About CBSI:

At age 18, Clay had completed a two-year intensive program in New York at a Technical Arts School where he studied professional photography. This is where Clay developed his skilled eye for composition, lighting, and framing. After graduating, Clay advanced on to college where he continued his studies in filmmaking, acting, theatre, and the psychology of human behavior.

It was while he was in college studying acting and performing his one-man-show where Clay had been compared to another new actor on the scene named ROBIN WILLIAMS. Not knowing who Robin Williams was at the time, Clay searched out to Robin only to find him playing Mork, the lead character on the hit spin-off show Mork and Mindy. Robin impacted Clay greatly — prompting him to set out to meet this crazy and unique new talent. Clay instantly quit college, packed up his van, and headed off in search of ROBIN WILLIAMS*. A pretty wild ride!

Eventually, he found him! — In Hollywood on the Paramount lot, on the set of M&M. It was the fall of 1979. There is much more to the story, however, it did prompt Clay’s dedication to telling his life story professionally in a screenplay appropriately called, Finding Robin Williams. (DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF ROBIN WILLIAMS – 8-11-14)

After his short first visit to Hollywood (and eventually meeting Robin), Clay’s life took an interesting turn when he landed a job with a New York-based Fortune 500 Company. That entry-level position soon turned into the more prestigious position of National Instructor, Business Coach & Motivational Speaker. This decade-long run provided him with opportunities to develop advanced coaching, mentoring, and communication skills while furthering his knowledge of people, human behavior, social structures, and life overall. These are some of the core ingredients of great storytelling. This also allowed him to spend years studying under the teachings of many of the world’s greatest influencers: Napoleon Hill, Zig Ziglar, Og Mandino, W. Clement Stone, Mark Victor Hansen, Wayne Dyer, Tony Robbins, and countless others. Clay also was part of an elite group of eight company men known as… The President’s Advisory Council.

After years of extensive travel throughout the United States and twenty-two other countries, he finally landed back in Hollywood. At that point, Clay shifted his focus from the corporate business world back to his original passion — the arts. Over the following two decades, Clay went on to coach and direct thousands of actors. He’s produced and directed countless shows and eventually became the Improv Director and Comedy Coach at The World Famous Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd where he eventually recruited Robin Williams to guest-play with his improv troop.

During that time, Clay (the actor) landed the recurring role of Lt. Richardson as a series regular in the high-concept action TV show ‘LA Heat’. He’s also worked in movies, on stage, and appeared in upwards of 100 TV commercials.

Presently, Clay can be found heading up Clay Banks Productions & Studio International. CBSI is an LA-based, Empowerment Training Center, On-Camera, Film & TV Acting Studio and Independent Production Company. He teaches a powerful Meisner/Method-based on-camera film acting technique that’s strongly grounded in the art of working honestly and truthfully, moment to moment – specifically for professional on-camera work in FILM & TV. He’s exceptionally skilled at bringing out the best in people and helping them to monetize their gifts!