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SCHOOL NEWS

November 2004

COAST TO COAST

Brad Carlson, a graduate of both the Professional Modeling class and the TV Acting class, recently returned from LA where he worked on the film “Cemetery Gates.” The film is an action/horror about a genetically mutated Tasmanian devil that is set loose in a woodland cemetery. The movie also stars Reggie Bannister (who starred in the 1979 horror, Phantasm) and Howard Berger (who has worked for nearly twenty years as an actor, puppeteer, and special-effects makeup artist on several major films, including Kill Bill Vol. I & II, Pulp Fiction, Men in Black, Cabin Fever, and Vanilla Sky). “Cemetery Gates” will be opening in Europe.

Brad also had a speaking role last month on the WB’s hit show One Tree Hill. While shooting the episode, Brad got to hang out with the entire cast, including – okay girls, hold your breath – Chad Michael Murray! The episode, called “The Truth Doesn’t Make a Noise,” aired on September 28^th.

To cover all the industry mediums, Brad also shot a print layout for a Paris clothing line that can be seen on Baatoure.com.

Lisa Maile Acting Grad, Shannon McGinnis, graduated from UCF in December 2003 with a major in Interpersonal Communications and a minor in Theater. Following her graduation, she accepted a three-month internship with a production company in New York City. This Oviedo native found so much success in the city that she decided to stay when her internship was over. Shannon now calls the Big Apple home.

After auditioning twice for the role, Sharon was cast as “Amanda” on an episode of NBC’s hit show, Law & Order: Criminal Intent. The episode, entitled “Want,” was inspired by the Jeffrey Dahmer case, and also starred Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser!). “Want” aired on Sunday, October 10^th.

IN THE NEWS

In honor of the political season, we begin "IN THE NEWS" with a tribute to two very impressive Image graduates who are making their presence known in our nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

Campbell Barks is a '97 Lake Mary H. S. Honors grad, where she was active in student government (V.P. of the student body), Homecoming Queen, and on the Varsity Water Polo & Swim teams. She also graduated with honors from the University of Virginia, '01, (Economics major, Biology minor), receiving the Mary Hall citizenship & Bank of America academic scholarships. She completed her fall semester at the University of Brisbane in Australia, where she studied environmental economics.

After college graduation, Campbell knew she wanted to make a difference in the world, so after researching on the internet, she found a needy area in Guatemala. Campbell independently raised $17,000 to travel to Guatemala City in Central America, where she volunteered for 8 months teaching 9th grade English, Earth Science and Algebra. She also tutored her students in nutrition and started their first exercise class. When it was time to return, Campbell graciously left thousands of dollars with the villagers in this primitive area for necessary home improvements.

Campbell enrolled in our Executive Image program, and worked privately with Lisa on interview skills to prepare for her dream job: working at the White House. She interviewed on Pennsylvania Avenue in Feb. '03 and began as a gift analyst at The White House in April of last year, working as ambassador to the general public for gift donors. This year, Campbell was promoted to Associate Director of Gifting and now oversees and directs a staff of interns, deals with the State Department concerning foreign officials' Presidential gifts, and drafts thank you letters for the President. "On occasion, our letters are redundant, as I may discover the President has written his own when time permits on Air Force One", confesses this hard-working 25-year-old.

Campbell admits she enjoys the outreach to American citizens across the nation as much as foreign dignitaries, such as the 2nd grader from St. Louis who recently sent the President a Monday night football ticket along with an invitation to attend the omitted Oct. 18 game. "Unfortunately, the President's schedule wouldn't allow him to attend, but when I called the young boy and his parents, they didn't know their son had taken the ticket from his dad's desk! His mom told me her son volunteered to present a speech about the President at school when the class was learning about elections, then came home announcing President Bush would carry the second grade!" (Of course, Campbell returned the ticket!)

