July 7th, 6:30 pm at The Linda, WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, 8th graders from Albany Prep Charter School show off their filmmaking skills in short films they wrote, directed, acted in and edited. They were part of the film program that Kevin Craig West taught during the school year to 6th, 7th and 8th graders at Albany Prep. “With only 20 classes at 50 minutes per class, the students accomplished more than many are able to in some of the 24 and 48 hour film competitions I’ve been to.” The films screened in June at the Spectrum 8 Theatres in Albany. The audience choice films will screen at the July UI meeting.

Jed Mills will give a presentation. Jed is a recipient of the LOS ANGELES DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD, DRAMA LOGUE and L.A. WEEKLY AWARDS for his portrayal of a Cerebral Palsy victim in the highly acclaimed play “CREEPS’’ as well as two each L.A. WEEKLY and DRAMA LOGUE AWARDS and an OBIE AWARD (in NY) for his work in the critically acclaimed Improvisation Theater Co. “WAR BABIES”.

A veteran of scores of guest starring roles on Television as well as several specials on HBO and the A&E Channel, he was a regular on the TV series “EASY DOES IT”. His Films include Martin Scorsese’s CASINO, plus OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS, MY FAVORITE YEAR, and many more.

Jed has recently completed a role in a new picture called, “”PARTNER’S MEETING’’ which he co-wrote. He also played the role of an emcee/comedian in “THE COCK AND BULL STORY” written and directed by Billy Hayes. (Mr. Hayes is the author of the book “Midnight Express” which was made into the critically acclaimed film of the same name).

Jed has appeared in scores of stage productions in NY, LA and in regional stages on both coasts. He has directed several plays in LA and has recently made his New York directorial debut, with an Off-Off Broadway offering of an original production; “Howya doin’, Frankie Banana’’, hopefully to be produced in LA and Jed has plans to direct the film version.

Jed has been teaching acting for more than thirty years. His extensive credits include:

1971 to Present – Los Angeles-New York
Independently producing and conducting professional acting workshops and classes to aspiring and professional actors. These include weekly classes and three- to five-day intensives, bringing actors to an excellent level of ability and ready to give an improvised performance at the culmination of the intensive.

2003 to 2006 – Los Angeles Community College:
Improvisational theatre techniques to actors and others: ecclectic persons just interested in having fun and wanting to communicate with the world and everyone they know and meet, in a greater way, parents, spouses, doctors, execs, etc. Learning to listen, the key element!

1986 to 2005 – Screen Actors Guild Conservatory – Improvisational Theater Techniques to professional actors of TV and film.

1998-2001 guest teacher at Chapman University film dept. to Professor Larry Kostroff’s film directors class.

1984-86 – The Academy of Performing and Visual Art at UCLA – Conducted ongoing acting classes for high school students culminating with an end of term production.

1974 – Harvard University – Summer guest stint conducting improvisation workshop under Professor Derek Lamb.

Jed has worked with many Los Angeles casting directors as a regular part of their programs to train actors in different venues, i.e., TV commercials, soap operas, sit com, stage and films. All requiring somewhat varied techniques.