James Franco's new job: acting head

The entertainment hub that is James Franco is set to helm a new acting school in LA, which will teach the Meisner technique

Mortarboard optional … James Franco. Photograph: David Fisher/Rex

He is already an actor, director, screenwriter, producer, author and erstwhile star of daytime soap opera General Hospital. Now James Franco is to add headmaster to his CV, after announcing the launch of a new acting school in Los Angeles.

Studio 4, which is set to open imminently at the Sherry theatre, will teach students the Meisner acting technique via twice-weekly classes,according to Deadline. Franco and a number of guest teachers will work with students.

The acting school is being set up in association with Playhouse West, which was the original home of the Meisner technique's creator, Sanford Meisner. The technique, a form of method acting, has been described as "teaching students to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances". It has been taught to Hollywood luminaries from Steve McQueen to Gregory Peck and Robert Duvall.

Meisner taught classes at Playhouse West in LA from 1987 onwards. He died in 1997 at the age of 91.

Students at Studio 4 will be treated to a number of Q&As and "scene nights", with Franco using his connections to draw in Hollywood professionals. They will also be given the opportunity to audition for roles in the actor-director's own films via his Rabbit Bandini production company. The school charges a tuition fee of $300 per month.

A new website for the school states: "In addition to outstanding teachers, the students will have the opportunity to showcase their acting talents in front of James, one of the industry's busiest directors and actors. Rabbit Bandini and James will cast roles directly from his classes, and will involve his students in a variety of his film and art projects.