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.
The Character As A Mosaic
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...
Bringing Ourselves To Our Characters
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 Joy Of Urgency!
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...
Rekindle Your Joy Of Acting
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...
Eyes: Windows To The Soul
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...
Are You Funny?
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...
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,...