Snappy answer to method actors question?

Question:A method actor in rehearsal once questioned a director on a particular direction he was given asking, "What's my motivation?"

The director replied, "Your paycheck!"

Who were the actor and director? Or is this just an urban ledgen?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: A method actor in rehearsal once questioned a director on a particular direction he was given asking, "What's my motivation?"

The director replied, "Your paycheck!"

Who were the actor and director? Or is this just an urban ledgen?

There are a lot of versions of that. Seems like they are based in fact back there somewhere. Producer/Director Stuart Ostrow takes credit for an example in which he told Janis Page that her motivation was, "You open on Friday." I think I've heard it attributed to George Abbott also. The Ostrow version can be found in Ostrow's book, "A Producer's Broadway Journey."

The young lady in question is unidentified, the director was George Abbot. It seems to be a real occurance.