How Did Christian Bale Learn to Play Double-Bass Drums in Just Two Weeks? [VIDEO]

It's no secret that Christian Bale is willing to do just about anything to become the characters he plays in his films. The actor managed to shrink into anorexic proportions for The Machinist before bulking up to play Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins. So it shouldn't be a surprise that Bale has just learned to play double-bass drums in only two weeks, all while listening to heavy metal bands Pantera and Mastodon.

In an interview for his latest film, The Big Short, Bale admitted that he took a crash course of Double-Bass Drumming 101 for a small scene in the movie where his character, Dr. Mike Burry, lets steam out by banging on a drum kit.

"Yes, yes, yes. It was a wonderful crash course," he said, adding that he learned to play one awesome heavy metal song.

"Double-kick drum, Pantera, 'By Demons Be Driven' – a fantastic song to begin with. This is how Mike Burry unwound. This is actually how he calmed down," Bale revealed before sharing that this character doesn't just listen to Pantera all the time.

"He would listen to [the song] all day long in his headphones – and not just that; Mastodon as well. But his brain is on fire so much that death metal calms him. He's a very, very different individual to most of us," he concluded.

Bale may thank Pantera and Mastodon for providing the music he practiced to, but he also got some help from a professional. Musicians Institute drum teacher Scott Wittenburg was hired to coach the actor with his technique and admits he may have gotten the job because of his heavy metal background.

The Big Short was directed by Adam McKay and also starred Brad Pitt, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Finn Wittrock. The film has been nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Picture.