From Transformational Acting: A Step Beyond

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.”