From her mouth to our ears

When Bill Rosado tapped Beth O’Neil to be the Artistic Director of his completely renovated Milford theater in 2021, he knew she was the perfect person to lead its renaissance.

And she has done this by booking a variety of films, musical performances, and plays, such as the theater has never had before.

She has been able to do this due to her contacts and stature in the entertainment industry in New York city where she has had a career spanning 20 years as a film producer. Her credits include producing such films as “Jack Goes Boating” (2010 - with Phillip Seymour Hoffman), “Suck it Up Buttercup” (2014), and “November Criminals” (2017).

As a producer, she has been involved in every aspect of filmmaking from set design to special effects, stunts, directing, and screen writing. O’Neil has seen a burgeoning interest in film in Milford audiences, especially with John DiLeo’s film series. That may have played a role in her thinking that the time is now right for her to introduce a new series that focuses specifically on the craft of filmmaking.

Using her own career as inspiration, O’Neil wants to shed a light on all the aspects involved in making a film which she has experienced first hand as a film producer herself.

The series is called “Spotlight on Filmmaking.” There will be six films in the series, each with well-known filmmakers sharing their expertise in various aspects of the craft live on stage.

The first film in the series, the Oscar Winner, “The Help,” debuts on Jan. 28 at 4 p. m.

Curt Beech, an Emmy-winning production designer, and Rena De Angelo, an Oscar-nominated set decorator will talk about how they collaborated to transform the locations in this film into the stunning scenes and images you see on the screen.

This duo brings a long list of credits to their craft. Curt Beech was an Emmy winner for “Only Murders in the Building,” ”She’s Got to Have it,” “Black KKKlansman, ”and “Till.”

Rena DeAngelo’s credits include “West Side Story,” “The French Dispatch, “The Goldfinch,” and “Bridge of Spies.”

The second film in the series is “Julie & Julia” on Feb. 25, at 4 p.m., starring Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Seasoned Special Effects Supervisor Fred Buchholz will talk about how he created the special effects on screen.

Local film historian John DiLeo will moderate the Q&A after each presentation.

There will also be a meet and greet and one complimentary drink at the bar for ticket holders.

The other four films and their guest presenters will be announced throughout the season.

Tickets are $30 each and are available at https://themilfordtheater.freshtix.com