>About the Instructors
Melissa Lozoff is
the creator/director of Movie Makers.
Melissa spent nine years in Hollywood as a professional actress. She attended the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and worked regularly on television, including roles in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Jacqui in the prime-time CBS special, Jacqui’s Dilemma, Kim Goldman on E!-Entertainment’s O.J.’s Civil, and a recurring role on Days of our Lives.
In Los Angeles, Melissa also taught theater in a junior high school, worked one-on-one with many young people, and has extensive childcare experience.
In 1999, she and her husband Josh moved to the Triangle area, and she founded Movie Makers soon after. Melissa is also active in local theater as a regular member of Ghost and Spice Productions. Les Liaisons Dangereuse, Love Letters, Oleanna, One for the Road, Agnes of God, and The Miss Firecracker Contest, for which she for which she received “Best Supporting Performance” recognition by The Independent Weekly. In addition to running Movie Makers, Melissa is currently on the faculty of the Youth Acting Conservatory at the Carrboro ArtsCenter and is a private acting coach.
Melissa is the primary instructor for every Movie Makers 12-week session, for all acting classes, and for the older group during summer camps.
Assistant instructors
Josh Lozoff, Melissa's husband, began acting on stage at the age of
nine, here in the Triangle. In his teens he began working in front of the camera as the
film industry developed Wilmington, NC. After high school, Josh moved to Hollywood and
continued his career, working steadily on TV and film for seven more years before moving
with Melissa back to his hometown. Josh is a professional magician who performs at private
and corporate events around the world. Visit his website here.
Josh also has considerable experience with kids, and spends time each year working with street children in Guatemala. Josh is the primary instructor for the younger group during the summer camp sessions.
Sam
Kirkpatrick has been part of the Movie Makers team for several years, beginning
as a student in the movie making classes. Sam graduated from East Chapel Hill High in 2007
and now attends the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. Sam plans to make a
career in the film industry.