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 Do You Partner With The Subconscious?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Partnering WIth The Subconscious Give & Take: The Dance Between the Conscious and Subconscious Mind In the creative process, there is a fascinating interplay between the conscious and subconscious mind. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for any artist, as it helps recognize the distinct roles each plays in bringing ideas to life. How It Works Typically, the conscious mind sets the direction, while the...
What Does It Mean To Speak Through The Need?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Thoughts On Process: Speaking Through The Need Emotional Life In Acting Every dedicated actor strives to achieve a profound emotional connection in their work. However, the pursuit of this emotional freedom can often be met with obstacles and confusion about how to start. When I first began my journey, I was overwhelmed by a constant urge to push, chase, and grasp at anything that even remotely resembled...
New Year, New Beginnings!
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Meditating On A New Year The Resolution Problem The arrival of the new year often symbolizes fresh starts and new hopes for the future. It’s also a time when many people set big resolutions. But are these resolutions always a good idea? Here are a few reasons why they might not work as well as we hope: All-or-nothing mentality: This mindset can be problematic because even a small mistake can make us feel like...
Looking To Stay Inspired?
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Staying Inspired Over The Holidays It’s Good To Let Go The week between Christmas and the New Year is one time we all know that the industry slows down and, for once, we don’t have any obligations. There are no emails to send, no phone calls to make-this time is ours. So, to all the worriers out there: it’s good to let go. Manifestation principles teach us that visualizing our goals is like planting seeds. But...
The In Person Casting Session
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective LA Acting Studio The In Person Casting Session Remain Open & Arrive Early Recently, many actors I work with have had the chance to experience in person auditions again. While self-tapes and virtual auditions are now the norm, there’s something special about the energy of being in the room. However, for some, it’s been a long time since the last in-person audition, and others may have never experienced one at all. The key to...
Thoughts On Process: Working From A Sensation
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective LA Acting Studio Thoughts On Process: Working From A Sensation Working Beyond The Lines There are several techniques in the craft of acting that can help you move beyond the confines of the lines, and make your work feel more authentic. One of these is script analysis and working with actions (see previous post: Sending An Action). Another essential tool is the ability to work from a sensation. The Power Of Sensation In...
Creating A Sense Of Safety
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective LA Acting Studio Creating A Sense Of Safety Support & Encouragement Julia Cameron The very first chapter in Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” dons the title: Recovering A Sense Of Safety. “One of our chief needs as creative beings is support,” she says. On our creative journey, feelings of insecurity can stem from various sources—unsupportive or overly critical parents, negative experiences with teachers, or harsh...
The Changing Industry
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective LA Acting Studio The Changing Industry Change Is Good As actors, you’re likely aware of the rapidly shifting landscape of the entertainment industry. Since the strikes last year, uncertainty and fear about the future have been widespread. But here’s the truth: the industry has been here before. Seismic shifts have taken place time and again, and while scary, they have all made way to new possibilities and reinvention. Over...
Thoughts On Process: Creating A Relationship
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective LA Acting Studio Thoughts On Process: Creating A Relationship Who Are You Talking To? One of the first puzzling acting notes I ever received was, "I didn’t feel who it was you were talking to." I didn't quite understand how to approach this until I began to develop my craft more deeply. The key, I discovered, is truth. When you can tap into a real sensation that evokes a specific relationship, there’s no need to "act"—the...
The Value Of Art To Society
The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective LA Acting Studio The Value Of Art To Society Art Is Order Frank Gehry - Walt Disney Concert Hall Art plays a vital role in shaping our daily lives, regardless of the political climate. If we take a moment to look around, we’ll notice that art is everywhere. It is the great organizer, bringing structure and meaning to the chaos of our world. Art invites us to reflect on our own experiences, encouraging us to explore our...