourages our students, helping them navigate the industry and realise their dreams. Each alumnus represents a valuable industry connection, fostering a supportive community for new graduates.
Ans: At WWI Actors’ Studio, students receive comprehensive practical training that encompasses their mind, body, and spirit. They develop deeper awareness and skills in concentration, imagination, communication, and expressiveness through various acting techniques and traditions, including Stanislavsky, Meisner, Chekhov, Natyashastra, Shakespeare, and Clowning. We also offer specialised training in voice-over, dubbing, radio play, yoga, and martial arts.
Key aspects of our practical training include:
Through these experiences, students at WWI Actors’ Studio receive practical, hands-on training that prepares them to excel in the competitive acting industry.
WWI Actors’ Studio offers a range of international opportunities and exchange programmes through affiliations and workshops with top universities worldwide. These programmes expose students to diverse acting techniques and traditions, enhancing their global perspective and skill set.
Key collaborations include:
These international collaborations provide WWI students with invaluable experience and training, preparing them for a global acting career.
WWI Actors’ Studio fosters creativity and innovation by encouraging students to take responsibility for their learning and actively participate in all their projects. This involvement spans from choosing topics and direction for their street plays to final play and screen acting projects. Students also collaborate on interdepartmental projects with peers from other WWI creative schools such as filmmaking, animation, visual communication design, music, and fashion, providing varied opportunities to display their creative skills.
Key elements include:
Diversity and inclusion are integral to our ethos:
This approach ensures that WWI Actors’ Studio not only nurtures creativity and innovation but also maintains an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.
WWI Actors’ Studio organises a variety of extracurricular activities, including residential workshops and field trips, to enrich students’ learning experiences and introduce them to new, exciting worlds.
A particularly popular destination is the Navarasa Sadhana workshop in Kerala:
Navarasa Sadhana Workshop: This workshop involves the systematic daily practice of the Nine Rasas, aiming to enhance actors’ abilities to evoke aesthetic experiences in viewers. The workshop, devised by G. Venu, a distinguished performer and scholar of Kutiyattam, offers transformative training on the depths and diversity of human emotions. Esteemed actors like Adil Hussain, Mita Vashisht, and Sandhya Mridul have greatly benefited from this workshop.
Another notable activity is the clowning workshop in Wada, Maharashtra:
Clowning Workshop: Conducted by Rupesh Tillu, an internationally recognised faculty member, this workshop provides a fun-filled learning experience. Tillu, trained by top teachers in the field, has been teaching clowning for many years, offering students valuable insights and skills.
WWI also hosts a range of vibrant festivals and events to foster community spirit and provide diverse experiences:
These extracurricular activities and events provide students with unique opportunities to deepen their craft, learn from esteemed practitioners, engage in transformative experiences, and foster a sense of community and teamwork.
Ans: Our alumni from WWI Actors’ Studio continue to make us proud with their remarkable achievements across the film and entertainment industry. Many of our graduates are collaborating with top directors such as Subhash Ghai, Mira Nair, and Anurag Kashyap, showcasing their talent in film, television, OTTS, commercial ads, and voice-over roles.
Some of our distinguished alumni among others are Shashank Khaitan, originally trained as an actor, he is now an integral part of Dharma Productions’ direction and writing team with films like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Badrinath Ki Dulhania to his credit; Aahana Kumra, renowned for her versatile roles in Yudh, Lipstick Under My Burkha among others; Shashank Arora, known for his performances in critically acclaimed Titli & Made in Heaven; Anil Charanjeett in films like Shershaah, Hasee Toh Phasee among others; Rajshri Deshpande for her acclaimed performances in Trial by Fire, Manto; Samvedna Suwalka of Drishyam 2 and Natsamrat fame; Sahil Vaid, recognised for his distinctive voice in Hindi versions of several international films along with screen presence in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Badrinath Ki Dulhania among others; Aru Verma, for his impactful roles in both films like 2 States and several ad films; Ishita Deshmukh for her compelling performance in Janaki (TV series); Sai Godbole, making a mark in the world of social media and ad films as content creator, Pradeep Bajpai for his compelling performances in Darbar, Jawan.
Their successes highlight the comprehensive training and nurturing environment at WWI Actors’ Studio, empowering our alumni to excel and contribute meaningfully to the entertainment landscape.
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