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

Dear Friends,

As difficult as it is to believe, another year has flown by, leaving us shaking our heads and asking, “Where has the time gone?” As I look back and ahead, I am excited not only about the New Year and all that it holds for the Burt Reynolds Institute but also about all that was accomplished in 2014.

I am so very proud to be a part of an organization that can claim community involvement and personal investment as a part of its DNA. I would like to thank the many people who work so tirelessly to guarantee our continued success: Donna Carbone, Karen Chimato, Richard DeRosa, Amy Schulz, Carmen Magri, Sherman Roberts, Todd Vittum, and our Board of Directors to name but a few. A very special thank you to Mr. Reynolds, whose tireless devotion to “giving back” to his students has created our very special family.

Having mentioned Mr. Reynolds, I am certain that most of you have read about the upcoming auction of some of Mr. Reynolds’ vast collection of memorabilia. The auction will be held in Las Vegas on December 11 and 12. You will find complete information further along in this newsletter. Below you will find Mr. Reynolds’ personal letter to his friends and fans.

On behalf of our teachers, staff and volunteers, I would like to wish you all a wonderful holiday season filled with happy memories in the making.

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

MESSAGE FROM MR. REYNOLDS

My Dear Friends,

I have been fortunate to be a working actor on stage, screen, and television for over 50 years. Whether I'm playing Paul Crew, Gator McCluskey, Wood Newton, Jack Horner, or the Bandit Beau Darville, I have been blessed to have had your support throughout that journey. I've collected so many things that I truly adore, but at this stage of my life I find it very difficult to manage them all. The fact of the matter is that it truly is the time to downsize and for these items that I have loved over the years to find new homes where they can be cared for and appreciated.

It is bittersweet for me to let these items go but I simply no longer have room for them as I continue on this adventure. These mementos are a combination of things I found along the way: memorabilia, souvenirs, and precious gifts from friends. Regardless of whether it is a drawing from James Cagney, a painting by Henry Fonda, or just a piece of art that happened to catch my eye, they truly are my personal treasures. I've always adored my fans and I hope to share some of these precious memories with you.

-Burt

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MASTER ACTING CLASS with BURT REYNOLDS
By invitation only and based on completed application, which can be found on our website. For inquiries, please email info@burtreynoldsinstitute.org or call 561-743-9955

FUNDAMENTALS of ACTING for ADULTS
Sundays at 1PM
Whether you are a beginner, intermediate performer, or experienced actor, FoA will allow you to hone your craft in a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere. FoA is a scene study class in which students are expected to perform a ten-minute scene on stage each week. 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 dialog 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. Call 561-743-9955 to RSVP

IMPROV
Call 561-743-9955 for location and time.
Todd Vittum brings his expertise to the classroom, teaching his students to "think fast" and increase their self-confidence. For beginning and intermediate students. Call 561-743-9955 to RSVP

SATURDAY SESSIONS (IMPROV)
Saturdays at 10AM
Saturday Sessions Improv is open to adults and youngsters. Taught by master improvisational artist Todd Vittum, budding and experienced comedians ranging in age will have an opportunity to improve 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. Saturday Session Improv: where anything can happen and usually does! Adults pay $25/week and kids pay $15/week. Call (561) 743-9955 to RSVP

CREATIVE WRITING for the AUTHOR in ALL of US
Thursdays 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--both positive and negative--are offered as a means of moving a story from conception to completion. The class meets Thursday evenings at 6:30PM in the Lake Park Commission Chambers. Cost: $25/week. Call 561-743-9955 to RSVP

IMPROV-A-PROMPTER: 100% TOTALLY INTERACTIVE TELEPROMPTER CLASS
Dates TBA. Anyone who wants to sign up for this class should contact Donna at briftfinancedirector@comcast.net or call 561-743-9955 now! Class size is limited so students must RSVP ASAP. Be prepared to laugh and learn. Improv-a-Prompter is a six (6) week course taught by Patty Serrano. Cost: $150* Learn how to be the perfect pitch person/spokesperson using professional techniques and insider secrets. Become a pro at cold reads, walk and talk, working with a partner, making boring products interesting, working the camera, allowing your body to talk for you and maintaining eye contact. Master on set etiquette and learn how to pack a survival bag and why you need one. Students will not only work with prepared scripts, they will have an opportunity to write a 60-second commercial of their own. Sing a jingle! Dance a jig! Find out how to make everything from murder to mayhem to monkey business sound exciting. Look and feel like a pro! Build self confidence so that the unexpected becomes the ordinary. Call 561-743-9955 to RSVP *Payment in full--cash/check/credit card--due by first night of class.

