Janine Manatis

Coach/Teacher –  Writer/Director – Critic/Interviewer

www.janinemanatis.com

“Highlights”:

“FIRST” Film/Theatre Critic on Canadian Television (CBC)

“FIRST” Woman Director/Writer  Feature Film  “I, Maureen”  TIFF 3 Genie noms  Cannes

“FIRST” Creator “Ensemble Workshop” Canada  Actors/Writers/Directors Sponsored by NFB

The Actors’ Studio NY:  Member Elia Kazan’s Director’s Unit;  Succeeded Edward Albee as Head of Playwrights’ Unit

Guest Host/Critic/Interviewer, “Saturday Night at the Movies” (TVO, Elwy Yost), & “The Brian Linehan Show”

Columnist/Critic: Saturday Night The Toronto Star  Chatelaine   MacLean’s

Master Teacher:  Ryerson  U of T  Seneca  York  Acadia  WIFT

Awards/Grants: Genies  Geminis  Doras  Oscar nom  Rockefeller/Ford

_______________________________________________

“Announcing…”

“I’ve lived most of my life in the land of hustle: Geographically, that’s NY, LA and TO; specifically, it’s in the eye of the Entertainment storm…

In the beginning, before I took my first step on the road to recognition (see Bio), I always Believed:

“YES, I CAN.”

As I travelled, was taught by (and then taught!) some of the “Greats” at the Actors’ Studio (see “Publishing News”),

I came to mentor many (see “Spotlight”) who Proved:

“YES, YOU CAN!”

Now, as I come full circle along the labyrinth to success, I offer it All in my forthcoming Book,

“Actors’ Exercises for Everybody” (also below), so “Everybody” can Discover:

“YES, WE CAN!”

Have a look, enjoy yourself, and come back for more.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Lao Tzu

“SPOTLIGHT”

"Janine Manatis is my acting coach and mentor. Her abilities and methods are world class."

-          Michael Ironside (“Terminator Salvation”,“Total Recall”)

Some of the “Many” I have coached/mentored through the years, who also learned, “Yes, I Can!”…

(To view actors with photos, visit the “Coaching” page of my website here)

CURRENT ACTION: Introducing Scott Cook (“Sea-Wolf”), Mark Harmon (“NCIS”), Currie Graham (“Raising the Bar”),  Luke Askew (“Big Love”), Tom Cavanagh (“Trust Me”), Robert Seeliger (Roman Polanski’s, “The Ghost”), Kris Holden-Ried (“MVP”, “The Tudors”), Lisa Ray (“Water”, “All Hat”), Robert Carradine (“Fancypants”)  Krista Moore (“Victor”), Tracey Shreve (“Doc”), Marilo Nunez (Alameda Theatre Co), Jeff Jensen (“Chronic Town” Sundance) (more)

OVER THE YEARS:  Kevin Costner, Louis Gossette Jr. (Oscar Winner), Bruce Dern, Delroy Lindo (“Malcolm X”), Diana Scarwid (Oscar Winner), Doug McGrath (“Goin’ Down the Road”), Nastassja Kinski (“Hotel New Hampshire”), John Dunsworth (“Trailer Park Boys”), Denise Virieux (“Katts & Dog” Paris/TO, 4 years), Martha Gibson (“Black Christmas”), Peter Solala (“Jeff Ltd.”), Alex Ross, Izumi Barry (more)

GEMINI-NOMINATED HOSTS:   Jossette Normandeau (“Deadly Arts”), Elli Tescher (“In-laws Outlaws”, Star Columnist), Gail Voz-Oxlade (“Til Debt Do Us Part”), Helen Buttigieg (“Neat”), David Rocco (“La Dolce Vita”, “La Ventura”)

MARTIAL ARTISTS/ STUNT STARS:   Shelley Cook (“Saw VI”), Tommy Chang (“Max Payne”), “The Twin Tigers”

AWARD WINNING WRITERS/DIRECTORS:    John Requa & Glen Ficarra (“I Love You, Phillip Morris”starring Jim Carrey), Harvey Crossland (“Life with Derek”), Don McBrearty (“Regenesis”), Keith Leckie (“The Averill Arrow”) & Paul Shapiro (“Pushing Daisies”), Sandy Kybartas (“Home for Blind Women” CFC Genie)

“PUBLISHING NEWS”

NEW BOOK IN THE WORKS!  From her “ground-breaking” experiences at the Actors' Studio in NY, to teaching Actors/Writers/Directors worldwide, Janine has developed her own “method” of  training, incorporating knowledge of the Arts, Sciences, Psychology, Metaphysics, Body/Mind/Spirit and Sensory work, which finally evolved into her original "8-Step Paradym". She began to extend this training to many who asked to participate in the workshops: Lawyers, Health-Care Practitioners, Yoga Instructors, Therapists, Business Executives, Sales Personnel, Artists - and even one good-looking Stockbroker (who happened to be a woman!). After years of working with so many people in so many disciplines, she learned "the work" really is for anybody seeking a better way of life. Inspired to offer this work to “Everybody”, she decided to write a book - “how-to” book that’s not a “how-to” book. The title says it all…

Coming Soon!

