Cover Story

The Actor: From Biker Dude to Teacher

Ken Feinberg directs Seven Generations, which was accepted into the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

By: Ann Marie Quill

©2007 Stella's Chief Productions

Photo by: Ann Marie Quill

Ken Feinberg teaches filmmaking and acting classes at his Creative Studios of Atlanta.

Ken Feinberg has a mission. He wants the students in his acting class to find jobs.

"My master acting class is not so much about acting but about going to work. I teach them how to market themselves."

And that might mean embracing stereotypes.

"I'm 6-foot-4 with a shaved head," Feinberg says. "I wanted to do romantic roles, but I've played a lot of demons, bikers and convicts. Hollywood deals in stereotypes. I tell my actors you want to be known for something and you want to earn money. Make it easy for the casting director."

Before moving back to his hometown of Atlanta three years ago, Feinberg acted, wrote and directed in Orlando, New York and Hollywood. He's appeared in shows like Alias, Charmed, Star Trek Enterprise and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where he appeared as a "chaos demon." He directed Coming Clean, which won the Best of Festival award at the Rad Digital Film Festival in Los Angeles, in addition to directing his own father, Randy Randolph, in the Atlanta musical stage production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

But while he may look the part, Feinberg is no demon or scary bad guy. A natural teacher who has embraced the study of Kabbalah, Feinberg feels it is his duty to guide and help a younger generation of actors and filmmakers.

He owns Creative Studios of Atlanta, near Atlantic Station, which features acting, directing and screenwriting classes as well as casting services and a production facility that can be rented.

Likewise, Feinberg says that directing is a lot like teaching, and he wrote and directed two short films, Seven Generations and Hearts and Souls, which were both accepted into the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and which both feature "older characters passing on their wisdom."

He's also looking for investors to help produce films with family and spiritual themes. "When we watch a movie, we are loading info into our subconscious. Why load our mind with dark images?" he says.

People and Jezebel magazines clearly don't think Feinberg is much of a scary guy, either. He was featured in one of People's Eligible Bachelor issues in 2001, and Jezebel recently named him one of the 50 Most Beautiful People from Atlanta.

But Feinberg had to relinquish his eligible bachelor status in 2007 when he married his wife, Heather.

"The more I get to know her, the more I want to be with her," he says.

For more information on Creative Studios, call (404) 355-4588, or e-mail creativestudiosofatlanta@yahoo.com.