The Collective Spirit

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio The Character Biography Turn Preparation into Transformation For actors, there are countless tools available to deepen a performance. But few are as misunderstood, or as underestimated, as the character biography. Maybe you’ve been told to write one. Maybe you've sat down with the intention to create something profound … only to end up jotting down a lifeless list of facts: birthplace, job, age, family...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio What To Do In Between Auditions Get Busy As actors, we never want to fall into the trap of just waiting for the next audition. Manifestation 101 says to act as if it’s already yours. Waiting puts you in a passive state of being - and gives away your power. As a coach, I can’t tell you how many times an actor has come in, sighing, “It’s so slow right now.” So, we dive into a monologue, a new character, a piece of...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Thoughts On Process: The Power Of Inner Life The Hidden Power In the world of film and television, it’s not the loudest actor who commands the screen - but the one whose inner life is rich, alive, and truthful. When we think of great on-screen performances, we often remember the words. The monologues, the confrontations. But we often forget that what really captivates and moves us, is what the actor is doing...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio The Character As A Mosaic Building A Character Is A Process Some characters come to us effortlessly. We read the script and the layers unfold with clarity. Their voice is vivid, their struggles are familiar, and we step into their shoes with ease and excitement. These are the moments when acting feels like magic and when we feel truly aligned with our craft. But what happens when it’s not so easy? What if a new...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Bringing Ourselves To Our Characters Who Am I? In the journey of building a character, there’s a world of difference between simply playing ideas and delivering the goods. Real acting is about embodying something. When we allow ourselves to connect with something deep, honest, and undeniable within, that’s when the character really starts to breathe. That’s when it becomes real. The doorway to that truth begins...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Thoughts On Process: Urgency The Engine of the Character When building a character, the most vital layer an actor must uncover is the need - - more than just a want, but something deeper. A requirement. An urgent, life-or-death hunger that lives in our bones. When fully embodied, the character's need becomes an engine, propelling them through every moment of the drama. It’s not just an idea—it’s a sensation. A...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio The Joy Of Acting The Power of Joy: Reigniting Your Passion for Acting Have you ever found yourself questioning your love for acting amidst the pressure, the hustle, and the emotional demands of the craft? Let’s talk about something deeply powerful and often overlooked: the joy of acting. Not just the big, rewarding moments on stage or screen, but that raw, playful, heart bursting joy that made you fall in love...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Eyes: Windows To The Soul Eyes On Film In the world of acting—especially on film—the eyes are nothing short of magical. They are powerful storytellers, capable of revealing a character’s deepest emotions with a single glance. When used with intention, the eyes invite the audience into the very soul of a character. For any aspiring actor, realizing the importance of the eyes as part of your instrument is a major...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Thoughts On Comedy The “Try To Be Funny” Trap Ever find yourself sweating bullets when a sitcom or comedy audition pops up in your email? If you’re a dramatic actor at heart, the mere thought of needing to “be funny” in a scene can feel like a high-pressure challenge. But here’s the thing—being funny doesn’t always mean you have to try to be funny. Instead, there’s a smarter way to approach comedy that will make...

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...