The Official Newsletter Of The New Collective LA Acting Studio
Inspiration From Other Art Forms
The Seven Fine Arts
A Fine Art is defined as something created mainly for its beauty and intellectual value. It’s judged based on its aesthetic appeal and the depth of its meaning. The traditional seven fine arts include music, painting, sculpture, poetry, architecture, literature, and dance.
To see how acting fits into the fine arts, it's important to understand that although acting is technically a performing art, it is possible for acting to meet the standards of fine art. This happens when acting achieves genuine human significance. In order to accomplish this, an actor must be dedicated and selfless, committing to create each role with this ideal in mind. This is how having an appreciation for all of the arts can directly influence your growth and development.
Making Time
We must set aside time to fill our well of inspiration. Doing this is an important part of our creative work. Sometimes when we feel stuck, there is nothing better than spending an afternoon at a museum or art gallery. Or taking time to listen to music. Many of you are familiar with the joy of creating a playlist for a character you’re working on. It goes without saying that reading a new play is on the inspiration list, but don’t forget about literature. Countless novels have been turned into a great film or television show. Watching the movements of a gifted dancer can remind us how the power of movement can evoke the depth of the human soul.
Cindy Sherman: Trailblazer
Cindy Sherman: Untitled (Lucille Ball) 1975
The work of innovative artist, photographer & filmmaker, Cindy Sherman, succeeds in uniquely combining several mediums, including the art of acting. She rose to fame in the international art world with her series of black-and-white photographs, “Untitled Film Stills” (1977–80), which advanced the concept of narrative photography. In most of her works, Sherman is model, photographer, and director. Artists like Cindy Sherman remind us how all of the fine arts flow through one another. Her work encourages us to push boundaries, experiment and devise new ideas. Knowledge is power, and the more we can nurture an appreciation for all of the arts, the more we can discover and create our own path.