This creative young lady also has her own jewelry business, “Belle" ("beauty" in French), designing and making custom chunky, bold necklaces and earrings that can be seen throughout the White House. Business is good, and Campbell hopes to expand soon to central Florida. What's next for this smart young professional? "I serve at the pleasure of the President, so I hope to work here for the next 4 years!" she says with a grin. While with her dream employer, she's enrolled in Masters-level courses in Human & Global Security at American University in Washington, D.C., studying toward a degree in International Development. "Long-term, I'd like to help the women of Central America make a viable wage by selling their goods to America", she tells us. That's Campbell Barks and her upbeat, positive spirit as it continues to impact the world!

Suzanne Loflin had just graduated from Boone H.S., where she was Senior Class Secretary and a member of the Bravettes (dance squad), when she enrolled in the Image course at Lisa Maile the summer of 1984. This led to success in Miss America preliminaries, which helped to finance her UCF Political Science degree, with a major in U.S. defense policy and a minor in Soviet Studies.

While in college, this cheerleader was also a Student Government Senator and pledged Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. Suzanne can remember the exact moment, at age 19, while in U.S. Defense Policies Toward Asia class, that she decided to have a career in developing U.S. defense policies with a focus on China. She balanced these serious studies, getting her performance "fix" throughout college by working in the Entertainment Department at Walt Disney World.

After graduating from UCF, she moved to Virginia Beach, working for the City of Virginia Beach Public Schools for two years as a homebound instructor. During that time she visited students with emotional and physical challenges, and offered her own personal brand of coaching. In 1990, she married Kevin Ross, a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy.

Suzanne continued to pursue her academic career and received a Certificate of Study in Military History and Strategy from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, followed by a Masters in Social Science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. And then, with ALL this education, Suzanne Ross began an 8-year career volunteering for various causes with the Submarine Officers Wives Club. She was also President of the Zeta alumni chapter in Virginia Beach as well as the Membership advisor to the Zeta collegiate chapter at Old Dominion University.

She began working on Capitol Hill in December 1998. Her first real "job" in DC was answering phones in a Senator's office, where she was promoted twice in less than a year. However, Suzanne considers the start of her career in November 1999 when she began serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee. First she was Staff Assistant to the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, and then Research Assistant on the Personnel Subcommittee, focusing on military healthcare. In Feb 2002, Suzanne left the Hill for the Pentagon when she was appointed by the White House to serve as Confidential Assistant to the Honorable R. Les Brownlee, the Acting Secretary of the Army. After serving 2 years, she was honored (& overwhelmed!) to receive the US Army's Outstanding Civilian Service Award in a special surprise ceremony.

Suzanne was appointed to be a Defense Fellow in the Office of the Secretary of Defense/International Security Affairs by President Bush in February of this year. She is assigned to the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs, and serves as the Country Director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia. Her duties and responsibilities are to insure the Administration's goals are met and furthered in the defense security cooperation relationships with those countries. Her position takes her to Beijing, Taipei, and Ulaan Bataar (capital of Mongolia) with rewarding opportunities to work with the senior defense officials from these countries.

Suzanne’s love for Asian culture stems from her own roots. Suzanne's father, was career Air Force, marrying her mother who's 1/2 Chinese & 1/2 Japanese. The family was stationed in Japan and Taiwan. "I've always had a love for Asian culture and languages" says this patriot, who regularly works late into the evenings, especially when husband Kevin, who's voluntarily extended his stay in Iraq twice, is away.

We know diplomatic relations can only benefit with Suzanne contributing. We are so proud that our friends in China, Taiwan, and Mongolia know you as a representative of our Nation!

More…In the News!

Acting Grad Barry White called us with some good news! Barry can be seen in commercials shown all over town for Sonny’s Barbeque, Disney and Disney Cruise Lines. Barry was excited to tell us that McDonalds is using part of his Disney commercial in their new Chicken McNuggets spot. What this means is that Barry will be paid for this new commercial, without having to work again! Now, that’s easy money!

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Adult Acting Grad, Carol Bailey, wrote to tell us:

I just wanted to let you know I just shot a commercial for Kash 'n Karry in Tampa. They kept commenting on how professional I was - and after 6+ years as a LM student, the lessons I learned are still being practiced. Thanks again.

