Unlock the secrets of film acting in this immersive eight-day intensive at the University of Montana Western! Led by the Scott Trost and Stephen Alan Seder, this series of experiential workshops takes you deep into the heart of the Meisner Technique while focusing on the art of filmmaking.
You’ll learn not only how to prepare for a film shoot, but also how to master the art of acting for the camera. Learn how to adjust to focal lengths, angles, and movement for your performance. This intensive culminates in rigorous scene work that is captured on film and then analyzed in a critical response session where students see how editing and stylistic choices can elevate their performances. Don’t miss this chance to sharpen your skills and bring your on-screen presence to life!
Registration and Check-In: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Introductions & Overview
Rehearsal: Learning the Process
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Evening Session: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Filmmaking Basics: Pre-Production, Shooting, Editing
Breakfast: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Rehearsal: Scene One
Lunch: 11:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Film Shoot: Scene One
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Evening Session: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Editing and Feedback Session: Scene One
Pre-Production for Scene Two
Breakfast: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Rehearsal: Scene Two
Lunch: 11:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Film Shoot: Scene Two
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Evening Session: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Editing and Feedback Session: Scene Two
Pre-Production for Scene Three
Breakfast: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Rehearsal: Scene Three
Lunch: 11:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Film Shoot: Scene Three
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Evening Session: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Editing and Feedback Session: Scene Three
Pre-Production for Final Scene Work
Breakfast: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Rehearsal: Final Scene Work
Lunch: 11:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Rehearsal: Final Scene Work
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Evening Session: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Rehearsal: Final Scene Work
Breakfast: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Film Shoot: Final Scene Work
Lunch: 11:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Film Shoot: Final Scene Work
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Evening Session: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Film Shoot: Final Scene Work
Breakfast: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Editing Session: Final Scene Work
Lunch: 11:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Editing Session: Final Scene Work
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Evening Session: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Editing Session: Final Scene Work
Breakfast: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Editing Session: Final Scene Work
Lunch: 11:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Final Feedback Session: Review Performances with Critical Response
Final Discussion and Closing Remarks
Departure
Registration: $400 per/person
Single Housing: $38 per/person per/night (for non-local) (7 nights) ($266)
Double Housing: $32 per/person per/night (for non-local (7 nights) ($224)
Food: approx. $33 per/person per/day for Dining Hall expenses (7 days) ($231)
Maximum Cost, Non-Local: $897
Minimum Cost, Non-Local: $624
Maximum Cost, Local: $631
Minimum Cost, Local: $400
Limited Scholarships Available for UMW Students and High-School Seniors.
Scott Trost is executive director of the Meisner Institute, an international research & training center for the performing arts.
Trost has taught acting for the last 25 years – including in Azerbaijan, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, UK and USA.
Trost is an award-winning actor, writer, director, and producer. Trost’s stage, film and TV credits include his collaboration on the Oscar-nominated film, Little Surprises. His book about the entertainment industry, All You Need to Know About the Movie & TV Business, was published by Simon & Schuster. He co-authored the definitive biography of Sanford Meisner, De Tree a We.
Trost is a licensed attorney who has dedicated his work to women’s rights, union rights, and civil rights. He wrote the first- ever domestic violence legal manual and represented hundreds of domestic violence victims. He authored the book, Mesothelioma: A Handbook for Patients and their Families. He worked with emotionally impaired children and as a suicide crisis and rape crisis counselor.
Trost received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Goodman School of Drama and studied with Anthony Hopkins and other great English actors and directors as a fellow at the National Theatre in London. Trost holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of lowa.
Stephen is an interdisciplinary theatre and media artist who focuses on performance creation, dialect training, somatic engagement, immersive design, and storytelling. He has upheld a versatile career for over 10 years and continues to maintain a vibrant creative practice in both theatre and film. As a Certified Meisner Teacher through the globally based Meisner Institute, he interacts with theatre educators from all over the world. He also holds a Consent-Forward Artist Certificate from the Intimacy Directors and Coordinators organization.
Previously, Stephen was an adjunct instructor of theatre for Carroll College. For ten years, he performed with the Virginia City Players (a Melodrama and Vaudeville playhouse in southern Montana). He has worked for companies such as the Post Playhouse, Myrna Loy Center, Helena Theatre Company, Grandstreet Theatre, Blue Slipper Theatre, Billings Studio Theatre, Gateway Playhouse, and Fort Peck Summer Theatre. Some of his prior work in film includes A24’s The Ballad of Lefty Brown, TEDx Carroll College, TEDx University of Montana Western, and Laura, Lost winner of the 2016 ToHorror Film Festival in Italy. His recent short film Runaways premiered at the 2023 Wyoming International Film Festival. It was also selected for screening at the 307 International Film Festival, and South Carolina Underground Film Festival.
Stephen earned his Master of Fine Arts from Goddard College where he studied Interdisciplinary Arts. His praxis in performance creation explores the intersections of somatic engagement, social justice, feminism, disability, and trauma.
Outside of theatre, Stephen owns his own film production company called SederMedia LLC where he creates short films, corporate promotions, and other photography services.
