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The day before presenting the first STAR POWER! Workshop in NY, I received an e-mail from Voice America to inquire if I’d like to do my own radio show.

That same day, Bruce received well over 40 e-mails congratulating him about his acting job in the trailer of the award-winning film, “Definition of Insanity,” which is available on YouTube and directed by Robert Margolis. He also got all call from a publisher informing him that his full length play, “Sada,” which will be premiering at the Warehouse Theatre in South Carolina this coming March, will be published in its original one-act form in an anthology of the best one-act plays from the 2002-2003 season.

Two hours before the STAR POWER! event, the radio show called to interview me. We spoke for 1 hour, at which time I told him I had to get dressed for the event. So I went in knowing this was taking place in the “ZONE”, the Magical field of Creation. Why aren’t we there all of the time??? Well, that’s another Blog for another time.

The results of the workshop were contagious. One after the other, people came to a new ability and way of being. After a few hours, a participant who took the workshop with the agreement she would not have to get up and speak was the first out of her chair to speak in front of the room. Another left her long time and successful career to work more fully with her hobby of buying and renting out vacation Villas and into a new profession. Yes, I’ve followed up and this is happening. Another started writing a book that would enhance and further the Career he is in. Someone left so inspired, they booked an 11-city book tour. Another is being interviewed in the NY Times. A few Actors committed to having Star Power! and their desires ranged anywhere from a Star Career to continually being an employed working actor…and on and on. The results of Star Power! are the emergence of a new Blueprint for Career and Life, or a clear and expanded Blueprint of an existing Path.

The Star Power! Workshop far exceeded my expectations; not only in the results for participants (there I always aim high) but in the content.

I’ll explain.  The idea began with an inquiry: why does one Actor always get the job, build a great career rather than the other? Both are talented, good use of technique, similar look. Both are ambitious, get out and get seen. What gives “The Winning Edge”?

This question led to many processes and exercises, themes and topics that became the basis for my acting classes for about 2 years. (2006-2008) It then became the Genesis for my book Star Power…Defining Your Individual Signature.

I added Anecdotes, Acting technique exercises, Interviews with Industry Professionals, Acting for different Mediums and it worked its way into Star Power: what is it? And how do I get it?

It also intertwines with another theme which is that The Creative and Spirit world are One, two seemingly divergent ideas that are reconciled within the book.

Star Power! has a life of its own. My husband and creative partner, Bruce Levy, realized that Star Power! works for everyone in any Profession. Who doesn’t want what I call the Winning Edge?

Once I started creating the Star Power! Workshop, I was confused. The first part of the workshop deals with variations on a few Signature exercises. But the bulk of the workshop is all new, never done before and not included in the book. Of course I went with where it was taking me… and that is, it takes off from where the Book ends, resulting in a new blueprint for Career and Life. Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled that I worked through the confusion, and allowed its creation to guide the way.

Continuing on the theme of the similarities of utilizing the acting exercises and inspirational thoughts that I use for teaching actors being equally as beneficial for one’s life…

This week is Part II of Your Personal History.

Last week I spoke about the value and pitfalls of Character history.  The value in doing it is as it’s relevant to the current script, actions, motivations that trigger.  The pitfall is in playing it and making choices on past history vs. finding the moment that can be different.

Ok – so Life!

Your life history is good for the child as they feel that they belong. They are part of a unit.   They have certain guidelines.  They can learn how to keep themselves safe.

By teen years, we’re looking at how to be different and finding new role models – the gorgeous/handsome Model, the popular Friend, the famous Actor/Actress.

In adulthood, we either confront the fact that there’s more to us than meets the eye.  We can tap into our own likes/dislikes – spontaneous reactions and feelings, dreams and aspirations – and we can create and step into a new vision of what we are now in this very moment.

If not, our lives and relationships will be a carbon copy of those first few years.  History needs to provide a base for us to step out of to become who we really are.

Actors create the Character’s backstory (history, experiences). This best serves when it is hooked into what the Character is doing and why the Character behaves as they do in the current moments of the script. Also how it pertains in the Character’s motivation.

