This is a question I am often asked on myspace and at the studio from actors who are auditing my Professional Classes. The answer is yes and no. My work is very rooted in the Meisner technique and, in fact, I had no massive breakthroughs and giant revelations about myself as an actor until I studied Meisner. Prior to studying Meisner, I had gone through the Stella Adler school and got the wonderful chance to work with her personally. After that I had worked with a well known Method based teacher where I did countless emotional exercises to find my own emotional instrument. But I was totally lost doing scene work in that class and realized that I was more in my head as an actor than ever and it was time to leave. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret the time lost doing these emotional exercises because I believe this is important to understand ones emotional instrument. But, that teacher thinks he is a good acting teacher and I think this coach is a wonderful emotional tool and instrument teacher.

So then my agent at the time had strongly suggested that I work with a coach named Ed Kaye-Martin. He was a teacher who was once a Neighborhood Playhouse teacher trained by Sandy Meisner. I began working with him several years after he had left the Neighborhood Playhouse. By this point he had changed and modified some of Sandy’s work. He felt that the repetition exercise actually kept actors in their heads because the actors were constantly nodding their heads during the exercise. He believed that emotional life was on the body and that the emotional life in the original repetition exercise was not as truthful as people seemed to think it was. He also taught exactly what emotional life was and more important how to find yours. He also invented the improvs - an extension of the activity work to insure that actors were truly improvising once in text. He once said that he didn’t have to spend a year of an actors training teaching them how to knock at a door. There are only a few of us who studied with Ed that actually teach this Meisner version in the entire country. But this is not all I do in training an actor and I will speak about this in a moment…

After I began teaching, actually ten years later, I studied again myself and learned and researched the work of Uta Hagen and found it fascinating that her work was based on her own experience in the theatre and a technique that worked for her personally. At that time I realized that is exactly what each actor needs is their own technique. Each actor is so unique and works very differently from one another. I had read Respect for Acting back in high school and always loved the book. There are several aspects of Ms. Hagen’s technique I adore and do use in my Authentic Technique Classes. But much of it is stage technique and not useful for today’s actor. I also studied and worked with Sandy Meisner once I began teaching. I felt it was my duty as a coach to work with the direct source of what it was that I was teaching. He was not in the best of health during that period, but he knew good acting, and still called actors on their b.s., even though it was difficult for him.

That is my studying and researching history. I have been coaching/teaching professional actors for twenty years now. I am finally working on a book. But I make no promises that my book will not change in twenty years. This is because I don’t teach or coach the same way I did back then. Acting has changed so much since then. A good coach must know this and change with the times. I am so fortunate to have worked with the teachers I had. If I had been born any later, I would have not gotten that opportunity and I am only 43 years old.

I will now finally answer the question - Yes, I am a Meisner based teacher. Many Meisner graduates of other programs really enjoy my classes because they feel it is a much more raw, modern approach, and made for the advanced actor. But they are talking about my advanced or professional classes. First off, I work with each student as an individual - what is good for Mary may not be good for George. Everything done in my classes leads to doing scene work. Authentic Technique means just that - AUTHENTIC and PERSONAL to you. I have written over 3,000 personal improv situations for my students through the years. When I work with a new actor I begin with two things - getting them out of their heads and into their body. I get them doing the doings because acting is the reality of doing. These first steps the actor takes in my classes come from Hagan and Meisner. They are doing raw moments - a one word repetition and human experience with their partner. They are doing physical destinations - private scenes knowing where they came from and where they are going in the scene. Behavior activities and entrances with only 11 lines to communicate with. They are learning about actable actions and when to let go of those actions based on what is actually happening to them in the moment. They are finding their own emotional vocabulary and how to use it to trigger their emotional life. My time spent with Stella Adler has helped me to communicate what is IMAGINATION and how important it is to build as an actors muscle. The improv work that I teach is about the world of the script and your realistic relationships with others, the concept being that this is really happening in this moment in the here and now and the consequences are high. Learning how to emotionally prepare for a script and how to let preparation come out in the moment. Meisner said that any idea in acting is a bad one and I AGREE with this theory one hundred percent. An actor cannot act from an idea - its logical and unactable. An actor can only act from what is specific to them personally. In my studio we don’t deal with generals only specifics. Training an actor to live truthfully in imaginary circumstances many coaches do, but I have found this process to be different for each actor. That is why we call it Authentic Technique. So, I am a little bit of all my teachers. But I am mostly about the actor that is right in front of my face. How do I help them grow and become a better actor? How can I help them make their weaknesses their strengths? And how can I help them to get more acting jobs by working with their persona and their craft? I will shut up with this.

