The Vs. Studio Blog

“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.

First level: As artists, we must tell the truth.

Next level: Tell the truth in an interesting way.

Marshall McLuhan famously declared the medium is the message.

Expanding on this concept…As artists we need to fully understand the medium we’re operating in and what’s required by it. Specifically, we need to know how much or how little collaboration is necessary to make our art.

Painting and novel writing for example, are more solitary pursuits. Theatre and film on the other hand, are extremely collaborative mediums. To manifest your passion in those mediums, you’ll need to enlist and inspire a whole bunch of other talented people to come along for the ride. You’ll need to constantly communicate and create a meaningful experience for them. And always operate with generosity. Otherwise, the vision in your head won’t get realized or it falls flat.

You’re only as good as your collaborators. Every one of them is as vital to the project as you are. Treat them that way.

No, I don’t mean it this way.

I mean, taking a break before you decide. Before you respond. Before you comment or post or tweet.

My wife tells how as a teenager, she’d go shopping with her mom. Inevitably, she’d want something and ask her mom to buy it. Her mom would wisely counter with (I’m paraphrasing): “We’re not buying this today. But…if it’s something you really love, I mean really love–can’t live without– and you still feel that way in a week or so…then we can discuss it.”

Nine point five times out of ten, my wife would forget about the item or decide she didn’t want it after all.

The Stoic teacher Epictetus wrote, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

The first way to control our response to all outside stimuli and events is with time. Take a beat. Think about the effects of our potential actions. Say to ourselves, “Is this something we really, really want to say or do right now?”

Sit on it for a little while.

Then, with clear eyes and hearts, we can decide what to do. How to respond.