Author Archives: thevsstudioblog

“I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have a hold of for the moment, and I want to makeContinue reading “Be Thoroughly Used Up”

You’ll never regret giving yourself an arbitrary deadline. Yes it’s hard to do. We want more time to get it “just right.” And who would ever voluntarily put their back against the wall?…But when all is said and done, you’ll be glad you did. On the other hand, you will regret not giving yourself one.Continue reading “No Deadline Regrets”

When asked to do something difficult or faced with a new challenge… The cocky person says “I got this.” And then does nothing other than relying on their self-perceived “talent” to come through. They usually don’t. The confident person says “I think I can do this.” And then works their tail off/acquires new skills/does whateverContinue reading “Be Confident. Not Cocky.”

“It seems to me that every step forward in my life has been one that brings me to a better understanding of this: that you do your thing every day the best that you can, and you approach any success at it with humility.” -Val Kilmer “Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fearContinue reading “Val Kilmer: Home Movie Star”

Do the work. So that when the times comes. You can be free to drop the work. And just trust. And be.

“If you’re not feeling those butterflies, you’re not taking a big enough risk.” -Ray Manzarek A perfect mantra or tattoo or billboard or t-shirt would be: “No risk. No art.” And it actually is a t-shirt…The actor and director Fisher Stevens once made his own with the above quote and wore it constantly. To remindContinue reading “No Risk, No Art”

Unless you work in the theatre, you might be wondering what the heck is a dramaturg? This article and this one explain in detail. Basically it’s someone who provides valuable research and context to theatre (and opera-makers). They also help playwrights shape material similarly to how an editor helps writers. The best dramaturgs, editors, coaches,Continue reading “The Best Dramaturgs”

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” -Joseph Campbell There are lots of reasons people love scary movies. As this article points out, some include wanting novel experiences, sensory stimulation, and curiosity about our darker or shadow sides. I think another reason is presence. Feeling alive. Being focused on one thingContinue reading “Scary Stories”

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” -Epicurus I can’t get no satisfactionI can’t get no satisfaction‘Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I tryI can’t get no, I can’t get noContinue reading “Satisfaction”

“Gratitude is the closest thing to beauty manifested in an emotion” -Mindy Kaling “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive-to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” -Marcus Aurelius, Meditations If you are your own power plant, then you need a source of fuel toContinue reading “Gratitude As Fuel”