Stanislavski's system
He was mobilized for the First World War in July 1915, but was diagnosed in September with “mental disorders” and sent home. During the war, he took numerous theatrical tours, notably a tour to the US under the direction of Lucien Guitry. He became a member of the Firmin Gémier theatre company at the Théâtre Antoine, before devoting himself exclusively to cinema. His first major contract was with Russian producers Joseph Ermolieff and Alexandre Kamenka, who taught him using Stanislavski's system.