Janet B. Milstein: Actor, Writer, Acting Coach

Janet B. Milstein

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Actor • Writer • Acting Coach

Scroll Down for current Workshops & Seminars in Chicago!

The short film POWER SINGLES was made for the 48 Hour Film Project.

It screened at the Portage Theater as 1 of 45 films made in Chicago for the competition.

POWER SINGLES

Written By Janet B. Milstein & Barbara Lhota

Produced by Hourglass Films

Directed by Matt Wechsler

Starring: Kristin Broadwell, Deirdre Hayes, Janet B. Milstein, Bill Redding & Andrew Shaw

RUNNER UP Best Film 2009
WINNER - Best Director
WINNER - Best Special Effects
NOMINATED - Best Screenplay
NOMINATED - Best Sound Design
NOMINATED - Best Cinematography
NOMINATED - Best Use of Character
NOMINATED - Audience Award Group C
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My two scene books & two monologue books from Smith & Kraus'
Winners' Competition Series
are now available!!

DIRECTING ACTORS WORKSHOP

Understanding the Actor’s Process, Terminology, Script Analysis & How to Effectively Give Direction

This 3.5 hour workshop is designed for directors (or anyone) to learn more about the actor's process, concepts, terminology, and how to communicate better with actors in order to become better directors. This workshop leaves the technical aspects of the camera, lights, and sound aside to hone in on the important process of directing actors. As a result of this workshop, directors will learn to communicate more effectively with actors, improve their actor-director relationships, have a better understanding of the actor’s process, and learn how to get the results they want from their actors.

Participants will all be given a scene to analyze. The scene will be broken down by learning Acting Technique & Concepts. Participants will be led through the process of analyzing a script from an actor’s point of view (as well as making directing discoveries.) Script analysis of a scene is crucial to good acting and directing and participants will build their skills and understanding of differences in the ways those on the other side of the camera may approach their work.

Participants will learn tips on how to effectively (and non-effectively) communicate with actors when giving direction.

Volunteers will then work with actors & give direction as they perform the scene.

This workshop is open to anyone who would like to learn. Writers, Actors, and Directors should find this workshop extremely valuable to their process.

Actors may sharpen their analytical and choice-making skills, as well as learn how to better take direction.

Participants will leave with a greater understanding of:

- how actors approach a script

- acting concepts and terminology

- how to communicate effectively with actors

- what kind of direction to avoid and to implement

- how to analyze a scene/script

- how to be a better director that actors will want to work with

The workshop is $16 per person in advance or $20 at the door.

The workshop will take place on Tues. Sept.14^th from 6:30-10pm at:

The Riverview Tavern

1958 W Roscoe St

Chicago, IL 60657

(773) 248-9523

I look forward to seeing you there!

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Business Seminar & Commercial Workshop

1-Day Getting Started in the Business Seminar

TOPICS COVERED:

·How do you get started in Theater, Commercials, Television & Film work?

·What are the Different Types of Theater ?
·What are Talent Agencies and Agents and what do they actually do?
·What are Personal Managers and what do they actually do?
·How much does it Cost to Sign with an Agency?
·In what Areas of Work do Agents Represent Talent?
·What are Clients?
·What are Casting Directors and what do they actually do?
·How do you get Auditions through Agents? The Path from Client to Actor.

·What is Typecasting?

·What is the difference between Union and Non-Union Agencies?
·Who's Who: Chicago Agents, Casting Directors & Extras CDs?
·What are SAG, AFTRA, & Actor's Equity and what are the Pros & Cons of Joining as well as the Requirements?
·How does the Pay Structure work with Agents?
·What should you Expect from your Agent & what will she Expect from You?
·What does it mean to Multi-list or Sign Exclusively and what are the Pros and Cons?

·What do you need to start working with a Talent Agency?

·What do you need to start auditioning for Theater?

·What is an Acting Resume and what specifically goes on it? Do's & Dont's.

·What is a Cover Letter and what goes in it?

·What are Headshots and Comp Cards?

a. Headshots - what to look for, the different kinds, where to get them done, questions to ask Photographers
b. Comp Cards - what to look for, what they are used for, do you need them, the different kinds, where to get them done, questions to ask Photographers

c. Make-up artists - to use them or not and where to find them

·What do you need to know, study, prepare to start Auditioning?

a. Slating

b. Cold Reading

c. Monologues

d. Interviewing & Proper Etiquette

·What should you include in Mailings to Theaters & Agencies?

