THE MEISNER TECHNIQUE:
Acting Technique Level 1
With professional actor and instructor Victor McCay
in association with the Birmingham Film Actor's Lab
TUESDAYS 6:00-8:00pm
FEBRUARY 21 – MARCH 27
$180 for six weeks
to register please email birminghamfilmactorslab@gmail.com
Acting is living truthfully under imaginary circumstances.
-Sanford Meisner
Meisner Training is an interdependent series of exercises that build upon one another. This technique provides a proven and reliable foundation to help actors “get out of their heads” and focus their attention on the core elements needed to act honestly and genuinely. The technique is incredibly intensive, and demands that each actor be serious, committed, and passionate.
In this introductory class, students focus on learning the fundamentals of the technique as Sanford Meisner taught them. These foundational exercises include: the repetition exercise, independent activities and emotional preparation.
· Learn to really listen
· Be fully present in the moment
· Become less self-conscious
· Let go of the need to control
· Connect quickly and deeply to circumstances
· Access emotions authentically
“Sanford Meisner’s approach has always been for me the simplest, most direct, least pretentious and most effective of all the acting techniques.
-Sydney Pollack
Prominent Meisner-trained actors include: Robert Duvall, Jeff Goldblum, Kathy Bates, Steve McQueen, James Gandolfini, Jeff Bridges, Allison Janney, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour and Diane Keaton.
to register please email birminghamfilmactorslab@gmail.com
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Victor received his MFA from Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts where he trained for three years under legendary acting teachers William Esper and Maggie Flanagan who are widely regarded as the foremost instructors of the Meisner Technique.
Victor McCay has worked professionally in the Film and Television Industry for the last 13 years and has appeared in dozens of films and television shows. His credits include Harry’s Law, CSI:NY, NCIS, Boston Legal, West Wing and upcoming Warner Brothers feature, Argo. His IMDB page can be seen here:
http://www.imdb.me/victormccay
Victor has worked with many of the top talents in the industry including:
Robert Downey, Jr., Kathy Bates, Martin Sheen, Sissy Spacek, Naomi Watts, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Timothy Olyphant, Candice Bergen, John Larroquette, Mandy Patinkin, and directors Kenny Ortega and Michael Apted.
INDUSTRY PRAISE
“Victor has an uncanny ability to strike to the heart of an actor's work and really push an actor to limits of what’s possible - which makes for a really exciting and valuable learning experience. Studying with Victor created a basis for the work I've done as an actor over the years, whether film, TV or on stage. His support and insight is truly invaluable!!”
-Lindsay Halladay- tv, film actress (A Perfect Getaway, House)
“Victor is not only one of the most talented actors I have ever come into contact with but he also possesses a practical understanding of the actors process in the workforce that truly reflects his mastery of the craft and technique… Victor is simple, truthful and nurturing… a kind soul with a heart of fire.”
-Anil Kumar- tv, film actor (24, The Cape)
"As a working actor, I know how difficult it can be to communicate the nuances of a professional acting technique. Victor has helped me, and I know he can help anyone looking to seriously study acting. If you have an opportunity to study with Victor, don't hesitate a second. He's the real deal."
-Assaf Cohen – tv, film actor, producer (Entourage, Flight Plan)