TELEPROMPTER: A TOOL for the BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL
Call 561-743-9955 for date/time/info.
Two hour, one-on-one course. Our teleprompter proficiency course provides an opportunity to learn and grow comfortable with one of the most helpful tools used by business professionals. For the corporate executive, knowing how to use a teleprompter can enhance presentation skills and speed the climb up the ladder of success. Even those who have already successfully faced an audience will gain greater confidence from mastering this skill. Taught by Patty Serrano--owner of Little Panther Prompting--who has more than twenty years experience in film and television. Call 561-743-9955 for date/time/info.

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

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PROPERTY FROM THE LIFE AND CAREER OF BURT REYNOLDS AUCTION

Thursday December 11 and Friday December 12, 2014. Please visit https://www.juliensauctions.com/auctions/2014/burt-reynolds, or email info@juliensauctions.com or call 310-836-1818 for more information about the auction.

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.

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Lisa Soland has two Christmas Children's books out right now just in time for the holidays: The Christmas Tree Angel and The Unmade Moose. Visit https://www.LisaSoland.com for more information.

Catch Nicholas Richman, Jeff Slemmer, Stephanie Hernandez, and Amy Hoerler in the comedy webseries, Hollywood Rejects. New episode airs this Wednesday at 10:30PM EST. Check out the channel and subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/user/therealranceypants

The Cuartas Brothers film, Twelve Traditions, wins audience choice award at Indiefilmclub's I'm Not Gonna Move To L.A. The film stars Amy Hoerler and Douglas Rill.

The film, Slaphappia, with Douglas Rill and David Ausem, won Best Florida Short Film at the Florida International Film Festival (FLIFF).

The Florida International Film Festival (FLIFF) recognized Tina Pfeiffer for her ongoing commitment to Florida filmmaking by giving her an award. She was in the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival three consecutive years: 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Annya Bright recently put her training with Avery Sommers to good use by doing a musical theater show in Fort Lauderdale, where she also did stand up comedy between acts. Annya has also been crewing as a makeup artist on film sets, most recently on the comedy, Shrink Rap.

Fundamentals of Acting student, Mitch Price, plays Carl the bus driver in Bus Stop at the Barn Theatre (running January 23 - February 8, 2015). Tickets are available at the https://www.barn-theatre.com

Remember, Remember--a short play written by Cindy Morrison--was featured on November 5 onstage at the Little Munich Restaurant in Lake Worth. The play's title stems from the old English folk verse, "remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason, and plot" and focuses on the trial and execution of Guy Fawkes, the man who attempted to blow up Parliament along with King James I of England. The Dinner Theatre featured Morrison as the executioner, along with Kelly Dennehy as the Lady of the Manor and Tim Large as the Judge.

Cindy Morrison also wrote the comedy radio play, Brogue, which focuses on the Christmas holiday season and the challenges of an Irish Elf named Shannon (portrayed by Annya Bright). Differences between Shannon and Mrs. Santa Claus spiral into some good ol' Irish stick fighting between the two! The play also features Andrew Brown as the Constable and Tim Large as the Narrator.

Are you a current or former student of the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & 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 BRIFTmultimedia@gmail.com before the 25th 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 25TH OF EACH MONTH--no exceptions. We look forward to hearing about--and celebrating--your success!

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Douglas Rill ... Chairman of the Board of Directors
Todd Vittum ... Executive Director
Donna Carbone ... Managing Director/Writer
Amy Schulz ... Editor/Multimedia Coordinator

For more information about classes, events, etc, visit our website at https://www.burtreynoldsinstitute.org.

We strive to get our newsletter out to you in a timely manner at the beginning of each month. Have any suggestions, comments, ideas, musings, or complaints? Please email them to the Editor. Oh, and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Pinterest, and fan us on Facebook!

Are you a local who wants to find out about upcoming shows, events, seminars, and classes? Then you'll want to sign up for the Florida e-Blast! Click on this link to sign up today: https://bit.ly/u3ooXW or scan the QR code.

The Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to educating and involving the community and artists in all aspects of film, television, theater, live performances, film festivals, and exhibitions, as well as preserving Mr. Reynolds' memorabilia and the history of the film industry.

Burt Reynolds Institute for Film & Theatre
PO Box 264
Jupiter, FL 33458
561-743-9955 | info@burtreynoldsinstitute.org