ABOUT THIS TEACHER

I was born in the Bronx, New York and grew up on Long Island. From the time I was 5 I knew I wanted to be an actor. I graduated H.S. at 17 and went in the Navy. When I got out I started studying acting. I have had extensive training in the Meisner Technique and the Strasberg Method. I began my Meisner training at Playhouse West in North Hollywood. I received my training from it’s founder, Bob Carnegie and it was through Bob’s program that I was able to study with Sanford Meisner himself. Meeting and studying Sanford Meisner himself has not only changed my Acting/Writing/Directing & Teaching, but my life. From Mr. Meisner’s technique I learned to, “Live Moment To Moment,” “Live Truthfully,” and to “Not live in the past.”
I got to witness Mr. Meisner’s passion up close. I was also able to express my desire to act and one day teach. At the end of the course Mr. Meisner gave me a note that said: “For Tony, With my true hope for a creative and rewarding future. Sandy Meisner” And what a creative and rewarding future it has been. Also among my teachers was, James Franco (Academy Award Nominee for 127 Hours). For me, James felt like a kindred spirit. I share the passion that James has for the work. James
was also a Student of Bob Carnegie’s and studied the Meisner Technique for about 9 years. From James, I have learned the importance of taking risks in the work. One of the things that I have taken away from working with James, is that we all have the same 24 hours in a day, and it’s how you choose to use that time. That we make time for the things that are important.
And, that you don’t sit around philosophizing about how the work should be done, or find excuses for what you didn’t do. If you are passionate about acting, filming, writing, producing… You get out there and do it. Because of James’s passion for the work and for teaching, he in March of 2014, opened up his own school called, Studio4, in Los Angeles and New York. I was one of the first teachers he invited to teach at his school. I was also a part of James's web series, PLAYHOUSE and the feature film, HOLY WOOD. I feel proud to be a part of Studio4. I also studied the Strasberg Method with Charlie Laughton, who was Al Pacino’s friend and coach. Charlie was also and a major influence in my Acting/Writing/Directing & Teaching.
Charlie gave me some advice when he saw that I was having some difficulty on a scene that I was working. This piece of wisdom that Charlie gave to me not only changed the scene, but my life. Charlie told me, “Don’t attach yourself to the result... Enjoy the Journey.” This made a huge difference in the way I acted on stage and in life. I also studied the Strasberg Method from two time Academy Award Winner, Shelley Winters. I studied with Ms. Winters at the Famed, Actors Studio. Shelley was very passionate and dedicated to the work and from Shelley, I learned another way to emotionally prepare for a scene. Ms. Winters passion for the work, was also a major influence in the way I approach the work. I am grateful for gift he received from these great teachers and it has become his passion to share these gifts with his students. Other Great Teachers that I was lucky enough to study with were, Susan Peretz, Bill Alderson & Barbara Bain