The Burt Reynolds Institute Monthly Newsletter

NOVEMBER 2015

*Message From The Chair
*Classes & Seminars
*Headlines, Stories, & Events
*In The Spotlight
*Reynolds Wrap

Dear Friends,

The holidays are upon us and, despite the hectic pace at which we are moving toward the new year, I'm encouraged by all we have accomplished so far this year.

In just the past five months, Mr. Reynolds was awarded the Georgia Film Legend Award at the Macon Film Festival, the Film Florida Legends Tourism Ambassador Award and the Richard Farnsworth Lifetime Achievement Award by the Stuntman's Association of Motion Pictures and he was inducted into the Wild West Walk of Fame. That's darned impressive!

Four years have passed since the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre moved into its new location at the Lake Park Town Hall in Lake Park, Florida. We are enjoying our alliance with the people of this close knit community and are grateful for the support of the mayor and council. However, the dream of once again having a home of our own remains strong. To make our dream come true, we have embarked on our Dream Giveaway Sweepstakes through which one lucky winner will become the owner of a beautifully restored 1979 Trans Am autographed by the Bandit himself. To make this sweepstakes a success, we need you -- the many fans and friends of Burt Reynolds to participate. For complete details, please visit www.winbandit.com and use promo code: BANONE when purchasing tickets.

If you never had an opportunity to visit the Museum, allow me to paint you a picture: On a backdrop of scarlet and lit by crystal chandeliers, the Museum walls played host to signed photographs and posters of celebrities from the golden age of film to the present day. Glass cases displayed the hundreds of awards won by Burt Reynolds as well as props from his many famous movies, including Deliverance and Smokey and the Bandit. The main stage anchored it all with plays and concerts featuring many of Mr. Reynolds' good friends and our own talented actors.

Even though the public has been denied the pleasure of seeing Mr. Reynolds' collection for the past three years, they haven't forgotten. Every day Managing Director Donna Carbone receives phone calls asking when we will again open our doors. Her answer is always "soon" and thanks to the Dream Giveaway soon is getting closer. Imagine helping to create a lasting legacy to a man who has provided 55 years of enjoyment for you and your families.

The Burt Reynolds Institute continues to offer acting, improvisation, writing and filmmaking classes for both adults and children. Recent additions to the course curriculum include Fundamentals of Acting with Sherman Roberts, Creative Writing moderated by Donna Carbone, Teleprompter Proficiency with Patty Serrano, Side by Side - an improvisation class in which adults and young actors work together - under the guidance of Todd Vittum, and Acting for the Camera with Joann Pflug. Unlike most schools, we are not about profit. With Burt Reynolds' philosophy of "giving back" for the good fortune in his life, classes are low priced, making them affordable to everyone. Our goal is to help people keep their dreams alive and, maybe, even realize them with a little help from their friends at the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre.

Burt Reynolds Sighting: The Bandit will be appearing at Fall Florida AutoFest at the Sun n' Fun Complex in Lakeland, Florida hosted by Carlisle Events. He will be signing autographs and greeting fans on Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14.

Friday's session will be from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday's from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, Mr. Reynolds will return to the complex on Saturday evening at 7:00 pm for a Q&A; and to introduce a drive-in movie screening of Smokey and the Bandit. Information on Fall Florida AutoFest can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

For more information on the Burt Reynolds Institute and our Dream Giveaway Sweepstakes, call 561 743-9955.

Douglas Rill
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre

MASTER ACTING CLASS with Burt Reynolds
By invitation only. Students must complete a required number of Fundamentals of Acting classes and reach a certain level of expertise. For inquiries, please email Donna Carbone at info@burtreynoldsinstitute.org or call 561-743-9955.

FUNDAMENTALS of ACTING for ADULTS with Sherman Roberts
Sundays at 1PM Fundamentals of Acting continues to fill the Mirror Ballroom with actors at every level of expertise. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate performer, or experienced actor, Fundamentals will allow you to hone your craft in a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere. This is a scene study class in which students are given the opportunity to perform a ten minute scene on stage each week followed by redirect from the instructor, Sherman Roberts. Roberts, who is a member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA, has appeared in a variety of roles on stage, in film and on network television. He teaches student how to choose the right material, how to interpret dialogue so that the spoken word is true to what the author has written, character development and body language. The class meets every Sunday at 1PM. The cost is $25/week.

IMPROVISATION PLUS with Todd Vittum
Thursdays at 7:30PM Improvisation Plus, taught by master improvisational artist Todd Vittum, offers budding and experienced comedians an opportunity to hone their impromptu speaking and acting skills. Vittum has been teaching Improv for many years and is himself an experienced performer. He has designed innovative scenarios that make the imagination come alive. Under his excellent tutelage, laughter and learning go hand in hand. The class meets on Thursday evenings at 7:30PM in the Mirror Ballroom. Cost: $25/week.