Oh-- and Carol’s SAG McDonald's commercial has been airing for 2 weeks now!

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Great news from the Maio Family! Johnny (CA Grad), Brenna (CA Grad), and Alyssa (TA Grad) all appeared in the original film, “Stem.” Johnny was a principal. In addition to that, all three Maios were selected for a Disney commercial to promote the new “Stitch” ride. Johnny and Alyssa also appeared in “Insta-Life” (Candle Fish Pictures), and Johnny worked on “Mr. Malikai Battles the Aeroplane” (a UCF Thesis film). Wow, that’s a lot! And on top of their busy schedules, they’ve all found time to take advanced classes this month at Lisa Maile!

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If you happened to be at the Southern Woman’s Show this past weekend, you probably saw Steinmart’s “Modesty Dressing” Runway Fashion Show. The show promoted modesty dressing in teenage girls, showing that you can find fashionable, yet conservative, clothes. The goal was to prove that teenage girls can be confident in who they are, without showing a lot of skin.

All of the models were graduates from the Image and Confidence Development Program and The Professional Modeling program. The show’s beautiful models included:

Kim Thompson, Rachel Leitzke, Brittany Thompson, Olivia Shirek, Tarea Williams, Breanne Brock, Rebecca Hoffman, Sarah Pope, Kaitlyn Chana, and  Bryanne Ricci.

Way to go girls!

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Grad Brooke Horn spent three weeks in Europe as a student ambassador. She even did an acting workshop in England – great job, Brooke!

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Joy Walker can be seen on EPSN in a Buick commercial with Tiger Woods. Not only that, but she also booked a role on the Showtime hit “The L Word,” and will be filming down in Key West! Way to go!

SPECIAL KUDOS

Brittany McDaniel has had a very busy month! She performed at a local CMA jam in early October, and a week after that she met country superstar Trace Adkins at the Ocoee Founder’s Day celebration. Brittany was also awarded the Florida Country Music Association state title, “Junior Female Vocalist of the Year.” Academically, she was selected as President of the National Junior Honor Society at Page School, and was also selected as a “Disney Dreamer and Doer”.  Keep up the great work, Brittany!

Congratulations are also in order for Rebecca Chisholm, who was named Florida State Pre-teen American Coed “Most Promising Model.” Way to go, Rebecca!

At a fundraiser Gala for the Red Cross, Breanne Morgan sang the National Anthem, and later performed “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand” by Diana Ross. Breanne will also be performing in the Henegar Center Holiday Show in Melbourne. Out of a cast of 40, Breanne is the only child! The show will run December 10^th through the 19^th. Break a leg!

We heard some very exciting news from grad Joe Benton– he just booked his first national SAG commercial, for Kia! This is his first national booking since his move out to LA about 3 years ago. Congrats!

Special points of interest:

Do we have your correct email address? Let us know.

Check out Professional Modeling Graduates performing Informal Modeling in the Mall at Millennia on Friday November 5th from 5-8 for their monthly event called FIRST FRIDAY.

Interested in our advanced programs? Call the school for the upcoming dates!

Need resume material? Check out our audition board!

The Lisa Maile School now offers a full line of cosmetics! Call Lisa Armstrong at 407-894-9989 for more information, or to set up a private consultation.

Do you want to put your videos on to a DVD? Call our school videographer, Phil Calfree at 407-415-6345 for assistance.

Need to make up a missed class? If so, call Laura Brown at the school, or email her at laurab@lisamaile.org.

FIGHTING NEGATIVITY

By Kevin James O’Niell

Whether you’re very new to the business or a veteran, you’re bound to experience negativity at some point in your career. I find that it doesn’t happen as often when you’re booking. It will probably happen when you’re between work...or not booking. The first thing you have to understand is why it happens in the first place.

