Let’s face it – there are a set of experiences that you like to feel and a set of experiences that you don’t like to feel. We’ll call those sensations that you don’t like to feel – uncomfortable. Most of us go to great lengths to avoid feeling uncomfortable. But that avoidance leads to something […]
Continue ReadingActing Lessons from Josh Pais
How To Be More Uncertain
There is a strong connection between uncertainty and creativity. We often look at uncertainty as something bad. Uncertainty is often put in the same boat as being unprepared, or a lack of understanding or clarity. But actually – within uncertainty lives the creative impulse. We must set ourselves up so that we can boldly enter […]
Continue ReadingThe Secret Acting Trick
OK – you ready? Every role that you play… Every part that you audition for… One key element will push it over the edge. This element will pull out the best in you. In a word it is… WHY. Yup. Your reason WHY to do this part. But, this WHY must transcend what doing this […]
Continue Reading60 Seconds to Presence.
60 seconds to presence. Take a deep breath. Have another – on me. As you continue to breathe… Notice the part of your body that has the greatest level of sensation in it. It may be a tight muscle, or that emotion in your chest. Breathe right into it – just to feel it […]
Continue ReadingRiding the Subway
Rules for riding the subway: Make no eye contact. Pretend that we are not all in this together. When you bang into someone – deny that you are not in a moving mosh pit. What breaks all the rules: A baby’s eyes. Check it… A young mother brings her 7 month old baby on at […]
Continue ReadingHow to Create a Character
The key to creating a character is to make choices that alter the way you see the world as opposed to having attention on what you look like. If we look at the soul of the creator as a bright light – we never want to hide this light. But sometimes we want to put […]
Continue ReadingRiding The Sensations with 2 Broke Girls.
Last week I was the lead guest star on 2 Broke Girls, CBS’ hit comedy. It was a rollercoaster of an experience. And, had I not had the tools of Committed Impulse, I can safely say the whole thing would have been a disaster. Here’s what happened… Day 1: the Table Read. After arriving at […]
Continue ReadingHow to Put Your Ass on the Line.
We all have to put our asses on the line in order to expand and grow as artists, entrepreneurs, and human beings. And if you’re not putting your ass on the line from time to time, you’ll go stale. Most of us don’t want to put our asses on the line because we haven’t learned […]
Continue ReadingWhy Your Script Analysis Sucks
I am hoping that title either outraged you or challenged you. It was a trick to get you to read this. The truth is your understanding of the script structure is accurate and sensible. It makes total sense for the scene you’re auditioning for, or about to shoot. Only problem is, no one wants to […]
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