September 2012
2 posts
4 tags
Listen To Me
Listen to me. Please. Because sometimes the things you’re telling yourself are not in your best interest. I hear the way you speak to yourself- saying things you’d never say to others. I see you approaching opportunities as though there’s no chance you’ll succeed. Listen to me. You can do this. Not because you’re so amazingly special, (which you may be, who knows?). Not because I say it’s so....
4 tags
Do You Pray?
Do you pray? Well… truth is, whether you know it or not, you do. Every thought is a silent message to the universe. Your thoughts determine who you are, who you’ll become and what elements come into your life. Are you worried? Worried you might not succeed? Worried about lack of money. Worried people will think poorly of you? Each of these thoughts is a fervent prayer for… exactly what you...
August 2012
3 posts
5 tags
Act, Take Action...Do!!
What do we all want but the opportunity to perform great material surrounded by brilliant artists in front of a respected audience? And it wouldn’t hurt if we could pay our bills in the process.
We struggle, we train, we hope, we wait.
One day, we promise, I will have that opportunity.
That day is today.
What are we waiting for? Waiting for HBO to call us and invite us to perform Aaron Sorkin’s...
4 tags
Dare To Achieve
I know. Talking about dreams labels me as a noodlehead. And I know there are many out there who give airy advice like “be true to yourself” thinking they’ve told you something you didn’t already know. They apply this advice to dreams, saying “live your dream”,leaving you wondering “How?”.
But if we can’t achieve our dreams, what’s the point? Isn’t a major part of life the satisfaction of proving...
4 tags
Actors...Every Day is YOUR Olympic Moment!
Did you watch the Olympics? Were you moved by the passion of the athletes; the idea that they have trained for so long for this one fleeting moment?
Sounds like someone I know.
I meet so many actors and creative artists who have traded so many luxuries and possibilities in order to pursue this dream. I see them study year after year; strain to keep their bodies fit and strong; humble themselves at...
July 2012
5 posts
4 tags
Be Inspired...
Did you know your city has art museums? And live theaters, and movie houses, and dance studios, and parks, and LIBRARIES?
An artist’s dream.
So, wake up, dreamers and take advantage of the inspiring resources waiting to elevate your art to the next level!
~Stuart K. Robinson
4 tags
What's your opinion?
What’s your opinion?
As an artist, it is essential to have an opinion: about things, people, moments, feelings… all of it. It’s so confusing when I meet actors who don’t read, travel, or engage in meaningful philosophical discussion.
How can you want to be an artist if you only want to paint by the numbers of the script?
And if you have no means of infusing your performance with the...
3 tags
Fear Itself
Fear Itself
I know, you’re sad. It’s a sad day when it comes crashing home that we’re not even safe seeing a movie at the local Cineplex. Confusing when weapons for “hunting” which hold 100 rounds are readily available to wreak life-altering damage. It makes you want to do the one thing you must not do: live in fear. Fear is the ultimate dream killer. And for artists, dreams are our life blood;...
4 tags
The Time is NOW
What are you waiting for? The right time? Permission? A guarantee of success? You don’t need me to tell you there is no right time. There will always be obstacles and complications. Permission? It’s a lot harder to get than forgiveness. And there are only two guarantees in life; neither have much to do with success. Acting is taking action. How can you achieve one without the other? Do you think...
5 tags
“I repeat: if you are a performing artist, you must allow Cirque du Soleil inside...”
– Stuart K. Robinson
June 2012
11 posts
5 tags
A Lesson
I visited my high school alma mater, Fairfax High, to teach the kids a few things about life.
They ended up teaching me.
They possessed such a spirit of adventure , acceptance, and generosity, it astounded me.
I asked these students of diverse heritages if the students grouped together on campus by ethnicity, the way they did back in my day. They didn’t know what I was talking about.
...
5 tags
To Pursue or Not to Pursue...
What sort of artist would I be if my actions were motivated by my fear of the opinions of others?
What kind of innovator would I be if I followed the actions and paths tread by all of those around me?
What gift do I really have if it remains in the wrapping, not given until the moment that fits within my comfort zone?
What creative force am I if I wait patiently for material and opportunity...
4 tags
Am I Headed In The Right Direction?
Have you ever followed directions to a destination you’ve never seen before? The directions tell you to take a certain street, but don’t tell you which way to turn. So you try turning left.