According to the dictionary negativity is described as “lacking positive qualities.” The word positive simply means “confident.” It’s easy to be confident when you’re booking. In fact, I find that actors are very confident when they have several commercials running. But what are you supposed to do when you’re not booking? How are we supposed to deal with the overwhelming feelings that are associated with negativity? I can talk about this subject because I’ve personally dealt with this problem. I learned how to deal with it because I had to. I had been living in Los Angeles for about three months when I booked my first national commercial for Century 21. It wasn’t your average commercial because they made a 60, 30 and 15 second commercial out of the days shooting. Within two months of shooting I had a check for $6,500.00 and that year I made $65,000.00 for that one commercial. I found it pretty easy to be positive that year. In fact, the next year I had that same commercial running along with two more nationals for Jiffy Lube and Miller Lite Beer. I won’t bother you with my total income for that year. The point is that the next year, I made “nothing.” That’s right, zero. And that went on for two years.

Now, to put things into perspective, on average, I went to five auditions a day, five days a week. During audition season that added up to over a hundred auditions a year. In two years I had gone on over two hundred auditions, with no results. I had to do some deep soul searching which resulted in my taking partial blame for the loss of work. I say partial because I was not at fault for the inevitable change in the “look” that happens periodically in this business. I was responsible for getting “too comfortable” in my auditions. I got a little bit too confident and that probably started to show in my work. So, what did I do? I questioned myself about my original intentions for being in the business in the first place. I remembered that I made the choice to become an actor. I reminded myself that I loved this business and was willing to accept everything associated with it. I talked with actor friends about their experiences with loss of work. I started treating all auditions with the same enthusiasm I had in the beginning. Then I did one of the most important things an actor can do when in this “business.” I got a “life.”

Everyone has hobbies. However, they tend to take a back seat while pursuing the acting career. I started enjoying my many hobbies again. I found I was not dwelling on the lack of work and started to relieve the stress associated with it. Eventually, the work began to come in again. So, my advice to you is, enjoy the whole process. If you’re not already exercising, start. It’s the best stress relief there is. Enjoy life while you can, and in turn you’ll enjoy the auditions as well as the resulting work.

Upcoming Seminars

& Class Start Dates

Adult Acting

Monday, November 15^th

Teen Acting

Saturday, November 20^th

Image

Thursday, December 2^nd

Saturday, December 11^th

Children’s Acting 4-6

Tuesday, November 9^th

Children’s Acting 7-10

Saturday, December 4^th

Adv Children’s Acting

Saturday, November 6^th

Children’s Modeling

Wednesday, November 3^rd

Professional Modeling

Tuesday, December 7^th

Improv

Wednesday, November 10^th

Advanced Improv

Thursday, January 13^th

November Seminar

Thursday, Nov, 18th

Leslie Windram Q&A

(see page 7)