SIDE-BY-SIDE (IMPROV) with Todd Vittum
Saturdays from 10AM-noon Todd Vittum teaches the ever popular Side-By-Side on Saturday mornings from 10AM to noon. This class offers adults and children between the ages of 10 and 15 an opportunity to share the stage in a nurturing and fun environment. The class incorporates monologue delivery, scene study, and improvisation for a well-rounded experience. Cost: $20/week.

CREATIVE WRITING for the AUTHOR in ALL of US with Donna Carbone
Tuesdays at 6:30PM Creative Writing for the Author in All of Us is a weekly offering for everyone with a story to tell. Whether you are writing a novel, short narrative, screenplay, stage play or poem, if words are your oxygen, this is the class for you. Under the instruction of author/journalist Donna Carbone, the class utilizes a supportive “think tank” structure. Each week writers present their work, which is read and shared with the class. Critiques are offered as a means of moving a story from conception to completion. The class meets on Tuesday evenings at 6:30PM in the Commission Chambers. Cost: $25/week. Limit: 10 students.

SCENE STUDY and CHARACTER ANALYSIS with Todd Vittum
Mondays at 7PM (except for the first Monday of each month) Todd Vittum teaches an advanced class in scene study and character analysis, which includes intermediate and advanced acting techniques. The class will be offered three Monday evenings a month. Please note that there will NOT be a class on the first Monday of each month. There WILL BE classes on the second, third, and fourth Mondays of each month. The off week will give students an opportunity to perfect whatever scene or monologue they are working on for presentation in class. Students are required to bring their own scenes and should provide three copies—one for the student, one for the scene partner, and one for the instructor. Learning to choose material that is right for you is part of your training. If you have any questions, the instructor will be able to help you decide on the proper material. A 2-3 minute monologue is required for the first class. This class will allow actors to hone their acting skills while providing an opportunity to study scene structure and character development. Scene study is the foundation of all performance and is instrumental if actors are to develop an emotional connection to the character they are portraying. Scene study is also used to teach the vocabulary of acting and how to respond to a director’s instructions. Character analysis helps an actor to understand the role they are playing. To be successful, an actor must replace their personality with that of the character being portrayed. However, it is still necessary for an actor to allow their natural emotional response to a situation to show through at appropriate times. The ability to blend the real and the imagined creates a more stable and dynamic character. For the moment, the class will be held in in the Commission Chambers. Cost: $25/week.

TELEPROMPTER for the ACTING PROFESSIONAL with Patty Serrano
Sundays from 1:30PM to 3:30PM Learn how to be the perfect pitch person/spokesperson using professional techniques and insiders secrets in this six-week interactive course. Become a pro at cold reads and in depth presentations. Becomes friends with the camera—put your body and face to work for you. Become proficient at walk and talk, partner pairing and turning boring into brilliant. Master on set etiquette and understand the importance of packing a survival bag. Look and feel like a pro! Class size limited. Cost: $150.

Please note: prior registration and RSVP are required for all classes, seminars, and workshops--as some have limited enrollment. Class times/locations subject to change. For information and registration, please contact Donna Carbone at 561-743-9955 or email info@burtreynoldsinstitute.org to RSVP now.

Burt Reynolds Institute classes and seminars are held at Lake Park Town Hall (Mirror Ballroom), 535 Park Avenue, Lake Park, FL 33403. Please note, this is not the mailing address. The mailing address is: PO Box 264, Jupiter, FL 33458

BURT REYNOLDS TO APPEAR AT FALL FLORIDA AUTOFEST!
HOLLYWOOD ICON ONSITE FRIDAY AND SATURDAY OF EVENT WEEKEND

When Carlisle Events said its move to Lakeland was to bring you a bigger and better show, we meant it! Just announced, the legendary Burt Reynolds is coming to Fall Florida AutoFest.

Reynolds is a long time star of stage and screen, appearing in nearly 200 films and multiple TV shows. Although Reynolds name and face has graced many worthy movies, he will forever be remembered as the charming, devil-may-care Bo “Bandit” Darville in the 1977 pop culture hit Smokey and the Bandit.

Reynolds will be onsite Friday and Saturday (11/13 and 11/14) hosting multiple autograph sessions. Friday’s session is from 1PM to 4:30PM and Saturday’s is from 10AM to 4PM In addition, Reynolds will return to the complex after a brief break Saturday evening from 6:45PM to 7:45PM to introduce a drive-in movie screening of Smokey and the Bandit.

Carlisle Events anticipates a line, so a "Bandit Pass" has been established. For a donation to New Beginning Children’s Homes and the Bandit Dream Giveaway, you can move to the front of the line for the one on one with Reynolds. This can be done onsite only at his appearance area. Also, a fee will apply for any merchandise purchased at the signing. Finally, additional displays promoted are subject to change without notice.

