Sanford Meisner: The American Theatre's Best Kept Secret (1990)

A leading acting teacher who trained some of the most famous performers of the stage and screen, Sanford Meisner was a founding member of the Group Theatre. The Group Theatre, a cooperative theater ensemble, became a leading force in the theater world of the 30s. Meisner performed in many of the group’s most memorable productions.

Intro
"Sanford Meisner: The American Theatre's Finest Kept Secret" is a 1990 documentary that admires one of the most influential figures in American theatre - Sanford Meisner. Directed by Nick Doob and Joanna Coles, this film uses an extraordinary peek into Meisner's strategies, his impact on the acting world, and how he formed the trajectory of American theatre.

Content Overview
The documentary is packed with many reviews from Meisner's previous trainees, some of whom have actually become real stars, consisting of Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Gregory Peck, and Sydney Pollack. These testimonials stress Meisner's essential role in the advancement of these stars and American theatre in general. His diversity depends on his method that harmonizes intellect and instinct, triggering the star to live honestly under imaginary situations.

Meisner's Technique
The movie highlights Meisner's focus on his "repetition" exercises, focused on making actors more spontaneous and responsive in the minute, something verified by Gregory Peck, and a communication technique called "Living honestly under imaginary circumstances". The documentary brings to life the method Meisner disdained Method Acting, a system that motivates actors to use personal experiences to connect with their characters. Rather, Meisner insisted that actors need to utilize their creativity to create the feelings needed for their roles.

Meisner's Impact
The documentary highlights the huge heuristic worth Meisner's teachings continue to have in American theatre and the acting world in general. Renowned star, Robert Duvall, applauded Meisner's methods as the foundation for his success, confessing he owed his Oscar to Meisner's teachings. Similarly, Diane Keaton stressed the effect of Meisner's technique on her acting, crediting it for assisting her understand the depth and intricacy of her characters.

Legacy
Apart from shedding light on Meisner's techniques, the movie likewise discuss his legacy. At the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York, his mentors continue to motivate and advise future generations of actors. The film recommends that although Meisner might have been a covert gem in American theatre, his impact has actually resonated through decades, echoing in the efficiencies of numerous distinguished entertainers.

Conclusion
"Sanford Meisner: The American Theatre's Best Kept Secret" serves as an engaging homage to Sanford Meisner, master teacher and pioneer in the field of acting. By providing sincere testimonies from his students and revealing his original, reliable teachings, the movie showcases the extensive impact Meisner had on the acting industry. Ultimately, it exposes that while the man himself might have been a trick, his teaching methods and their influence live and growing worldwide of theatre and beyond. Although the film was released over three decades earlier, Meisner's impact and tradition remain pertinent as ever, continuing to serve as a strong structure for many contemporary actors.

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