SANFORD MEISNER: THE THEATER'S BEST KEPT SECRET (1984)

Robert Cass
Robert Cass
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Published 2021-04-02
This documentary on the legendary acting teacher debuted at the Los Angeles International Film Exposition on July 18, 1984, and was first broadcast on PBS on August 27, 1990, as part of the network's "American Masters" series. "Sanford Meisner: The Theater's Best Kept Secret" is photographed, edited, and directed by Nick Doob, with interviews conducted by Stephen Harvey and video segments directed by Sydney Pollack, who was Meisner's teaching assistant in the 1950s before he directed films like "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" (1969), "Three Days of the Condor" (1975), "Tootsie" (1982), "Out of Africa" (1985), and "The Firm" (1993). (video source: Bravo, then identifying itself as "the film and arts network," via InterMedia cable, in Athens, Georgia, July '98)

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All Comments (21)
  • @thompsonapproachacademy
    I love NYC people. They have such respect for Sandy. He gave all he had even after his surgery.
  • @martarubio9726
    Thank you for everything you gave us, Sanford Meisner, for teaching us how to act, and more importantly, how to live truthfully 😄
  • @johngeoffrion4590
    That scenework with Frances Sternhagen (starts at 40:53) is utterly amazing. I keep coming back to that. A simple adjustment from Sandy turned a generic recitation into a focused, compelling moment of magic. RIP, Frances.
  • @bryanbolta9407
    I requested this at the New York Public Library a couple days ago. It had yet to arrive. I have been searching for this online for years. Thank you for this rare gem!
  • @123456789772951
    I might be taught this style of acting he teaches at drama school . Fascinating !
  • @itsnlee
    The last advice he gave at the end was moving, even the student felt his genuine words. Thank you for sharing this video.
  • @jannichi6431
    Gregory Peck, a fav. Columbo too. Meisner really loved and cared about the student, knowing a classroom cannot be replaced. ⭐🤓
  • @bagpakpark7097
    Meisner is simple and practical. He gets to the point.. I think most teachers try to over complicate his intentions... people communicate with their tones and gestures more than words that was his big point.. words lie.. he was getting his students to use their instincts.. also in his 7hr video he didn't go into detail, but using imagination or whatever form to get you into an emotional state like emotional recall.. he mentioned keep it to yourself.. if it works use it and implied if whatever the actor was using wasn't fit for the scene to use stronger imagination or different emotional recall, et. whatever they used to get in the state. he mentions whatever you use, if it gets the job done, it gets it done.
  • @ingridhubert3649
    I Learned more about a Meisner the Acting Coach. He had a Stauch Passion for guiding his students about being..emotional Preparation in order Imagine Authentically while Acting. Strip all false and the lies about others whom real made student unrealistic as the character. I love his methods with a mixture of my own blend. Learning about Stanislavski, Adler and Meisner is seeing the world with new eyes. Legendary!
  • @nfk6838
    thank you so much for posting this. I have been looking for it for years. I am a NPH alumni. This brings back lots of memories. I still find the repetition exercise thrilling to watch.
  • @hollygagnier9220
    Gotta love Pollack directing Hoffman on how to do a Spoon River!
  • @snazoqaqamba9582
    Thank you so much for this!, now reading the book will be much easier. Sandy is a GOD!! We were truly blessed to have him
  • @malachesis
    this was inspiring and very moving to watch <3