Posts Tagged ‘potential’

Just received a wonderful letter from Anitra Frazier, author of the book “The Natural Cat”, in compliments of  my new book, “Star Power”.

I looked at this letter as if it were an artifact from a different time period. I mean, when was the last time you received a letter? Not a bill but a personal note. I would guess that 98% of our communication is online, texts, and cell calls.

When will e-mails be a thing of the past?  We outdate ourselves so quickly, it might be sooner than we can imagine. And what will take its place?  Mental Telepathy? Or instant holographic messages that appear in front of us as we think them into being?

I loved talking with people at our Thanksgiving dinner. Yet I checked my e-mail before and directly after the event. I stand between very much liking the easier and less time consuming communication of e-mail, at my own convenient time, and the humanity of personal connection and laughter. It’s good for the soul.

“Dear Sande,

~ Anitra”

Anitra Frazier
Best-selling author, “The Natural Cat” and Broadway Actress

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.

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.

“Spring continues this year’s Studio theme of Playing It Forward and living the Present as you want the future to be. This season of Renewal brings the best in us into our lives, work and Relationships as we move onward. We can trust that each Spring, we emerge as we are, consistently transforming through our commitment to creativity, awareness, timing (master in classes) to harmonize and experiment in a way that furthers the ongoing development and level of our Potential emergence.”

~ Sande Shurin