Scene Study/Method Training in L.A.

vcassel

vcassel

Veteran
Tonight I audited a class at Playhouse West in North Hollywood (very close to where I live), and I was blown away by how entertaining it was.

Playhouse West was founded by Jeff Goldblum and Robert Carnagie in 1981 and is based on the Meisner Method, though it departs from it into its own thing. Its alumni includes Ashley Judd, James Franco, Jim Carrey, Michelle Pfieffer, Sean Astin, Heather Graham, Jordana Brewster, Scott Wolf, Damon Wayans, and Kristen Bell. The curriculum is divided into beginners, intermediate, and advanced, and the pace of advancement is completely dependent on the individual student. Many alumni are lifelong students. The cost is $200 a month for 2 classes a week. There are also 2 rehearsal classes a week that are free for students. The classes are 3 hours long.

I think I'm going to go for it starting next week. I'm pretty amazed by the relatively low cost of top acting training out here in L.A.

So, anyone have any experience with Playhouse West or another method training school?
 
My first class was great. I did my first repetitions with another student in front of the class and learned a lot. At the school's request, I recently bought the book Sanford Meisner on Acting; I can't put it down. It's a very entertaining read. The funniest thing is having teachers I recognize from television and films. This whole experience is a blast.
 
Meisner is great training. Been studying it here in Montreal with Jacqueline McClintock all summer. We are now out of the chairs and doing door knocks and exercises. Amazing really.
 
Yeah, I'm starting to have real fun with it--in focusing on someone and using what they give me. It's thrilling when you make that connection with someone and it feels like they're peering into your soul. It's even good when it's not good.
 
bill totolo said:
vcassel, do they offer anything for directors?
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No, but they have a screenwriting course that meets twice a week and allows you to also take one acting class a week. I recommend the acting course for directors, though, as you'll be learning to work with and read actors and whether they're being truthful and in the moment or not. You'll also have access to a deep pool of talent for your films to draw from, some of them working actors in film and television. The writer/director of Igby Goes Down went there.
 
I'm glad it's going well. I took some acting classes, and they were one of the hardest things I've ever done. The class you're taking sounds great.
 
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