Author Archives: thevsstudioblog

“You have to become undeniably good at something. Nobody ever takes my advice, because it’s not the answer they wanted to hear…but I always say, ‘Be so good they can’t ignore you.’ If you are just always thinking, ‘How can I be really good?’—people will come to you.” -Steve Martin, memoir Born Standing Up WhatContinue reading “Advice Or Affirmation?”

If you encounter an issue or potential problem, first think about whether or not it will matter in 5 years. If it won’t, don’t spend more than 5 minutes worrying about it. If it will matter, and you’ve thought about it 5 or more times without taking any kind of action, stop worrying and doContinue reading “The 5x5x5 Rule For Worrying”

One day. Or. Day One. You decide. Is today day one of you making your art? (In addition to art, insert any good intention or desired habit here like exercising, eating healthy, getting control of your finances, getting more sleep, signing up for that class, etc…) Or is today just another day, in a longContinue reading “Day One?”

“If the artist is happy with the work they’re creating and the viewer is enlivened by the work they’re experiencing, it doesn’t matter if they see it in the same way. In fact, it is impossible for anyone to experience your work as you do, or as anyone else does….The purpose of the work isContinue reading “Answer The Call”

“I had this cognition that I realized I was going into auditions, trying to get a job. And that simply wasn’t what I was supposed to be doing. An actor is supposed to create a compelling, interesting character, that serves the text. You present it in the environment where your audition happens. And then youContinue reading “As Well As You Can, Whenever And Wherever You Can”

“Just remember, kid, you can quicker get back a million dollars that was stole than a word that you gave away.” -Eddie Carbone in A View From The Bridge I recently saw a terrific production of Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge. (Thank you to my friend and wonderful actor Sal V. for invitingContinue reading “No Extra Mustard”

“The idea that you won’t have to work to sell your product is more than entitled…Many creatives want to be just the creator, or only “the idea guy.” They like that because it’s sexy and because that’s what comes easy to us. But I suspect we like it also because we’re afraid. We’re afraid ofContinue reading “For The Fans”

From the Urban Dictionary… butts in seats (also “bums in seats” and “butts in the seats”): spectators who have been drawn into a theatre or other entertainment by a low-brow, mass-appeal production. A reference to the economic demand on entertainment business producers to attract paid attendance. As a producer I often get asked the question,Continue reading “Butts In The Seats”

“The task of the playwright is to make the audience wonder what is going to happen next…How does one entertain the audience? How does one make it wonder what happens next? How does one accomplish that? Through the structuring of a plot. That is what drama is, and that is the task of the dramatist.Continue reading “What Happens Next”

The Tao can’t be perceived.Smaller than an electron,it contains uncountable galaxies. If powerful men and womencould remain centered in the Tao,all things would be in harmony.The world would become a paradise.All people would be at peace,and the law would be written in their hearts. -Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu (Stephen Mitchell translation) “It’s common toContinue reading “Inner And Outer”