“ACTORS’ EXERCISES for EVERYBODY”©

A Book in Progress by Janine Manatis, with collaborator Krista Moore.  From the Intro:

“Our love of actors has to do with possibility, with the hope and dream of immortality. The actor is the universal metaphor for our basic urge to express ourselves, to matter. We can. Everyday. That is the heart, mind and spirit of this book.

There is a creative space between our self and a new expression of our Self.  It emerges as we learn how to reach out - emotionally, physically, mentally, ultimately spiritually - into unknown territory, shifting our focus from anxiety to curiosity, finally setting us free to ACT.

This process, its principles, procedures, practices, preparations are designed to promote that quest. They are multi-layered, multi-purposed with multi-results, as unique as the individuals using them. When you know that you cannot fail, you can only win, then the risk is worth it. The most challenging and rewarding experiences/opportunities are found in the art of being our Authentic Self. And when we are authentic, we not only change our Self, we change the world.”

To receive excerpts and updates on the book, Subscribe here!

RECENTLY PUBLISHED:  Janine also contributed to the following recently published books (both available on amazon.ca):

“Stanislavsky in Canada”

Interview with Janine Manatis. From the Book: “Stanislavsky and Directing…”, ed. Anna Migliarisi, © 2008 Legas Publishing

Manatis: “When I was chosen by Edward Albee to succeed him as moderator of the Playwrights’ Unit at the Actors’ Studio - surrounded by great writers like: James Baldwin (who adapted his ground-breaking novel Giovanni’s Room for me as an actress at the Studio), Norman Mailer, Lorraine Hansbury, Arthur Kopit, Terrence McNally – I began by saying to them: ‘Even though you are at the Actors’ Studio, you really don’t know anything about the craft of the actor. What you need is to do the work. We’re not going to sit around and talk about it. That’s against the Method. You are now going to begin doing actors’ exercises.’ (Everyone was dumbstruck!)  ‘In this way you will come to know what it takes to act. How it’s not so simple. It’s not just understanding the meaning; it’s not just the brain mind (see my 8-step paradigm). It’s body/mind/spirit. It’s totality. You can have all the knowledge in the world and not be able to use it.’

They found out, much to their amazement, how hard it was, how wonderful it was, and how it changed how they wrote. They also learned, when the writer is open to the contribution of the actor, there is not a feeling of loss; there is a feeling of gain, a plus, not a minus. Ensemble work at its best brings a spirit of cooperation as opposed to a spirit of competition…

Of course all the playwrights wanted to become actors! They absolutely loved it!”  (more)

“Ensemble, The Method, and All That Jazz…”

Interview with Janine Manatis. From the Book: “Directing and Authorship in Western Drama”, ed. Anna Migliarisi, © 2006 Legas Publishing

Author:   “Since you knew both Elia Kazan and Tennessee Williams at the Studio, I was curious about your understanding of their working relationship, particular as it pertains to the ending of  Cat on a Hot Tin Roof...”

Manatis:   “In point of fact, Kazan made the ending absolutely clear. He does not alter Williams’ meaning, he does what a good director does, and that is, he brings the truth to light. Williams did not suffer, he benefited from working with Kazan. People have their personal conflicts.  However, that did not prevent the working relationship from continuing leading to Sweet Bird of Youth. Nor did it prevent Tennessee from becoming one of the founding members of the Playwrights’ Unit at the Actors’ Studio where his one act play, Night of the Iguana was developed into a full length production by Frank Cosaro.”

“One of the things that is profoundly true, both of these men were major talents. Williams was a great writer, and Kazan was a great director. Their conflicts, in my opinion, are made too much the focus, it is too much like gossip, not like honest inquiry. Whatever the differences between these men, I know, I don’t just believe, I know they had the utmost respect for each other. And that is what matters, what made the relationship and its contribution to modern theatre so brilliant and so lasting...” (more!)

“Thank you for Coming”

“An inspiring woman.”

- Jeff Warren (“THE HEAD TRIP: Adventures on the Wheel of Consciousness”)

“Her voice remains clear, uncluttered, and effortlessly authoritative. Like Janine, [her work] is stimulating, provocative, fascinating, fun.”

- George Anthony (Entertainment Columnist/Author, “STARRING BRIAN LINEHAN”)

“Janine is brilliant! I am so fortunate to have had access to her infinite wisdom.”

- Stacey Robbins (actress/producer)

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Janine Manatis

Email

www.janinemanatis.com