Bradley Cooper's Six-Year Preparation for 'Maestro' Role

Actor studied raw footage, worked with professional conductors to authentically portray Leonard Bernstein in upcoming film.

Bradley Cooper spent six years learning to conduct for a six-minute sequence in the upcoming film 'Maestro', where he plays the role of composer Leonard Bernstein.
Cooper's preparation involved studying raw footage of Bernstein conducting the 1976 London Symphony Orchestra at Ely Cathedral, which he had to recreate in the film.
The actor also received help from 'wonderful teachers' including Metropolitan Opera director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who made videos with all the tempo changes for Cooper to study.
Despite facing criticism for the prosthetic nose he wears in the film to portray Bernstein, members of the composer’s own family have defended the choice.
'Maestro' is set to have a limited theatrical release on Nov. 22 before it starts streaming on Netflix in December.