The Vs. Studio Blog

Stop waiting for a sign to start. 

Start doing and wait for a sign to stop.

All that I possess and use
Is like the fleeting vision of a dream.
It fades into the realms of memory;
And fading, will be seen no more.
-8th-century Buddhist master Shantideva from “The Way of the Bodhisattva”

We constantly search for certainty in an uncertain world. The American Buddhist nun, Pema Chodron, writes beautifully on this subject HERE. Seven plus months into a pandemic with no clear end in night is a constant affirmation to take life “one day at a time.”

Most of us can handle extreme difficulty and stress in service of a larger goal. When it’s voluntary and we know there’s an end point. “I just need to get through X to get to Y.”

Real suffering occurs when it’s involuntary and you remove the end point. When you have no idea how long the difficulty will last.

A personal metaphor…

I remember many years ago, going for an early morning run with a close friend. We were in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby, a college reunion of sorts. Besides being an avid and exceptional runner–much faster than me–he also had familiarity with the route. He’d run it before and knew when and where it would end.

I didn’t.

The first run day, I was absolutely dying. (And he was running considerably slower than usual to allow me to keep pace.) My internal dialogue was “How much longer? How much longer?!” I wanted to quit several times. Finally, after about forty five minutes or so, we turned a corner and I recognized the house where we stayed. I was suddenly energized and finished strong.

The next morning–even though I was badly hung over and had barely slept (college reunions will do that to you)–was a much more enjoyable run. I could better tolerate the suffering. Because I knew it would end.

We’re all suffering in different ways right now. There’s so much uncertainty. But even though we don’t exactly know how or when, we will get through this.

This too shall pass.

“First thing I remember
Was asking Papa, “Why?”
For there were many things I didn’t know
And Daddy always smiled
Took me by the hand
Saying, “Someday you’ll understand”
Well, I’m here to tell you now each and every mother’s son
You better learn it fast, you better learn it young
‘Cause someday never comes.” -from the song Someday Never Comes by Credence Clearwater Revival

Someday…you’ll produce that play, make that movie, start that business, write that novel, take that class, get in shape, eat healthier, travel to that country, learn that skill, volunteer your time, manifest your passion project.

Someday…you’ll try to make a change in the world.

Someday…you’ll risk.

Someday…you’ll listen to your inner voice.

Someday never comes.

“Tarry a little, there is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; The words expressly are ‘a pound of flesh.” -Shakespeare, The Merchant Of Venice

To do anything great, anything worthwhile, something’s gotta give somewhere else in your life. It’s just a fact. You’ll have to sacrifice time, energy, money, etc…in service of your passion project. You’ll have to steal from comfort. The question to ask yourself before going on the journey: “Is it worth it?”

A very accomplished actor and friend once asked me for some suggestions on plays. He wanted to get back to his theatre roots and was looking for something exciting that he could produce. I gave him a few plays, all containing roles I thought he’d be fantastic in.

A few months went by and I hadn’t heard from him. I reached back out, asked if he read them. He had and apologized for not responding. He was thankful and thought all the plays were terrific. I pressed him a bit to see if he was going to move forward with one of them.

His response (paraphrased):

“Nah. Pound of flesh my friend. I’m not prepared to give it. Not right now.”

I respected his decision because he was honest with himself. Rather than be in denial, he knew it would cost him to fully serve those parts and plays. He choose otherwise.

Audible (American football) : a substitute offensive or defensive play called at the line of scrimmage

Much like a quarterback who steps to the line of scrimmage and calls an audible based on the defense, there are times when you as a producer must do the same thing. No matter how much you prepare, something will come up during your project that you didn’t expect. It’s inevitable…An actor or designer will get another job. A crew member will get sick. A deliverable will not come through. An item will break. Etc…

When it does come up, you have two options.

One, stick with sunk costs and do nothing. Hope it works out. (It probably won’t.)

Two, trust in your preparation, your team and yourself that you can and will adapt to the new set of circumstances. You’ll make make a new, good decision. You’ll leave your homework at the door and be in the moment.

Just like the best quarterbacks, the best producers are those who’ve mastered the art of the audible.

…You Make It Happen.

This excellent Vanity Fair article describes in detail the making of RAGING BULL. At the center of it is Robert DeNiro’s desire, make that obsession, to bring Jake LaMotta’s life story to the big screen. It’s a miracle the film was made as Scorsese’s originally wasn’t interested. It was only DeNiro’s repeated requests, his refusal to take no for an answer, that we have this cinematic masterpiece, and one of the greatest performances ever captured on film.

When you find your passion project, when you’re so lit up by something that you just have to do it–and if it’s in a collaborative medium like film or theatre–be prepared to convince many others to come along with you. To enlist them on your journey. Because you need and want their talents.

And it’s your job as a producer to understand their initial reluctance. They might not see what you see. They may turn you down repeatedly. Just like Scorcese did with DeNiro (and they were great friends who’d previously collaborated on several incredible films). But if you want it bad enough, if you can communicate your passion, communicate why you need and must have them and only them as collaborators, communicate that they will have an incredible experience, communicate you’ll make a great piece of art together, etc…I believe you’ll eventually break through You’ll turn the No’s into Yes’s. As DeNiro says in the article re: Scorcese’s repeated objections, “I’d have found some other way to get him to do it.”

It’s so rare to connect with a piece of material on such a deep and guttural level. When you’re called by something in that way, when you find your own personal RAGING BULL, answer the bell. Do it. Realize that you and only you, will make it happen.

Don’t let your music die inside you.

“They (the whole-hearted) were willing to let go of who they thought they should be in order to be who they were…They believed that what made them vulnerable, made them beautiful.” -Brene Brown

One of the hardest challenges for any artist, for anyone trying to lead, make change, attempt something that might not work, is finding the balance between confidence and vulnerability.

Enter Brene Brown, a professor and author who has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.

She argues–and her research supports this–that our vulnerability can be our greatest strength. By sharing our own struggles, we build meaningful connection with others. That connection, forged in honesty and vulnerability, is built to last. Which in turn, gives us confidence to move forward in the direction of our dreams.

If you haven’t seen, go watch her inspiring TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability. If you’ve already seen, watch it again.

Either way, you’ll be glad you did.

“Make movies. Not meetings.” -Mark Duplass

Less time consuming and critiquing other people’s work.

More time making and critiquing your own work.

“Don’t take it personally” is great to remember when someone we trust gives us advice or feedback. It’s not about us. It’s about the work. Helping us get better. Go further. Make the change we want to make. We should be grateful that someone took time to notice, to care, and was brave enough to give us feedback. We need to put our egos aside and just listen. Take it all in.

But just like this post on expectations, when we’re acting, we should take everything personally. Heighten our senses. Raw ourselves up. Be super sensitive and deeply wounded by what the other characters say and do to us.

Taking it personally puts us on the road to conflict. Which is the journey we must take as actors and artists. That’s the only way we can ever move and affect our audience. And open their hearts and minds to the story we’re trying to tell.