LISTING DETAILS: November 12-15, 2015 Adult Admission: $10 Daily Event Pass $30 Gate Times: Thursday-Saturday 8AM-6PM, Sunday 8AM-3PM FREE PARKING ALL DAYS Address: SUN 'n FUN Complex Lakeland Linder Airport 4175 Medulla Road Lakeland, FL 33811 Visit: CarlisleEvents.com for more information.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF BURT'S NEW MEMOIR NOW!
CLICK HERE TO ORDER

This memoir tells his story through the people he’s encountered on his amazing journey. In his words, he plans to “call out the assholes,” try to make amends for “being the asshole myself on too many occasions,” and pay homage to the many heroes he has come to love and respect. This is a must read for each and every Burt Reynolds fan.

If you have not yet pre-ordered your copy of Burt Reynolds’ new memoir, But Enough About Me, orders can be placed at www.amazon.com/But-Enough-About-Me-Memoir/dp/0399173544.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING MADE EASY! VISIT WWW.BURTREYNOLDSINSTITUTEAPPAREL.ORG

Check out our e-shop at www.burtreynoldsinstituteapparel.org and purchase awesome items for you and/or your loved ones! Great gifts for you, your family, and friends! NEW ITEM: hoodies for the fall!

BURT REYNOLDS INSTITUTE ACTORS NEEDED FOR STAGED READINGS

Creative Writing for the Author in All of Us students have been enjoying the talents of the Burt Reynolds Institute actors during the twice-a-month staged readings. Scripts under development are presented in staged reading format so that writers can hear how their words will sound when delivered on film. This allows for questions and feedback from the actors which benefit the writers during the editing process. Both actors and writers have been enjoying their time together and have gained a new respect for the effort it takes to bring a script from conception to completion. Actors wishing to participate in these readings should contact Donna at info@burtreynoldsinstitute.org or by calling 561-743-9955.

On October 30th Cindy Morrison presented a theatrical reading of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven". She also presented her now released Anthology "The Passion of Poe" that features some of the works from this American author. The presentation took place at the CGMS Gallery in Lake Worth Florida.

The Women’s Caucus for Art (WCA) will feature Cindy Morrison in their “Women Do it!” Art exhibit promoting gender equality and women’s rights. Cindy is recognized by the WCA art display for her historic feats within the Highland games in Scotland as well as being the founding director of Palm Beach Jousting after winning 3 International championships in the sport. This exhibit will appear at the following venues and dates: Torpedo Factory Art Center, Washington DC, February 2016 Women's History Month Exhibition, St. Louis Florissant Valley College, March 2016 Arc Project Gallery, San Francisco, CA May 7 - June 4, 2016.

A World of Pleasure--written by Frederick Stroppel and directed by Guisela Moro--won the Audience Choice Award at the Treasure Coast International Film Festival. The film also won the Spirit of the Independent Award at the 2014 Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival. The film stars Tina Pfeiffer, Steven Mairano, and David Ausem.

The short comedy, Dinosaur, has been accepted to the Florida International Film Festival. The film, written and directed by Ann Fishman, stars Alan Myles Heyman, Rhonda Stearns, and Mindy Acevedo. The festival runs from November 6 - 22.

The Property Known As Garland, written by Billy Van Zandt and Directed by Burt Reynolds, will be presented at the Palm Beaches Theater home of the Palm Beach International Film Festival. Lee Marlow will star in this adaptation creating a one woman show. She has been working with Mr Reynolds in his Master Acting Class for years. Read about the play and purchase tickets by clicking here: https://theatre.pbifilmfest.org/events.php?id=17. This work is a tribute to Judy Garland's life, her stories, her loves, her passions, and her incredible talent. Thursday, November 12 - Sunday, November 15 at The Palm Beaches Theatre, 262 South Ocean Blvd., Manalapan.

Fundamentals of Acting student Ay Langdon served as an Ambassador for a new line of Turkish jewelry on the Home Shopping Network (HSN). The show aired on October 19.

Ben Paden, another of our Fundamentals of Acting students, has been cast in two Palm Beach Atlantic student films... Forward directed by Renata Zarro and Dawn of Grace directed by Curtis McParland. He also has a part in the short film called Monstertown.

Amy Hoerler stars alongside Mark Ashworth and Thomas Alvarez in The Cannibal, written and directed by Jonathan Cuartas and produced by Bryan Benitez. The film includes Douglas Rill in a supporting role.

Alan Myles Heyman, Amy Hoerler, Douglas Rill, and James Ferrigno have joined the cast of Monkey's Paw, written and directed by Ana Mateo and produced by Manny Garcia. The film shoots the second week of this month.

Are you a current or former student of the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre or the Burt Reynolds Institute for Theatre Training? If so, we would love to hear from you! Simply write a one to two paragraph blurb and drop us an email at info@burtreynoldsinstitute.org before the 25 of each month (subject line: "In The Spotlight") and let us know what projects you are working on or have completed. PLEASE, NO EXTRA WORK!

SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE THE 25 OF EACH MONTH—no exceptions. We look forward to hearing about—and celebrating—your success!