Andrew Benne

Not For Slackers!
Category: Blogging

There has been much interest in one of our motto’s ” Not For Slackers” What does this mean you may ask? It means exactly what it says…We are a highly focused , REAL, no B.S place of Study..We work with Actors of all levels, who are very serious about their work/craft , and their Career goals within the Hollywood industry. Andrew Benne has been a professional Hollywood Acting Coach for twenty years. He has a unique insight and gift, to develop actors own individual strengths and qualities, to become strong confident working actors. He doesn’t develop you to be the next Tom Cruise or Julia Roberts…He develops you to be you…to know what you are marketing in Hollywood…and challenge you beyond your comfort zone as an actor…There is no way you can study Acting with Andrew Benne and not Grow as an Actor.

The studio has a very strong work ethic . All the scene work done in Andrew and Irene’s classes is un-rehearsed. This means each actor does their own work, and shows up and meets their scene partner on-stage. The same reality of working on a film or television set. His belief is Rehearsal is a luxury, and not a realistic part of being a tv and film actor in 2008. He says that’s why actors do plays , so you can enjoy and relish the rehearsal process. In order to do un-rehearsed scene work, the studio teaches very strong moment to moment building blocks . This technique is truth within imaginary circumstances with a high voltage. Actors put into action , that acting is the reality of doing. Actors are put into realistic relationships, through the art of doing Film improvs. These improv situations are written by Andrew for each actors own personal breakthroughs. The technique is focused on building each actors instrument and self confidence, so the actor knows how to approach all roles or auditions themselves. Independence as an actor, not dependence on a coach is what Andrew constantly reinforces.

I know this myself from first hand experience. Prior to studying with Andrew Benne, I was studying with two very well known hollywood industry teachers. In both those studios, I was asked to rehearse several times a week with my scene partners. In both those studios, I only learned how to make the actual scene I was doing better. I never learned how to make me stronger, more creative, more truthful, more interesting. It was not until I came and studied at the Andrew Benne Actors Studio, that I as an actor and artist , marketing myself in Hollywood..was able to go to the next step. My technique is mine now, and I know who I am as an Actor, and I owe that to Andrew and Irene.

This is why the studios motto’s…Be a Better Actor… Be a Working Actor….Study Hard. Get Work ..Not For Slackers…are all very true. If you are serious about your Acting and your Career…then Andrew Benne Actors Studio will be serious for you, and work hard to make your goals a reality.

written by Stage Manager Jon

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7 week - Total Acting Immersion
Taught by Andrew Benne

September 9 - OCTOBER 24

Class meets Tuesdays, thursdays, Fridays 12 - 4 p.m [21 Classes]

84 Hours of Intense highly focused training. Get a solid Acting Foundation in only 7 weeks. $895.00 this is a savings of $100.00 if enrolled by September 2, 2008 ENROLL NOW! [All levels of Actors are welcome]

Hello everyone,

The Andrew Benne Actors Studio is offering specials on all of its Acting classes to make it affordable for all to study. Classes are on-going and each class meets weekly four times a month ,or eight times a month for a very discounted rate. Or, the very affordable 7 week Total Acting Immersion. Currently all Authentic Technique classes, and Professional Classes are taught by Andrew Benne. Intermediate classes are taught by Irene Muzzy.

What is covered in the 7 -Week Acting Immersion? What is Authentic Technique?

To live truthfully in imaginary circumstances and to take action in the reality of doing. Authentic Technique means just that - it’s your technique and it belongs only to you and your own individual uniqueness and essence. No two actors are alike and the training at the Andrew Benne Actors Studio is custom, individualized, and specific for you and your own personal breakthroughs. We develop good actors into great actors who are working actors.

What does Authentic Technique cover? “Get out of your head and into your body.” “To define your own point of view as an ACTOR”

Raw Moments - Listening and responding, spontaneity, and true moment-to-moment connection.

Behavior Activities - The reality of doing and the importance of making actable choices.

Technique & Film Style Improvs - Realistic relationships. How to commit and behave fully in imaginary circumstances.All improvs situations are written by Andrew Benne for each Actors personal needs.

