I recently founded a new film group which is focused on creating more rolls for all types of women in film, in front of and behind the camera. Check it out.
The Sleepover
Written, Directed & Produced
by Janet B. Milstein
in Association with
Je Suis Talent & Glass City Films
BLINDSIDED, co-written/co-produced by Janet B Milstein & Barbara Lhota
Directed, Edited & Scored by Mark Lynall
The short film BLINDSIDED now has a website, a Facebook film page , an IMDb Page, a trailer and some cool behind-the-scenes footage! Please check them all out LIKE our facebook page for updates!
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.
·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.
You may pay here to reserve a spot!
Instructed by Janet Milstein, award-winning Acting Coach & best-selling Author!
Janet
B. Milsteinhas
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:
Contagion starring Matt Damon, Jude Law & Kate Winslet, 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, The Lake House, One Missed Call starring Edward Burns, The Last Airbender, The Dark Knight, An American Crime, Blood Deep, Codename: Simon, Malibu's Most Wanted, Serenity, Ancient Evil: Scream of the Mummy, The Brotherhood, Mrs. Hobbes' House, D.I.N.K.S., Merry Gentlemen, Meet the Browns, Eagle Eye, Awaken the Dead, Beyond the Soul, Roll, Bounce, Let's Go to Prison, Cover, Dedicated, Chicago Heights, Leaving Atlanta with Ben Vereen, Converging with Angels, RiffRaff, The European Kid, Iris, Blindsided, 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, Voice of the Vespers, Ephemeralbliss.com, 72h, She Wolf! Paddy's Bar, The Box, Delirium, Roadside, So Will Smiling, Fall(ing), A Penny For Your Thoughts, More Than Friends, The Whisperer, Late Rush, The Cyber Kid, Pen and Paper, The Pass Out Game, Through His Eyes, It's Always Cloudy, Ms. Lucky, Nighthawks, The Giver Should Be Thankful, Made in Chiraq, Counterfeit Luck, Dry, Chinese Jesus, Glamour, The Salesman, Denied, Pandemonium, Sam I am, L.A. Storm Zombie, Sick Day, Fading and more!
TV: The Chicago Code, 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, Roosevelt University, LoyolaUniversity, ColumbiaCollege, USC, MiamiUniversity, The ChicagoAcademy
for the Arts, William Esper Studio (NYC), University
of Iowa, The AmericanAcademy for Dramatic Arts, IowaStateUniversity 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