This is a very good grounding exercise. However, don’t play it and don’t make all of your decisions because of it. For example: you might discover that you and your sister and brother have always argued and that they have always criticized you. That’s the history and the scene itself seems to fortify this thought. To compound things, you have a sensitive issue to discuss with both of them.

Now, here’s how to work with that. Instead of playing into that history of relationships, create a scenario where you are constantly looking for an opening. Notice anything they do that could be interpreted as a soft, kind or lenient moment and work into that. Use that as an opening to speak to them. This will work even if your line of actually discussing the issue comes a few moments later. Look for the openings, the times that are different and not historic, even if they never come.

Coaching for Acting vs for Life is most often the same. Here are a few thoughts that work for both:

• Think in terms of what is “core” and what is “essential.” It works in Life as well as for Acting.

• When ego’s out of the way, you don’t have to show or prove anything. Again, great for Acting and Living.

• How much do you want it? “Quantify” for Acting and for your Life.

• The difference with working on Acting or your life: It’s easier to look at the scene than what you’re actually creating in your own life.

• Tough times warrant tough love. Find your way through it.

• Don’t worry about the fall. Just get up and keep moving. Then figure it out while on your feet. (Yes, I’ve done it lots of times.)

• Brand whatever you’ve got. It’s like a dog marking their territory. Once branded, share it!

Why are decisions so difficult? Because each one has ramifications – and we are looking for our choices to be perfect…to answer every need and criteria. What a shock – they usually don’t.

I suggest you look at the following:

- Why has the item or event to decide upon come about?

- How much of the criteria does it answer?

- How much is fear getting in the way?

Can you imagine what civilization would be like if every Inventor, Artist, Architect, Scientist, Doctor, Politician, were afraid to put out and take action in their ideas, their inventions and creations?

Fear is okay, if you’re not stopped by it. If you are, it will interfere with your decisions.

The answer to why decisions are so difficult is the fear factor.

Fear obscures intuitive and spontaneous reactions. When you tune in to these responses, you can make a decision!

The first step to “Star Power!” is to value yourself. This is the job for your Authentic Self, not your Ego. Judgments and opinions are the Ego’s yardstick – valuing and appreciating who we are and all we go through constitute your Authentic Self.

It takes a long search before you can answer the question, “Who am I?”, through identifying with your Inner creative Authentic Self; that is, the you that hears the question and responds spontaneously…as you really are and feel it, when the lid is off.

The one you see in the mirror is the one others like, judge, don’t like, talk about, praise, insult. It’s the same YOU that judges how you look, and if you are acting in a way others will like. That YOU present yourself in a way for other’s approval and has little value for who you really are and in fulfilling your own desires and purpose.

On one remarkably transformative day, I realized that I wasn’t blond, blue-eyed, tall with broad shoulders. (The look I’d always wanted.) Now, although not all the actors I coach are remarkably beautiful – I seemed to have cornered the market on every gorgeous, blond, blue eyed, broad shouldered model and actress, just to taunt me. Mirror, mirror on the wall…

Lesson learned. Everyone is working it out and everyone has an immeasurable gift. If it’s up for a vote by your Inner creative Self, “You’re a Gem.”

So let’s get down to it: you were born You. You were given it. It’s Yours. It’s You. Value it and get on with your life with this new perspective.

An Inside Look at This Acting Technique Created By Sande Shurin

I began to develop a new acting technique in 1979/1980; rather it began to create itself through me – and it continues to do so. “Transformational Acting: A Step Beyond” is a book about the formative years of myself, this technique, why I created it…and a few fabulous decades that influence the work.

INTENTION

“We learn in particles, intention organizes it.

Everything in the world is set in motion through intention. All inner potential has the possibility of becoming a project through intention. Similarly, your character’s life is set in motion intentionally.”

CREATIVITY

“Creativity is looking at what could be/ what’s possible, rather than what is/ what has to be. To focus on doing it right or trying to figure out what they want is totally antithetical to the development of creativity. Throw the creativity out in front of you and let it pull you along and work in the spirit of creativity.”

