The Collective Spirit
Welcome to the New Collective Acting Studio’s weekly newsletter - dedicated to inform, uplift and inspire. The goal of this series is to celebrate acting as a primary art form and creativity as a way of life. Every Monday, we share resources, advice, ideas and all things related to living the life of an artist.
How Is Your Self-Tape Game?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio A Meditation On Self-Tapes Self-Tapes & Self-Directing: Transform Your Audition Game In the ever-evolving world of acting, one thing is certain—self-tapes are here to stay. For most actors, self-taping requests continue to outnumber in-person auditions. And while this shift may feel like a challenge, it also opens up exciting possibilities! To truly excel at self-taping, actors need to wear a new hat—the...
What Do You Do When You Feel Blocked?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Overcoming Creative Blocks Everyone Feels Blocked Sometimes It happens to the best of us: you're sitting at your desk, brush in hand, or staring at the blank screen—and suddenly, the flow of creativity just stops. Whether you’re a painter, writer, musician, or any kind of creator, feeling blocked is a frustrating but completely normal part of the process. Sometimes, the block feels like it has a clear cause,...
Why Bother Auditioning When I Don’t Hear Anything?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Why Bother Auditioning When I Don’t Hear Anything? Crickets You just got another audition from your agent. It’s for a TV show you’ve always wanted to be a part of, and the role fits you perfectly. You work your ass of on the material and pump out a self tape that’s nothing short of genius. You’re sure your agent is going to call any minute to let you know that you booked the role! But then a couple of days go by...
What’s So Great About The Imagination?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Thoughts On Process: Imagination How Does Imagination Work in Acting? Imagination is a powerful tool that lets us break free from the ordinary and dive into a world of endless possibilities. In acting, it becomes our greatest ally—helping us step into the shoes of our characters, understand their world, and truly empathize with their emotions. It’s what makes us believe in the characters we play and, in turn,...
How Good Is Your Work Ethic?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Work Ethic Passion: The Heart Of A True Work Ethic As artists, the idea of "work ethic" often brings back memories of dreaded school book reports or the endless hours spent cramming for the SATs. But what if we could redefine that phrase? What if, instead of seeing it as a chore, we embraced it as something much more exciting and personal? For us, as artists, "work ethic" can be distilled into one powerful word:...
How Do You Live Moment To Moment?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Thoughts On Process: Moment To Moment I Am Aware In Susan Batson’s acting classes, every session began with the same exercise: she would ask each actor, “I am aware…?” This simple prompt encouraged us to turn our focus inward, helping us express the truth we felt inside. The exercise wasn’t about saying the “right” thing; it was about recognizing our awareness as the foundation for creating our characters. It...
What Is Your Artistic Purpose?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Your Artistic Purpose What Does It Feel Like? Every artist has felt that deep, burning desire to create. But let’s be honest: sometimes, the grind of an acting career - - the auditions, the networking, the constant hustle - - can cloud the very spark that made us fall in love with the craft in the first place. You know that fire—the one that flared up the moment you stepped onto a stage or in front of a camera?...
Do You Want To Be An Actor, Or A Star?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Being An Actor Vs. Being A Star What Is A Star? A star is essentially an actor, but one who has achieved a high level of fame and recognition. Stars are often able to draw audiences to a movie because of their name and persona. While this doesn’t sound all that terrible, it can be both a blessing and a curse. The focus on box office numbers and marketability can push some actors to only accept roles that fit...
Do You People Watch?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Thoughts On Process: People Watching Endless Inspiration For the actor, the world around us is a limitless source of inspiration. Turning the truth of what we observe in everyday life into art is one of the most exciting parts of the creative process. One activity that consistently fuels this creativity is people watching. As an actor trained in New York City, I found that people watching was an automatic...
What’s So Great About Monologues?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Approaching Monologues What Are Monologues? A monologue is a speech delivered by one character, revealing their thoughts, feelings, or motivations. Some actors may wonder, ”Why worry about dealing with a monologue when I need to practice learning an audition scene with dialogue?” The truth is, monologues are an essential tool for an actor’s training. They offer a chance to practice at the highest artistic level....