This is a repeat of a Channel 4 (UK) 2 -part documentary first broadcast about a year ago. 20 models are chosen from 250 to attend a 3-month acting course run by the drama coach Kate Maslow. I expected this to be a fairly easy watch, but found myself getting very offended, if not upset, by the techniques Maslow used.

For instance, one of the models does a handstand on the first day in front of eveyone. Maslow asked the model what the meaning behind this was, eventually forcing a confession from the young woman (in front of 9 strangers) that she wanted to be ****** (think of the f-word). All were subjected to very frank, persistant probing akin to abusive misuse of therapy techniques. Not that Maslow was interested in therapy - it was all for their art's sake, necessary to get them all suitably receptive to their drama tuition.

Not surprisingly this all caused a great deal of distress and 50% dropped out. One poor girl was eventually bullied into confessing she had been raped 2 years ago. What was worse, she said, was her parents reaction - "if you go clubbing what can you expect". Maslow's reaction ? A face-pull and "parents..." Then the usual cold-blooded advice along the lines of "get over it - you've got three days." Strangely, the girl did decide to put it behind her - but the abusive manner of Maslow mirrors that of her parents and the rapist. I do not think that can be defended.

After a few weeks of this plus mandatory cold showers and enforced haircuts the models' agent decided to secretly test her clients with a professional casting session. They all failed miserably. Maslow was summoned and given a grilling. Interestingly she did not appear to enjoy frank opinions being given to her for a change. The agent decided to call in another coach who employed much gentler techniques, but Maslow was left to continue the bulk of the work.

After 3 months an audience was invited to watch a presentation of their work. This appeared to be a success - the agent was impressed, the models full of praise for Maslow. Some of them began to get acting work.

However, it was difficult to guage how good any of them were. They were all very pretty, which is enough to get most people cast nowadays as acting standards are so low. The showcase at the end of their course seemed to be solely mime. Whenever they had to read a part it was never much better than a school play. All that abuse - for that ?

I have some experience of this world. I did a lot of acting at school and college. I've directed some theatre and film projects and have had many friends in the business. It is a very weird business and I did sometimes do abusive things ( I am ashamed to say) to get a performance, but most of the time I think such techniques are unnecessary - probably completely unnecessary given enough experience. Always it was because I was desperate to get a result ! Also I did make it clear that any actor would get support if they felt traumatised or anything.

Maslow, however, seems to have built abuse habitually into the very fabric of her course. Once brutalised, her students end up praising their abuser, unaware they could have got just as far ( probably a lot further too!) without such unnecessary grief.

I am reminded of Laurence Olivier's comment during the production of "The Marathon Man". Dustin Hoffman, to prepare for his part, was employing some pretty tough method acting techniques to "get into his character" - including slepping rough all night. When Olivier heard of this he asked Hoffman : "Can't you just act ?"

Believe me, there is enough suffering involved in drama without having to institutionalise it. If you are thinking of entering the profession - beware of people older and more powerful than you taking a mean advantage. It does not have to be that way !

I think there is a famous psychologist called Abraham (?) Maslow...some connection ? Does this explain everything ?