Janet Miranda is an Italian born, Ukrainian-American Actress. She is a business leader, American TV personality, producer, and philanthropist. Janet Miranda grew up in Brooklyn, NY. She studied theater and worked on short film productions as well as Off-Broadway productions. She worked in Automatic Superstar off Broadway in 2006, Isabella Chan, in The Reluctant Chinese (2007), Amanda, in Lost Christmas (2008), Claudia, in Claude and Claudia (2008) and Lola, in La Mama’s Yanagai Yanagai (2009).
She worked on several webisodes and many films when she started out, and over the years has developed many relationships in the industry. Janet has played various characters from Ghosts, and Vampires, to judges, doctors and districts attorneys. Her roles get more intense as she continues to grow as an actress. In 2016, Janet completed two feature films For Michelle shot in North Carolina, and The Set Up which will be screened at HBO’s Urban Action Film Festival.
She also completed the short film Defarious which was accepted to the Grove Film Festival and is currently working on The Garden of Thorns a 1940’s holocaust film. In the last decade Janet has worked on over 50 TV-episodes, several off Broadway shows, and over 25 films.
Janet Miranda Acting Reel
Did you study acting?
Janet Miranda (JM): I love to perform. I loved watching Annie, I love Lucy and Grease. I wanted to become those characters. I wished I can be on TV playing them. I used to dress up and dance around as if I was them. I remember dancing around my house singing Annie songs as a child and then doing the same thing pretending I was Sandy from Grease as a teen. I have always wanted to be able to transform. I think it is genetic. My parents are both artist. My dad plays several instruments and he sings. My mom plays the piano, she sings and dances. My brother, David and I often performed for the family.
My mom would invite people over and tell us to dance and sing. My mom enjoyed putting on shows. She taught my brother and I a lot. In my first stage experience I played a little monkey. I was seven years old. Then in Junior High, Anna (my friend) and I made a 60-second film in science class (I bet my parents still have it).That’s when I became fascinated with film. I was blessed to go to a performing arts High School Edward R. Murrow. That school was located around the corner from NBC Brooklyn Studio.
Often NBC Guest Relations staff could be found standing on the street outside the studio, but I was not as fascinated with that as I was with the fact that the energy of some major talent existed in that building from all the 60s programs, along with the cast of the Cosby Show, the Rolling Stones, Desi Arnaz, and the magical presence of Lucille Ball at the studio to cheer on Arnaz to say the least. Eventually I found my way into that studio and I felt like I transformed the moment I got in there.
Even though I was right there on Ave M in Brooklyn, in some weird way that was my first connection to Broadway and Hollywood. I remember walking past the many dressing rooms, hair, makeup and dressing areas, and thinking that will be me one day. I was amazed by what I saw and the energy I felt. At the time, I was doing a little modeling here and there and landed a couple of small television commercials that were later aired on cable channels. Filming those were fun, but I hoped to one day work in film.
I continued studying the craft privately and in school. I worked on as much community television and theater as possible. Somewhere, I started writing and presenting on air and at events. That is how I met my wonderful mentor and dear friend Keith David. Keith very strongly critiqued my work and strongly suggested various acting classes until I eventually landed in a wonderful acting class with teacher Sondra Lee. Sondra worked very hard to break many of my bad acting habits. She taught me much of what I know today.
I used to think she hated me, because she would yell at me all of the time, but only in the last few years I discovered that was her way of getting through to me. She always said, once you get it, you really get it. I am grateful I think I got it. I still feel there is a lot to learn, and much to experience but I now know how to tap into myself and live the moment. I am very grateful to Keith David, Sondra Lee, Chaz Palminteri and Ted Bardy. These teachers helped me evolve in a big way and I owe Sondra a theater when I strike it rich.
I have to say it has been a journey and for most actors it is a process. You can’t just learn this; everyone has their own unique journey and I am really grateful for all of my experiences and all of the amazing people that have been in my life supporting my dreams and helping me evolve as a human being and as an actress.
What acting technique do you use?
Janet Miranda (JM): I have to say that my technique is a combination of many methods and techniques that I have studied. The most effective methods for me is to listen, respond honestly and take things personally like the Miesner technique taught me. I also tap into the Stanislavsky Method focusing on sense memory, movement, voice and relaxation. You would be surprised how important it is to be relaxed when allowing the true moment in. At the end of the day it is a lot of homework, a lot of research and a lot of passion.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting?
Janet Miranda (JM): I think some people think if you are an actor you are always pretending so you can’t be real. I have to say that Is furthest from the truth. Actors are extremely sensitive people because we do not pretend at all. We live it we feel it we breath it. Most actors are the truest form of human beings. We are the most sensitive creatures. Acting is not pretending. It is living the circumstance and reality of that character. It is not copying, but truly being alive in the circumstance of the character.
Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Janet Miranda (JM): Every chance I get. I have been blessed to be working as much as I am now so I sharpen my instrument on set. However, when I am not working, I always look to continue to keep my instrument ripe. I take relaxation seriously and make time for that as well.
How do you keep fit as an actor?
Janet Miranda (JM): I work out a few times a week and eat clean as much as possible. I have cheat meals and I love chocolate and frozen yogurt like everyone else but the true reality is I want to be healthy and live a long life so I eat and exercise to stay healthy.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next?
Janet Miranda (JM): Well, I consider the opportunity and if it is a good one, then I accept it and begin my work. I do a lot of research and homework, breakdown my script and begin discovery of who what when why etc. Sometimes that may lead to a lot more research. I usually read the script twice. I am a theatrically trained so I love every opportunity to rehearse but in the real world, there is not much time for rehearsal in film so I become as prepared as possible. An actor prepares to free themselves and become alive.
I break down my script, and figure out who I am, what my relationships are, what the circumstances and objectives are and then I build on that. That is separate from the character work I do, finding my center and creating an entire life for the character that I can reflect back on down to the details of my posture, my voice, how I walk, etc.
