Now available for the first time, this eight hour master class DVD offers direct instruction from one of the most influential acting teachers of the 20th century. Edited under the supervision of the Sanford Meisner Estate, this archival footage is the only video record of Sanford himself teaching students. The name Sanford Meisner has become iconic in the world of Acting. He co-founded the Group Theater in 1931 with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg in an effort to bring the teachings of Stanislavski to America. Not long after the group was founded, Meisner questioned the effectiveness of the ‘Method’ acting approach and branched off to develop a healthier approach to acting. Known as ‘theater’s best kept secret” Sandy’s work has left actors with a simple, fun, and healthy way to explore the depths of the dramatic arts.

Actors, directors, and teachers now have the opportunity to study with the legendary actress and teacher Uta Hagen for the first time on DVD. Shot over the course of two years, the interaction between Ms. Hagen and the actors and audience puts the viewer right in the room. All ten of her celebrated Object Exercises are clarified and performed. Jack Lemmon, Whoopi Goldberg and Christine Lahti, among others - all former students - recall their classes with Ms. Hagen and her enduring influence on their work. As Ms. Hagen herself states, When I believe that there is a human being in action up there, in that moment, alive - right there - then I get spellbound. When you really achieve that understanding of human nature, the ability to place yourselves in the shoes of another human being and reveal that life onstage, is to me the ultimate experience.
2 DVDS, 200 MINUTES TOTAL! Uta Hagen has received the Tony and Drama Critics Awards for her roles in Odets The Country Girl and Albee s Who s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. She won an Obie Award for her role in Mrs. Klein and was awarded a Tony for Special Lifetime Achievement and the National Endowment for the Arts Medal of Honor. Because I love the theater, and believe it to be not only the actor s training but testing ground, it is with great pleasure that I recommend this set. - Meryl Streep Here is Ms. Hagen at her extraordinary best - witty, compassionate, inspired and inspiring. Will watching this make you a better actor, director or teacher? Yes, yes and yes! - David Hyde Pierce How fortunate that Hagen s teaching has been captured on film ... This is an important work. - Library Journal It is absolutely required viewing. - Richard Brown, Professor of Humanities, New York University

In this 3-hour video lecture/demo, follow DreamWorks Animator Ken Fountain s process for analyzing and animating a simple, clear and appealing acting performance.
With a presentation geared toward the more advanced animator looking to create a great test shot for their demo reel, Ken let s you look over his shoulder as he chooses audio, examines the character s subtext, plans his staging, breaks down video reference, works out timing and attitude through thumbnailing, uses detailed blocking to define clear acting beats, controls and shapes the scene s phrasing, adds texture to enhance the energy, sculpts the lipsync, and brings a shot to a polished final.