·Acting Training: How important is it & what kind of training do you need?

·Where can you find information about local auditions?

·Things to beware of - Potential Scams
·Questions & Answers

This informative seminar is 4 hours long.

Contact Janet to sign up for the next Seminar on
8/22/10 from 1-5pm.
You may pay here to reserve a spot!

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On-Camera Intensive Commercial Workshop

Instructed by Janet Milstein, award-winning Acting Coach & best-selling Author!

Janet B. Milstein has continually coached actors that get cast in film, theater, commercials, industrials, voice-over, and commercial print in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and more!

Here are just a few of her student's successes:

FILM: Stranger Than Fiction, The Break-up, Payback starring Mel Gibson, The Even Stevens Movie, Barber Shop, Barber Shop 2, Soul Food, Chain Reaction starring Keanu Reeves, Just Visiting starring Christina Applegate, One Missed Call starring Edward Burns, The Last Airbender, An American Crime, Blood Deep, Codename: Simon, Malibu's Most Wanted, Serenity, Ancient Evil: Scream of the Mummy, The Brotherhood, Mrs. Hobbes' House, Awaken the Dead, Beyond the Soul, Roll, Bounce, Let's Go to Prison, Cover, Chicago Heights, Converging with Angels, RiffRaff, The European Kid, Iris, The Kari Files, Power Singles, Not Scene, The Turndown, Beyond the Soul, Playing Dress-up, Jaded, The New Detective, Pirates, Last Stop, Iodine Ink, Fallen, Turtle, The Big Fish Story, Rough Start, Parallel, Happily After, Two Days in Limbo, Henchmen: At Dr. Death’s Door, and more!

TV: Even Stevens, One Tree Hill, One Life to Live, Gilmore Girls, Carnivàle, Web Girl, Timeless: Live in Concert (starring Barbra Streisand), Habla más, The Giggle Club, Prison Break, ER, Roaring 20’s, and more!

Commercials: McDonald's, Pepsi, Bounty Paper Towel, Chevrolet, Miller Light, Harris Bank, Footlocker, Jordan’s, State Farm, PSP, U.S. Cellular, Toys R' Us, Virgin Mobile, Denny's Restaurant, Bright Start College Savings Fund, Time Life, Ms. Mary's Restaurant and more!

Theatre: The Goodman Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Victory Gardens, Chicago Dramatists, Raven, A Red Orchid Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Second City, The Chicago Theater, Stage Left Theatre, The Artistic Home, Bailiwick Repertory, Teatro Luna, The Birmingham Children's Stockyards Theatre Co, Free Associates, Steep Theatre Co, Sandhill Theatre Co, Village Players, Oak Park Festival Theater, Hubris Productions, The Side Project and more!

Voice-over: McDonald's, Cellular One, Com Ed and more!

Commercial/Fashion Print: McDonald's, Sears “Canyon River Blue Jeans”, JC Penney, JC Penney Bridal, Abercrombie & Fitch, Coca Cola, DeVry, Triton College, CNA Insurance, Man Alive, Real Faith in Life Magazine, Hamricks, Proffitt's Department Store, American Girl, Otis Spunkmeyer, Illinois Lotto, .

Schools for Acting: DePaul, Loyola University, Columbia College, USC, Miami University, The Chicago Academy for the Arts, William Esper Studio (NYC), University of Iowa, The American Academy for Dramatic Arts, Iowa State University and more!

The Workshop will cover:

- The different types of commercials
(MOS, Tag Line, One-liners, Dialogue, etc.)
- Slating

- Tips on working with the camera
- Breaking down the copy

- Making strong choices
- Opening actions

- Cold reading tips

Students will:

- Participate in mock auditions with different types of copy.
- Learn how to choose a strong opening action, "other", and problem that the product
solves.
- Work on their slating.

- Break down copy
- Receive feedback on the impression they make "entering the room."

- Receive feedback on how they handle direction given in mock auditions.
- Leave with an on-camera audition technique they can use for all commercial
auditions.

Contact Janet to Sign up for the next Workshop!