Author Archives: thevsstudioblog

A common note given to an actor is that the stakes aren’t high enough. “Raise the stakes.” How exactly do you do this? Here’s a simple cheat… Go back through the script and for every action, say to yourself, “I will die if I don’t get what I want.” That could mean physically, emotionally, mentally,Continue reading ““Raise The Stakes””

“Look, and it can’t be seen. Listen, and it can’t be heard. Reach, and it can’t be grasped.” –Tao Te Ching, Stephen Mitchell Translation Here’s the definition of a heat check as told by writer Shea Serrano: A heat check is (mostly) a basketball term. It’s used to reference a shot attempt, specifically a difficultContinue reading “Heat Check”

The Resistance will try a million different ways to knock you off course. To prevent you from doing the work you’re supposed to do. The work you’re born to do. It’s a motherfucker. Insidious. It’s the wolf at the door. Fight it! Fight it every day of your life. Your soul depends on it. GoContinue reading “Insidious”

“I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody and they’re going to find me out.” -Maya Angelou “The exaggerated esteem in which my lifework is held makes me very ill at ease. I feel compelled to think of myselfContinue reading “Fraud”

Do you have a bucket list of all the plays and roles you’d love to do someday? If not, why not start one? Write down every play you read or see and the date. It’s a good exercise and fun to keep count. For any plays that really grab you, bold them. Write down theContinue reading “Bucket List”

“Pain + Reflection = Progress.” -Ray Dalio Legendary hedge fund investor, Ray Dalio, swears by his principles. By knowing and writing them down. By constantly examining and refining them. He credits this act for his success and advises others to do the same. He even wrote a book about it. The Stoics actually argued aboutContinue reading “Principles”

I once asked a good friend of mine and phenomenal actor what it was like to work regularly in television. This was her response: “Most days, I feel like a Ferrari stuck in a garage.” She was very grateful for the steady work, money and the friendships that were made. But inside, she felt likeContinue reading ““Like A Ferrari Stuck In A Garage””

What could you make happen if?… You focused intensely on something for just 5 minutes a day. Every single day. For the entire year. That’s over 18 hours. Go make your art.

“Pressure is a choice.” -Richard Linklater At some point in your art-making process, you will feel nervous. Opening night of your play, the first day on set, the first time you read your novel in front of a live audience, the day you meet with potential investors for your new company, etc…It’s inevitable. So, whatContinue reading “Nerves”

You’re not too busy. It’s just not a priority for you right now.