Just as important as it is to define success for yourself, it’s equally important to define failure. Otherwise, you get caught up in other people’s definition. There’s a lovely, heartbreaking scene at the end of Albert Brooks’ film, “Mother.” In it, he looks at his mom and discovers her in a whole new light andContinue reading “Failure?”
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“Write this at the top of your script”…(To borrow a phrase from a director friend.) CONFLICT. CONFLICT. CONFLICT. You must find CONFLICT in every scene. Even when it’s not readily apparent. If not, it’s the death of your art. You’ll be boring. And the story won’t get told. No one goes to the theatre toContinue reading “Conflict, Conflict, Conflict!”
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The paradox: you need to do the work so that you have the confidence to forget the work. It’s about getting out of your head. Being alive. Fully present. Living moment to moment. And the way to do that is to prepare like crazy beforehand, but then drop that preparation the minute you step outContinue reading “Leave Your Homework At The Door”
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Back in April, I wrote this post detailing my early Zoom experience. It’s been five months and in that time, I’ve participated in and hosted tons more Zoom readings and gatherings. Everything I wrote about in April still holds. Here are a few added thoughts: Zoom doesn’t replace…I’ve seen some incredible Zoom readings. But evenContinue reading “More Zoom Thoughts”
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One of the greatest gifts you can give another human being, especially someone who has made the brave leap to try and do something new, is your encouragement. Encourage them early and often throughout their process. They might not tell you they need it. But they need it. And want it. We all do. YourContinue reading “Encouragement”
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You don’t necessarily have to go “into the arts” to be an artist. You just have to bring your art to everything you do.
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As theatre actors, we’ve more than likely been part of one of those productions where the rehearsal process is a disaster, but then magically comes together on opening night. No movie portrays this better than John Cassavetes’ film, Opening Night. Gena Rowlands is other-wordly great. It’s brutal to watch at times, but worth it forContinue reading “Opening Night”
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“Be so good they can’t ignore you.” -Steve Martin If you haven’t read Steve Martin’s memoir “Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life”, I highly, highly recommend it. It’s inspiring for any artist who cares deeply about their craft. Though I might amend his above sentiment to “Be so good AND consistent AND persistent that theyContinue reading “Be So Good”
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“When you walk across the fields with your mind pure and holy, then from all the stones, and all growing things, and all animals, the sparks of their soul come out and cling to you, and then they are purified and become a holy fire in you.” -ancient Hasidic saying You can have all theContinue reading “Set The Date”
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“A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.” -Shakespeare from his play, As You Like It I found this recent TED talk by Ethan Hawke to be very inspiring and on point with the mission of The Vs. Studio and this blog. It’s only about 9 minutes long and in it,Continue reading “Play The Fool”
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