The Vs. Studio Blog

Just like mood affects our own desire to make art, mood also affects our intended audience’s desire to receive art.

Think about when you’ve re-read a book or re-watched a film. The first time you didn’t “get it” which could’ve been for a variety of reasons, including you just not being in the right mood. But now, maybe because of time, distance and perspective coupled with mood, you try again and love it.

We can’t control how or if/when our art is received. We can only control our decision to find the art inside us and manifest it with excellence and generosity. Part of having a generous mindset is to release any expectation from our audience.

if someone doesn’t like or care for our art, we can just think to ourselves, “That’s okay. It’s not for you.” Or. “It’s not for you…at this time.”

Speaking of fear and fun (yesterday’s post)…

Ever wanted to write and perform your own solo show? Have some ideas, but don’t know how or where to start? Have a story inside you’re dying to tell, but need a little push? Looking for a community of like-minded people to help get you there?

If the thought of getting up on stage to tell your story is both terrifying and exciting, then we have the workshop for you.

Send me an email to jclark@vstheatre.org and I’ll give you the full scoop!

“What do you fear, lady?” [Aragorn] asked. “A cage,” [Éowyn] said. “To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire.” -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return Of The King

“When deciding whether to do something, if you feel anything less than ‘Wow! That would be amazing! Absolutely! Hell yeah!’ — then say “No.” -Derek Sivers

Joseph Campbell said “the cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” Does that mean that every time a potential project causes us to feel afraid, we should ignore it and plunge headfirst into the darkness?

Well, besides risking physical harm, we should also ask ourselves if the project is going to be fun. Yes, FUN! That’s such an important and often overlooked aspect in today’s hyper-productive world.

If you’re gonna risk something in the service of making art, it better be fun. When you think about the process, the learning, the growth, let alone the outcome, it should bring joy to your heart.

It’s okay to be afraid. To feel like “Uh…I don’t know if I can do this.” But if there isn’t also a part of you that feels like “It’d sure be fun to try”, then pass. This isn’t the one for you.

And trust that the right project is on the way.

“Do you know what the scariest thing is? To not know your place in this world, to not know why you’re here.” -Elijah Prince in the film Unbreakable

Struggling to find your purpose?

First commit to something. Anything. Honor that commitment to its completion. Give it everything you got.

Then find something else and do it again.

And again.

And again.

And again…

You’re developing a commitment mindset. It’s out of that mindset that purpose often reveals itself.

Don’t talk about it.

Be about it.

Two things the world badly needs right now (and will always need)…

1. Leadership.

2. Solving interesting problems.

When you produce something you’re passionate about, you get to deliberately practice both things. And like any skill, the more you do, the better you get.

What are you waiting for? If not for yourself, how about for the world?

Actor Matthew McConaughey talked a little about his process on a recent Marc Maron podcast. He mentioned finding a “lock in line” somewhere in the script. This is a word or phrase that unearths the character for him. It’s his “way in.”

This is good acting advice which can also be applied to finding your “why” for producing a script. We often struggle, especially at first with coming up with our why. At least putting it into words. We just “feel” we have to do this thing. Nothing wrong with that. But as I’ve mentioned throughout this blog, having a strong why helps us in many ways. It gives us a solid base to return to in the inevitable moments of struggle and self doubt. To remind ourselves, “Oh yeah, this is why I’m doing this.” It helps us convey our enthusiasm to other artists we wish to enlist. And it helps us get the word out when our work is done and ready to be viewed.

To find our why, maybe look no further than the actual script. Maybe it’s a monologue or a scene or a sentence or even a single moment that just lights us up. Lock in to that.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” -C.S. Lewis

“All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power.” –Tao Te Ching, Translation by Stephen Mitchell

I was in an Oceanside vintage store looking at gifts for a friend. Minutes before, I received a lovely note about that day’s blog post. I was feeling pretty good about myself. Then I turned a corner in the store and spotted the above sign. I laughed out loud and instantly knew I had to buy it.

The sign now resides next to my desk. It’s a wonderful reminder of humility and that everything sucks. Meaning that whatever art we’re trying to make…be it a blog post, a poem, a painting, working on a character, etc…it sucks.

At first.

But if we’re passionate about it and have a strong why, if we care enough to stick it out, keep grinding, to slog away and be our own toughest critic, eventually…

It won’t.

P.S. – And what if after all that, others still think our art sucks?…That’s okay. We did the best we possibly could. We can always live with that.

“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” -Shakespeare, Hamlet

Like any great script, there will be all kinds of unexpected twists and turns along your producing journey. Try not to label them as good or bad events. They just are what they are. And your job is to flow, to move through each one of them with grace. Until the final outcome.

A great story from the Huai Nan Tzu reinforces this concept…

A poor farmer’s horse ran off into the country of the barbarians. All his neighbors offered their condolences, but his father said, “How do you know that this isn’t good fortune?” After a few months the horse returned with a barbarian horse of excellent stock. All his neighbors offered their congratulations, but his father said, “How do you know this isn’t a disaster?”. The two horses bred, and the family became rich in fine horses. The farmer’s son spent much of his time riding them; one day he fell off and broke his hipbone. All his neighbors offered the farmer their condolences, but his father said, “How do you know that this isn’t good fortune?” Another year passed, and the barbarians invaded the frontier. All the able-bodied young men were conscripted, and nine-tenths of them died in the war. Thus good fortune can be disaster and vice versa. Who can tell how events will be transformed?

“What we’ve got here…is failure to communicate.” -Captain in the film Cool Hand Luke

“Communication breakdown, it’s always the same. Havin’ a nervous breakdown, a-drive me insane.” -Led Zeppelin from their song Communication Breakdown

A central theme in any drama or comedy is the characters inability to communicate with one another. That leads to conflict which makes for interesting viewing.

Just like in real life, there are many reasons for the characters communication breakdown. Ego, not knowing what they want, not being in touch with their emotions, being afraid to speak up, assuming your message was delivered, etc…

As a producer, you must be an excellent communicator. You must OVER COMMUNICATE. Early, often and throughout. Be super clear with what you want and your expectations of others. Set reasonable deadlines. Don’t assume your email did the job. Pick up the phone and also call the person. Meet with them when you can. Have empathy. Try to put yourself in the other artist’s shoes. How would you receive your message if you were them?

Like most things, communication is a skill that you can dramatically improve with desire and practice. And there’s no better way to practice than diving in and manifesting your passion project. You’ll grow tremendously as a communicator (you’ll be forced to) and be ready and sharper for your next one.