The Collective Spirit

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio What To Do After Reading The Script Where To Start So, you've just landed the role. Congratulations! Whether it's a feature film, a TV Pilot, or a play, you’ve now crossed a major threshold: you’ve read the script for the first time. And now you're staring at the pages, buzzing with emotion or questions or both. You might be wondering, “What do I do next?” If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed at this stage, you’re...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Why Acting Is An Art - Not A Science The Soul Of Acting In an age increasingly governed by algorithms, data, AI and precise metrics, it's easy to fall into the habit of viewing everything through a scientific lens. We prize replicability, logic, and practicality. But what happens when we apply this mindset to something as deeply human and unpredictable as acting? We find ourselves at a dead end. Because despite...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Understanding The Lens: The Art Of On Camera Acting Knowledge Is Power As an actor, do you wish that you had just a little bit more knowledge about the different lenses that are used by the cinematographer? And what can you do with this knowledge? In the realm of on-camera acting, an actor’s relationship with the lens is as vital as their connection to the script or even their scene partner. Stage actors are...

The Collective Spirit The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective Acting Studio Art Of The Cold Reading Imagine This: You’re at an audition (or on Zoom), you’ve just delivered a well-prepared scene, and the casting director jumps up and says, “You’re perfect for this other role in the same project.” They hand you new sides and say, “Can you read this … in 5 minutes?” Your heart skips a beat. Of course, you say yes. But inside, panic may be rising. What now? Welcome to the crazy world of the...

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...