Author Archives: thevsstudioblog

“More than intelligence or persistence or connections, curiosity has allowed me to live the life I wanted.” -Brian Grazer, book A Curious Mind “Passion is the result of a good life design, not the cause.” –Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, book Designing Your Life “Follow Your Passion” isn’t always the right advice. Especially for a youngContinue reading “Follow Your Curiosity”

Speaking of wanting laughs, I love this story about the legendary acting couple Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne… Lunt and Fontanne did many plays together. One night, while performing in a comedy, Lunt got a huge laugh when his character asked for a cup of tea. The next night, he said the line more pointedly,Continue reading “Just Ask For The Tea”

For the stage actor… You’re working correctly where instead of wanting laughs from the audience (stems from our desire to please and get approval), you’re actually annoyed by the laughter. You’re “in it”, so focused on getting what you want from the other person that the laughs kinda get in the way. They’re an obstacleContinue reading “Are You Laughing At Me?”

“If the actors are going to hold nothing back in front of the camera, I can hold nothing back in front of them. They have to be able to trust me, to know that I “feel” them and what they’re doing. This mutual trust is the most important element between the actor and me.” -SidneyContinue reading “Trust”

“The most important element in an actor’s performance is confidence.” -Howard Hawks When faced with a difficult task, you can be confident you can accomplish said task for one of two reasons: Direct experience. You’ve done this exact thing before. You can do it again. Indirect experience. You haven’t done this before. But you’ve doneContinue reading “Direct and Indirect Experience”

“Thinking in bets starts with recognizing that there are exactly two things that determine how our lives turn out: the quality of our decisions and luck. Learning to recognize the difference between the two is what thinking in bets is all about.” -Annie Duke “Failure is an opportunity. If you blame someone else, there isContinue reading “The Hand You’re Dealt”

The passion project you’re about to embark on will be harder than you ever could’ve imagined. It will cost more and take longer than you think. All kinds of things will go wrong that you never could have planned for. You will be pushed to your absolute limit. And beyond. Still want to proceed? Good.Continue reading “Eyes Wide Open”

“It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not weakness, that is life.” -Jean-Luc Picard As a producer, you need to be both optimist and pessimist. Your optimism and boundless enthusiasm are needed throughout the project. Especially at the outset when you’re the sole driver making it happen. Your pessimism isContinue reading “The Optimistic Pessimist”

One of the awesome things about being a writer or producer (sometimes you’re both) in a collaborative medium like theatre or film or television is you get to set the table for other talented artists to do amazing work. Your passion and persistence provides a platform for other artists. It’s an amazing gift for themContinue reading “Setting The Table”

“We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.” -Mother Teresa “First do what is necessary. Then do what is possible. And before you know it you are doing the impossible.” –Continue reading “One Drop”