I'm going to be making my move soon to get back into the industry after a long time off. My good friend firmly recommends a place called the Acting Corps. I do trust his opinion, and he is a very good actor, but I thought I'd throw it one there and see what this board has to say. Apparently they teach techniques that I never explored back in my day.

I would say, such is the case with many questions asked on this board, you should do a search because the question has been asked before.

For my part, I went there and I highly recommend them (as I’m guessing you’ll see when you do the search). I've responded to this question before... so I won't go into any detail here.

There programs are good the corps are all about BCII... BCI just lays the foundation they have one of the only programs that I have seen that offer technique scene study movement cold reading and on camera techniques. Plus they meet five days a week and have a hour workout you can do everyday before class.

It's a good school, but ask yourself "Is Meisner for me?" Their curriculum is based on Meisner.

I am intrigued by the idea of Meisner, but I have had no exposure to it so I'm not sure if they are for me. But it can't hurt to find out. My friend gave me a pretty good overview of the exercises and what it's all about. He also raves about Michael Chekov, but says I won't get any of that in the first level of the program, which I gather is all Meisner.

Happy Easter.

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Originally posted by Ron V:
I am intrigued by the idea of Meisner, but I have had no exposure to it so I'm not sure if they are for me. But it can't hurt to find out. My friend gave me a pretty good overview of the exercises and what it's all about. He also raves about Michael Chekov, but says I won't get any of that in the first level of the program, which I gather is all Meisner.

Happy Easter.

Before investing a lot of money, read Meisner's book and William Esper's book. Those two are two of the best books on Meisner's version of Method acting.

I will check out those books. I know my friend has the Meisner book. He said I should read it first too. Not sure if he has Esper's book, but I'll find it. Thanks.

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I will check out those books. I know my friend has the Meisner book. He said I shou

The best Meisner book (in my opinion) is called "Sanford Meisner on Acting."

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Originally posted by Jon_K:

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I will check out those books. I know my friend has the Meisner book. He said I shou

The best Meisner book (in my opinion) is called "Sanford Meisner on Acting."

umm that's the one that Ron V is talking about. It's documents Meisner himself. There really are only two books that well document Sandy's teachings-"Sanford Meisner on Acting" and William Esper's book. Esper in his book gives a more relevant and modern presentation of Meisner's version of American Method acting.

Joanne Barron and D.W. Brown, the founders of one of the best Meisner based schools in L.A., are releasing a new book in a few days. That's a book to definitely add to those two already mentioned.

I didn't see anyone specifically mention which book (Meisner wrote like 5 books I think), so I just wanted to make sure the guy knew what the title of the book was.

Their curriculum is based on the some of the principles of Meisner with a concentration on Michael Chekhov technique. I have been going there for almost two years and have found the place to be constantly evolving with the teachers pushing students to take their work to new places.

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Originally posted by Jon_K:
I didn't see anyone specifically mention which book (Meisner wrote like 5 books I think), so I just wanted to make sure the guy knew what the title of the book was.

Nope. He only co-wrote one, "Sanford Meisner on Acting." Actually, one of his disciples documented him teaching and put it into a book.

I read the Esper book. I know many graduates of the BFA & MFA program and some have read it, they said it's on point. The guy who wrote it is a graduate of the MFA program. I would have preferred a more direct explanation of things...not so flowery. At times, it takes away from the actual message. So, if you can get past all of that it's a good book.

The book my friend has and said I should read is Stanford Meisner on Acting. I borrowed it and actually plan to start it tonight.

I just got back from there BCI. Finished on the 24th. BCI is just the basics and the ground work. It was necessary for someone like me that had no real previous training. BCII and the advanced program is where the real meat and potatoes are. The great thing about the Daily Acting Workout is you exercise and practice with everyone from BCII to the advanced program. It's really great to see the progression you will make from those already in the BCII and advanced program. Now since I have had little previous training I really don't have the expierence to rate them as great, good, or bad. I can only say that I learned a lot, had fun, worked hard, and grew as a person. One student was kicked out for being a flake. Kept showing up late or not at all. Not all of us got invited to BCII for various reasons. As soon as I'm in a financial position to quit and move to LA I will finish up with BCII and hopefully do well enough to be invited to the Advanced Program. Hope this help.

I finished the Meisner book. Seems quite interesting. I think I'm going to give the Acting Corps a try. I want to explore this technique and find out if it works for me, what's the worst that can happen? Even if I find it's not, I'm better for having explored it.

Thanks again everyone.

I see that recommendations for Meisner books has been well covered so I'll chime in with my tip on Michael Chekhov.
Check out "Michael Chekhov" by Franc Chamberlin on Routledge Press. Of course "To The Actor" by Chekhov himself is a must-read, but can be hard to get if you're not in an actual Chekhov class as you're reading it. The Chamberlin book will give you an excellent overview of who Michael Chekhov was, what he did, and how he differs from the more well know methods of acting.
I have never studied Chekhov with Mr. Buica at The Actors Corps, so I cannot say anything about how he approaches Chekhov. I have studied with a first generation student of Mr. Chekhov and can say that it is a wonderful technique. I recommend it highly!