Bye Bye Busy

Hi There,

The last days of Summer might be winding down, but I’m taking its slower tempo lifestyle intentions with me into the Fall. Hear me out…

Take your time. Use your time. Enjoy yourself. Savor the moment. These are all foreign concepts while deep in the throes of hustle culture. But somehow, we give ourselves more latitude to engage in those aspirations during the summer months.

Usually, I struggle to just let myself relax. While I’m supposed to be Netflix and chilling, I open my phone and sneak in some IMDB research about the actors on-screen. Tying up loose ends for my daughters first birthday, I can’t help also thinking about assigning sides for workshops in the coming week. No matter the “regular life” circumstance, I frequently find myself musing about the craft, art, and career I love.

When pursuing work we care about, there are often thoughts pulling at the edges of our awareness, creeping into the areas of life that are supposed to be our free time. It means we’re never, really, anywhere. We’re always (just a little bit) at work, in practice, or planning. And our go-go-go culture tells us to pat ourselves on the back for our constant thoughts and dedication.

Except during Summer. During Summer, we give ourselves a break. Culturally, we all agree that Summer is different. That’s when we’ll take our time to refresh. Recharge. Enjoy. And we know the benefits of being present, recovering mentally and physically from the stress we experience in our day-to-day. But the Fall comes, and we abandon that rejuvenating spirit.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I could use a little bit of that pressure-release year-round. So, my new mantra: Summer is a state of mind. Wherever you are, be there. It doesn’t matter when.

Taking a season to stop, be present, quiet intrusive thoughts, and participate in the life that’s literally around me has been great. I could use even more of that. Why not keep it going?

Be well,

JC

Slowing down and engaging with new thoughts, techniques, and ideas reignites our love for the work. So many day-to-day experiences of a career in the arts are draining and uncertain. Making time to nourish your own creative spirit isn’t indulgent: it’s a damn necessity.

Sometimes this means taking time away from your career and craft entirely. But if you’re anything like me, immersing yourself in our art and creative culture is just as much a way to wind down.

This month, I hope you set aside some time to just relax. And when you’re ready to dip back into the work, here are three ways to indirectly engage with the craft and biz—and maybe still stay chill at the same time.

I’d just watched his wonderful work in the limited series Under the Banner of Heaven, and have long been a fan. But I hadn’t heard it! The interview did not disappoint.

The episode is an honest and informative conversation about how a theater kid found his way to film stardom.

http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-1359-andrew-garfield

Developing an eye for how the picture changes is essential for anyone working in the film industry. This book draws you in with both the visual elements that sparked the filmmaking, and the ideas behind how and why the filmmakers made the choices that ended up on screen.

Understanding why we see what’s in the frame, and more importantly what isn’t in the frame, has me watching film and television with a fresh eye.

Purchase on Amazon:
https://jamiecarroll.me/Shot-By-Shot-Amz

Purchase on Barnes & Noble:
https://jamiecarroll.me/Shot-By-Shot-BN

Purchase from an Independent Bookseller:
https://jamiecarroll.me/Shot-By-Shot-Indy

Or, check the stacks of your local Public Library.

His 7-minute video rewriting a simple scene is a great lesson in how to bring action into a scene as a writer. And an excellent mini course in mining the script for intention as an actor.