Emotional Preparation - How to emotionally prepare yourself for any role. How to deal in specifics and personalize. How to use your imagination fully.

Public Solitude Scenes - Physical destinations, strong sense of place, and living truthfully inside the fourth wall.

Script Analysis - Actions, beats, and character study.

Professional Scene Study - Taking the Authentic Technique and transferring improv life into the written text.

Please visit www.andrewbenne.com and click on “The Work” for additional information.

To schedule a FREE AUDIT and sit in on one of Andrew’s classes: please call 818-386-5867 and leave your information there. We will contact you with availability and class schedules at that time. Thank you very much and we look forward to working with you.

Study hard. Get work.

Sincerely,

Andrew Benne Actors Studio

Andrew Benne Actors Studio 4930 Lankershim Blvd. NoHo Arts District, CA 91601 818-386-5867

Summer Special Private Acting Lessons with Andrew Benne

This Summer Andrew Benne is personally taking on just a few new students for his on-going classes, and for private acting lessons.

In the past Andrew Benne has only coached privates with Professional Actors for Audition and role preparation for film and tv projects.Many clients are current celebrities.

This Summer instead of teaching a summer program for new actors. Andrew Benne is now taking on a few private students who are newer Actors . Actors who want to work on technique ,and how to make scenes Authentic, Real, Truthful and Unique. Andrew Benne specializes in bringing out that special thing that only you have. defining your own point of view as an Actor.

Summer Special three(3) 90 minute privates with Andrew Benne $250.00

This is a rare opportunity to work with one of Hollywood’s most referred acting coach. call now space is very limited 818 386-5867

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Hello everyone,

So, I am getting the same question from actors all over the world: “Thanks for the add but I DON’T LIVE IN L.A.! SO WHY ARE YOU ADDING ME???” The answer is quite simple - you do not live in L.A. yet! I can only speak from my experience, but I have been a professional acting coach and teacher for twenty years. I have taught several working hollywood actors in that time period, some more famous than others. But, they’re still actors who make their living ACTING. If you read my bio on my actual website WWW.ACTINGCOACH.TV you will see that in 1999, I closed down my old studio Moment To Moment Studio and decided to take my “The Work” on the road to several other noted acting schools around the world. In 2001, I opened Andrew Benne Studio. To my surprise, several actors I taught on the road came to study with me in L.A., and even more important began carving out an ACTING CAREER for themselves. Many of those actors are now working in the Hollywood machine. Also, I have coached and taught several actors from all over the U.S. and abroad that were sent to me by their hometown agent who was trying out their market value as an actor. L.A. is the center for all world entertainment. There is more work here for actors than any other place in the world. But do not misunderstand me, there is also more competition here than any other place. Case in point: the writers are currently on strike and for very good reason mind you. It is also the holidays so it is slow here in L.A. Because the industry goes home for the holidays. That is why I have this time to blog. Last week one of my students and her associates held auditions for three days at my studio. The film they are doing is an improv based film with a great script outline. The casting director for this project received over twenty one thousand submissions for about 6 lead characters - TWENTY ONE THOUSAND SUBMISSIONS just in case you missed that. The film is a low budget SAG film and has even attracted several stars to the project. That is because it is slated to begin shooting in 2008 and actors need to work. So, if you are one of those actors who think you can walk into an audition and just wing it… you are crazy! This is why it is very necessary for today’s actors to have a strong sense of self and a strong acting technique behind them - a technique that is theirs and not just some dead acting teacher’s theory - their own. I am not trying to scare anyone. I hope you are those courageous actors that know you can work and support yourselves from what it is you love to do. So, this why my staff and I will keep adding actors from all over the world to our myspace page. And we are new to myspace… because if the need for you to come to L.A. happens, we want you to know you have a friend here. One of my stage managers said the other day that he knew nobody when he first got here and took some bogus acting classes before joining the studio. He said he wished he knew about us prior to his arrival to L.A. If you are a seasoned actor or even a drama freak in some high school or college, we do want you to know of us when you come to L.A. BECAUSE IF YOU REALLY WANT TO ACT, YOU HAVE TO COME HERE. Most of my studio is made up of actors who did some what I call NEW YORK time and now, because there is more work here, they are here. And its also cheaper to live here than New York AND you get a bigger place to live too! Ok, I will shut up with this… peace… have a great 2008!

ANDREW BENNE