Now as you drive, you’re gripped by the fear that you’ve turned the wrong way. Every block you travel could be taking you farther from where you want to be. But if you turn around, you may be stopping just...
2 tags
5 tags
Why We Act?
I remember vividly a point in my acting career where I planned to give up. I felt I had no more strength to fight the daily battles requires to continue auditioning for my monthly income.
I was doing a play at the time in Los Angeles. On closing night, I felt a sense of relief: “finally the struggle to maintain an acting career is over”. I walked onto the stage to take my bow, and the audience…...
4 tags
CELL PHONE AS A BUSINESS WEAPON
Who gave you a business card or an email address lately?
Did you call or email?
Or, like me, do you have a stack of cards on your desk waiting for some “perfect reason” to re-establish contact?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t give out my contact info unless I want someone to reach me. Doesn’t matter if there’s a project on the table to discuss; the contact puts that person in my thinking....
3 tags
A WORD TO ALL “REALITY TV” HATERS
Okay, let’s talk about Reality Television. Hate it? Well, there’s lot’s to hate about it, but it is here to stay. Not because it’s good; because it’s cheap to make, and people will watch it, if marketers tell them to.
But before you dismiss R.T. all together, take a look at “Secret Millionaire”. Here’s a reality show with real successful people going out and “helping” real citizens who turn out...
tumblrbot asked: WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT ON YOUR PLANET?
struckbyskyrai asked: As an actor, what are some good notes he or she should take/write down while going over scripts?
kevinphenry asked: What is a good example of an actor in a film who was miscast really turning in a great performance, in spite of being miscast? Does any film or actor come to mind? Thanks Stuart!
3 tags
My Thoughts on Arsenio Hall
I tweeted that I want to talk to Arsenio Hall @ArsenioOFFICIAL. No one seemed to notice. Never mind that he won Celebrity Apprentice - I didn’t think they’d choose him.
I knew Arsenio back in the day; we were competitors, but he was always kind and generous. Saw me in line one night at The Comedy Store and grabbed me & my date and walked us in to comped seats - unasked. That’s when I knew...
May 2012
4 posts
3 tags
Someone is stealing Actors' money!
Someone is stealing actors’ money. If you know me, you know I tell it like it is. If you’re an actor, there’s a good chance you’re being robbed of precious dollors. Who is the thief? You. Let’s do the math. By definition, the role of a talent agent involves two things: getting you auditions and negotiating contracts. That’s it. And the powers that be, have determined this job is worth ten...
3 tags
Experience vs Reality TV
I have regrets.
I should’ve. I would’ve. I could’ve.
When I was making my living as an actor, all I wanted was to do quality work on a regular basis. I would have been fine with becoming a star, but it wasn’t my priority. I did not seek it passionately.
Had I realized then that we live in a “heat” based world, I would have done everything in my power to become famous. With that notoriety my...
4 tags
Want an agent? This is a MUST read!
My Twitter @stuartkcreative was buzzing. Over the weekend I became frustrated because several talented artists I had recommended to agents were turned down. At first my ego got tweaked. I mean, how dare anyone not see the potential in someone The Great Meeeeee has offered?! Then I came back to earth, and got to work finding out what went wrong in the process.
After several generic alibis from...
4 tags
Voice-over Actors muted by celebrities...what...
Okay, let’s get real about Monday’s L.A. Times article titled “Stars Muffle Voice-over Actors”.
Yes, this development (companies choosing celebrities for voice-over rather than lesser known pro voice artists) is just more evidence of a shrinking market for the ‘middle class’ actor, but we have to be honest and admit that the voice-over community has always been a somewhat exclusive club. You...
January 2012
4 posts
4 tags
“In a commercial audition- you’re applying for a job that lasts only 29...”
– ~Stuart K. Robinson
Tools for Artists to retain their sanity
3 tags
“Whether you believe it or not, auditions are about how you make people feel....”
– ~Stuart K. Robinson
Tools for Artists to retain their sanity
4 tags
“A Casting Director looks at between 1400 and 6000 thumbnails of headshots per...”
– Tools for Artists to Retain Their Sanity
4 tags
“For several years I have shared my feelings that I believe the Internet and...”
– ~Stuart K. Robinson
Tools for Artists to retain their sanity
October 2011
1 post
2 tags
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