Monday, December 6th

Breaking into the Industry

Thursday, December 9th

IN PRINT

Luis Antonio – Epcot, Grand Floridian

Brianna Beard – Harcourt Brace

Payton Bragg – Orlando Leisure Magazine

Laura Brown – Millenia Messenger, Disney

Cassandra Butler – Orlando Leisure Magazine

Charlotte Clark – Millenia Messenger

Malorie Clark – Disney

Megan Clark - Disney

Amy Cotanche - Disney

Halee Davis – Celebration Master of Arts, Disney

Janean Davis – Celebration Master of Arts, Epcot, Disney

Kimberly Dewar – Orlando Leisure Magazine

Melissa Falk – Millenia Messenger

Barbara Fuller – Disney

Nicole Fuller – Disney

Lauren Gall – Orlando Leisure Magazine

Kaitlyn Garrison – Orlando Leisure Magazine

Mike Goodman – Epcot

Megan Gunsallus – Registry Resort Naples

Nina Haine – Millenia Messenger

Lindsay Hardee – Disney

Chevy Harrington – Harcourt Brace

Sarita Harty – Disney

Katie Hendrichsen – Leo’s Dancewear

Tom Hodkoski – Royal Pacific

Julie Honohan - Disney

Brooke Horn – Boston Whaler Boats, Maxum Boats

Terran Houston – Disney, Epcot

Kristie Jordan – Disney

Arielle Kebbel – Vegas Magazine, LA Confidential Magazine

Caroline King – Animal Kingdom

Hortense Knowles – Oak Hammock, University of Florida, Publix

Cindy Laberinto – Disney, Grande Floridian

Tiana LaBianco – Harcourt Brace

Michelle LaBret – Harcourt Brace

JoAnne Langer – Glenridge Retirement, Florida Magazine

Mitchell Lassiter – Disney

Jenny Lyzinski - Disney

Mollie Morgeson – Orlando Leisure Magazine

Olivia Shirek – Millenia Messenger

Justin Smith – Hard Rock Hotel

Jamie Steck – Orlando Leisure Magazine

Casey Theodorsen – Orlando Leisure Magazine

Rachel Titen – Orlando Leisure Magazine

Kimberly Thompson – Millenia Messenger

Raishawn Williams – Scholastic Books

Aimee Woodlee - Disney

LIVE CONNECTION

Breanne Brock – Southern Women’s Show

Laura Brown – American Dental Association, Femme de Cour

Kaitlyn Chana – Southern Women’s Show

Nancy Conover – Southern Women’s Show

Grissel Fuller – Femme  de Cour

Kaleigh Gleeson – Miss Teen Florida Universal Beauty

Chevy Harrington – Nordstrom

Rebecca Hockman – Southern Women’s Show

Alexandria Hoyes – “Annie Get Your Gun”

Rachel Lietzke – Southern Women’s Show

Brittany McDaniel – Heathrow/Lake Mary Arts Festival, Colonial Town Park, Disney, “New Hope for Kids”

Alexander Miranda – Southern Women’s Show

Sara Pope – Southern Women’s Show

Bryanne Ricci – Southern Women’s Show

Claudia Rosales – “Land me a Tenor”, “Blood Brothers”

Olivia Shirek – Southern Women’s Show

Brittany Thompson – Southern Women’s Show

Kimberly Thompson – Southern Women’s Show

Jean Wilkes – Femme  de Cour

Tarea Williams – Southern Women’s Show

MOVING PICTURES

Sarah Ackerman – Radiant Entertainment

Juanita Addeo – “Physical Therapy” training video

Luis Antonio – Epcot, Grande Floridian, “Regret”

Kathryn Barnes – HSN

Brooke Bellows – Disney

Kate Clark – Rooms to Go

Chad Ryan Copperud – Orange TV

Janean Davis – Disney

Matthew Dorman – “Mr. Malikia battles the Aeroplane”

Megan Gunsallus – Sea World, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Disney, Mediacom, Orthodontic Centers of America

Nathaniel Harris II – Discovery Health Network

Marguerite Hartman – Radiant Entertainment

Marissa Hartman – Radiant Entertainment

Tom Hodkoski – “Partner”, “Jacket Man”, “Regret”, Royal Pacific

Brooke Horn – Boston Whaler Boats, Maxum Boats

Blair Huston – Radiant Entertainment

Paige Huston – Radiant Entertainment

Cree Ivey – “The Test”, “Stories from Nana K.”, Radiant Entertainment

Hortense Knowles – Disney, Epcot

Cindy Laberinto – Disney

Tiana LaBianco – “Share Your Christmas” WESH

JoAnne Langer – HMO

Becky Ley – Rooms to Go

Alyssa Maio – “Stories from Nana K.”

Brenna Maio – “Stories from Nana K.”

Johhny Maio – “Stories from Nana K.”

Sarah Meahl – Disney

Justin Smith – Hard Rock Hotel, Rooms to Go, “Sacrifice”

Autumn Stewart – “Stories from Nana K.”

Kimberly Thompson - Disney

NOVEMBER SEMINAR

DONETTE KNOWLEN, from HB Productions, will be looking for talent of all ages to do infomercials.  Clients include Optionetics, Wizetrade, 4Xm, American Cash Flow, Robert Allen Institute, AAA, Recreational Factory Warehouse, and Defalco Advertising. 

Donnette will be collecting headshots and resumes.  Seating limited, so sign up now!

