Author Archives: thevsstudioblog

“A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play. -James P. Carse, book Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility “Games make us happy because they are hard work that we choose for ourselves, and it turns out thatContinue reading “The Game Of Life”

For the actor… As you’re working on the character, it’s important to fully explore both extremes. Go all the way to one pole and all the way to the other pole More often than not, that middle ground will be just right. Let yourself experience “too hot.” Let yourself experience “too cold.” Then, you willContinue reading “Just Right”

“In the end Is my beginning.” -T.S. Eliot For the actor… The intensity (aka “how you’ve got sh*t cooking inside you”) you have at the end of the scene?…Now go back and start the scene with that same intensity. Note: This is especially helpful for auditions. (h/t to my friend Ron for reminding me ofContinue reading “Start At The End”

“Work norishes noble minds.” -Seneca “Depression hates a moving target.” -George Mack Feeling blah? Not sure what to do? Wanting to keep “The Black Dog” (aka Depression) from visiting you? Stop thinking and start working. Especially something physical. How about bricklaying? It worked for Winston Churchill (his daily regimen was “200 bricks and 2000 words”)Continue reading “How To Keep “The Black Dog” Away”

“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help oneContinue reading “All In?”

The Road goes ever on and onDown from the door where it began.Now far ahead the Road has gone,And I must follow, if I can,Pursuing it with eager feet,Until it joins some larger wayWhere many paths and errands meet.And whither then? I cannot say. -“The Walking Song” in The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien And asContinue reading “No Turning Back”

“People who get an unusual amount of work done are maniacal about removing things from their lives that others tolerate.” -Shane Parrish Artistic work isn’t for everyone. It requires total focus and concentration on the task at hand. You must shut everything out. Eliminate all distraction. Treat this work and time as precious, sacred, consecratedContinue reading “Artistic Work Is Sacred Work”

“The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.” -Mary Oliver If you’re fortunate to receive the call to do creative work, you must answer it. Otherwise it will haunt you theContinue reading “Answer The Call”

“If you speak any lines, or do anything, mechanically, without fully realizing who you are, where you came from, why, what you want, where you are going, and what you will do when you get there, you will be acting without imagination. That time, whether it will be short or long, will be unreal, andContinue reading “Preparation”

“We can never go back. We can go forward. We can find the love our hearts long for, but not until we let go grief about the love we lost long ago.” -bell hooks “Over and over, the hand of memory reaches back, grasps for the bygone moment when life was simpler or brighter orContinue reading “Nostalgia”