RISK

“Taking risks equates going beyond your limitation, your boundaries, your frame of reference. As you challenge your ability to take risk, your perception shifts and you can see a new possibility. YOU DARE YOUR WALLS OF LIMITATIONS AND PUSH THEM OUT.”

PASSION

“We have it sexually and that’s partially because we can’t think about a visit to the accountant and have an orgasm at the same time. We are just in the moment having a meaningful experience to focus upon. We want to have a lot of inner passion. For film work we may not express the passion as we would for theatre. For film you might have a lot of passion and express it behaviorally, or express for theatre by throwing a chair across the room. But it has to come from the same emotional place on the inside.”

VULNERABILITY. Letting your SELF show.

“Your embarrassment, fear, etc.. Whatever we don’t want to feel is the key to opening us up. Standing with it and not running away is what opens us up that is key for our growth. A key word to all of this is ALLOWING. Allowing the energy and information to work on you. Allowing your self to assimilate it. Allowing your self to transform. Allowing your self to take risks and to work with passion”

For more information about “Transformational Acting” click here.

Just completed teaching the July Audition Intensive in New York City. I kept it simple this year. I gave a few of my pertinent notes about what industry professionals are looking for (CD, Directors, Producers, Agent, Managers) then Part 2 – I did private coaching – and working for the style of different Directors. Then Part 3 was about Image and Personal Story – good auditions, good quick results. The whole intensive lasted approximately 6 hours.

I’ve taught Actors to audition for at least twenty of the thirty years that I’ve been teaching my acting technique, Transformational Acting.

Each of the contexts and much of the content and processes are different year to year. For example, the context last year was “It’s Your Creation.” This year it was that “Everyone Auditions” — no matter who you are, what your profession, whether being interviewed for a job, getting your kid into a good school, or being on a date.

It’s about really bringing the best of you forward – not to be of misunderstood as “nice – sweet – happy” – that’s for the non-confrontave who wants you to play their mutual game. The bigger Player wants “You,” your Authentic You, that’s where trust and bonding occur. The Casting Director, Director and Producer want to see who you are – your vulnerabilities, your trigger points, how you really respond to the material and to what’s going on as well as to who you’re working with.

The other people want to connect with you – know that you’re listening to them and respond truthfully. Being who you are always wins!! And being the best you can be at every moment is a habit. Perhaps knowing the criteria of Authenticity with get you moving in that direction.

Checklist I gave to the Actors at the end of the day for Evaluating:

1) Start with breathing and silence.

2) Feel what you are feeling, not what you think the Character should be feeling.

3) Really listen, associate and respond – not with the response you think they want.

4) Are you revealing your vulnerability, strengths and emotions?

5) Are you in the moment, really here and now, presenced, not thinking about “later”?

6) Are you always ready?? For an audition or interview in another profession.

7) Don’t let the reader pace you.

If they give you nothing, listen to the words and let them trigger you.

9) It’s about what’s between the lines.

Know your technique as an Actor as for any professional. That is, be good at what you do – and be you.

Here we are three years since “The Secret” book and video introduced some of the once esoteric principles for the mainstream, primarily the Law of Attraction – “Like attracts Like,” and “Change your thoughts and you change your life.” Is there truth to the Law of Attraction? Yes!

So what has happened? What’s missing?

Other than President Obama having been elected, not too many positive events and aspects have emerged.

I say we’re skipping a big step by not bringing out and dealing with the middle level of who we are. That is, the circumstantial, day-to-day challenging emotions, thoughts and situations that comprise us and our lives. Instead we tend to push them down and work the techniques delivered in “The Secret.”

My Break-THRU workshops for twenty years have successfully helped people deal with whatever is in the way to getting and manifesting what’s next, the next level in their careers and lives. If nothing were in the way, we’d be there and have it already.

I believe in a combination of dealing with the middle/circumstantial layers and challenges. Start consciously working with your thoughts and feelings. Become aware of your feelings and what’s really going on for you and then work that into a more positive possibility.

This combination will be a potent technique for living the life of your dreams.