Thursday, November 18 at 6:15pm

NEXT MONTH’S SEMINAR

As usual, we will not be having a December Seminar. However…

LESLIE WINDRAM, (see page 7) will be holding a Q & A session for our teen acting graduates, and the parents of our children and teen acting grads, about her upcoming workshop.

Monday, December 6 at 6:15pm

The January Seminar will be announced in next month’s newsletter.

Lisa Maile School presents…

An acting workshop intensive WITH LESLIE WINDRAM

“Leslie excels in providing focus, organization, and creativity to life. She is invaluable.”

- Jack Bender: Director/Executive Producer (“LOST”, Alias, The Sopranos)

January 19, 20, 21 ~ 2005

Intensive workshop for young actors focuses on the basics in the craft of acting and on personal creativity and skills. Students are encouraged to challenge personal comfort zones and address acting issues. Work will include speech, movement, audition techniques and scene study. Commercial and Theatrical aspects of the business will be addressed. Learn how to live truthfully in imaginary circumstances, exercise your imagination and strengthen your creative instrument . You are invited to take part in the adventure.

Leslie Windram was “discovered” by Ron Howard during the filming of his movie “Parenthood” in Central Florida, after which she moved to New York where she studied acting under William Esper (2 year conservatory program), Pierre LeFevre (Masks) and the Actors Movement Studio. She was seen off-Broadway at The Ensemble Studio Theatre and The Westbank. Leslie also worked as assistant to Tony Award winning and Broadway director Martin Charnin, creator of “Annie”. As an actor, television credits include: “Everybody Loves Raymond”, “Judging Amy”, “Providence”, “Wings”, “General Hospital”, MOW’s “The David Cassidy Story”, “An American Daughter” with Christine Lahti and more. In Los Angeles, Leslie has been seen at The Hudson Theatre, Whitefire Theatre, Lost Space, Howard Fine Theatre, Palos Verdes Playhouse and The Met where she produced & starred in the 20th Anniversary Production of “Vanities” which received an LA Weekly “pick of the week”. Leslie starred in “Lemon Meringue Facade”, an original play by Ted Lange and NAACP special pick for theatre. She also appeared in “Floating Rhoda and the Glueman” with Dylan McDermott. Leslie’s film credits include “Deserter, Nice Guy, Happy Birthday, Billy Gale” (Sundance Film Festival) & “Love, Life and Laundry” (Nashville Film Festival). National commercials include: Pontiac “Pass It Along”, Sears, Coors Light, Science Diet, RC Cola, Rack Room Shoes, Amoco Oil, Outback Steakhouse and many more. She worked as associate producer on the Uta Hagen Documentary and in the Master Class of Howard Fine. A founding member of the Genesis Group; a Los Angeles based writer, directors, and actors collective and The Met Theatre Company, Leslie has also worked in writing/development for “Net Connect”, for Stone Stanley Productions and development of “The Six Wives of Henry VIII”, for Lakeshore Entertainment. She is a member of SAG and AFTRA unions. Leslie is the Writer/Director/Producer of “Big Blue River” a feature length documentary. Leslie has taught acting for kids at ESI Kidz in Los Angeles for four years. You can see many of her students every day appearing in television, commercial and film. She currently handles development of new projects for Jack Bender while he serves as Executive Producer/Director on the new ABC show “LOST”. She is the co-founder of The Millennium Woman Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships for single parent mothers.

Leslie will be at the school on Monday, December 6th at 6:15 for a Q&A about her workshop. Any parents of 7-10yr old grads, and Teen grads & their parents, who are interested in the LA market, are encouraged to attend.

Please call 407-628-5989 to reserve your seats!

BREAKING INTO THE INDUSTRY

The next open session with Lisa is Thursday, December 9th at 6 p.m. for all teen or adult acting grads and students and parents of our Children's programs. Reserve your space by emailing frontdesk@lisamaile.com or calling the front desk at 407-628-5989. Be ready for a full 4 hours of info to kick start your career—bring a pillow!