imaginative essay on a day in your life as an actor

education that inspires learners of all ages

A Day In The Life of My Imagination (Part 1)

Norman is Emeritus Professor of Higher Education at the University of Surrey and Founder of Lifewide Education and Creative Academic. He has long standing interests in creativity, learning through life and the ecology of learning and is a member of the imaginED community.

This post is in three parts. The first provides a narrative of some instances of using my imagination in a typical day in my life. The second and third parts try to make sense of my experiences of using my imagination through the use of several conceptual tools.

I had spent several hours proof reading and making the final edits to our latest edition of Creative Academic Magazine 1 , a process that requires little imagination at the end of a project over several months that requires lots of imagination and a great deal more in order to come to fruition. By the afternoon it was ready to publish on the website and I posted a notice and a link on facebook. It wasn’t long before I saw that GJ had commented on my post so I took the opportunity to message her about the zoom meeting, suggesting that the starting point for any discussion about imagination should be, ‘how do we actually use our own imagination?’

“If we were to take any day and think about how we used our imagination during the day – from the moment we opened our eyes to the moment we had our final thoughts of the day… what would it look like?”

Gillian thought it was a good question and invited me to write a post for the  imaginED blog . This post describes what happened the following day.

May 28 th A Day in My Life

Scene 1: thinking ahead – exploring possibilities.

It’s just after 6am although I am not aware of the time as I emerge from sleep. I begin to become aware- the lightness and freshness in the room, the window has been open and it’s a little chilly. I can hear the birds singing outside, the distant sound of traffic on the road, and movements in the corridor – my wife I imagine.

As I lie semi-aware I start to think about some of the things I will or should do today. I would like to continue with the work in the garden I had begun yesterday – I pictured the area of dead bushes I had taken out and imagined continuing to cut them back, dig out the roots of bramble, add some nourishment to the soil and put down grass seeds. I pictured grass growing where weed infested, twig strewn bare ground now lies and felt a little surge of motivation to continue my project.

As my mind began to clear I remembered I am participating in a zoom conference this evening and imagined what it might be like from my past experiences of zoom events. I also visualised the background paper I have to read and the things I have to do to join the event and began to reason when I might do this.

A more immediate problem came into my mind. I have to transfer some money to my brother in Australia and it has been a bit of a rigmarole. I tried to do it over the phone yesterday but lacked some information, I know he would have sent it so I imagined myself making this transfer online.

Another ‘problem’ came into my mind – I have twin grandsons and its their 8 th birthday in 2 days. Their parents are buying them a Nintendo Wii play station. I had promised to buy them a game which I had ordered on Amazon. I am hoping it will arrive today but I don’t have a birthday card so I started thinking about where I might buy a card. Under normal circumstances we would throw a birthday party for the family at the weekend but we are still in lockdown so I imagined going to their house for an hour and sitting in their garden eating some birthday cake.

My thoughts then turned to my youngest daughter who is returning to her workplace after 8 weeks working from home during the Covid 19 lockdown. She had lost her accommodation during the crisis and I am helping her look for new accommodation. I had spent several days off and on looking at air B&B but so far she had not booked anything. We had whittled it down to two possible hotels for the first week – one much nicer but considerably more expensive than the other and I tried to see the two possibilities from her perspective imagining what the hotels might be like from the descriptions I had read and the respective journeys to work. Alongside my visualisations I could see my reasoning working away to try to work out what advice I might give her.

Perhaps 10 mins had elapsed since I began to wake up but now I am fully awake and so I get out of bed and into the routines I practise everyday.

While brushing my teeth I think of the first few minutes of my journey to awareness and realise that even this mundane, nothing special story of a few minutes in my life illustrates just how important and valuable my imagination is to my sense of who I am .

Anecdote:  It was lunchtime and I was having a sandwich in the garden with one of my daughters. I asked her ‘how did she use her imagination in ordinary everyday settings’. Immediately she volunteered, “I use it to help me get out of bed in the morning”.

It transpired that she did exactly what I did in my opening scene to think ahead and build pictures of what she was going to do that day and to help her plan what she might do once she had the picture in her mind (I noticed she used the word picture). We talked about other things, but I thought it was interesting that the first thing that came into her head was also the first thing that came into my consciousness that morning.

Scene 2: Visualising And Implementing Change

I did indeed get into the garden later in the day to continue what I had started the day before. It was hot and sweat dripped off my forehead as I dug up brambles and other weeds, and cut off dead branches from the conifers before hauling them away for burning. As I toiled I kept thinking about what this much neglected patch of garden might look like in a year when I have levelled the ground, enriched the soil, grown grass and perhaps landscaped it with ferns.

I kept visualising a Japanese garden with its twisted conifers and stones. Every time I made a significant cut I tried to visualise what the tree would look like after I had made the cut. As I was working I remembered I had a pile of wood chippings that I can use under the trees.  An image of the pile of wood chips at the bottom of the garden came into my mind to give substance to the idea. The image enabled me to see the possibility of using the chips in the change I was trying to bring about and when I had finished my cutting and weeding I did indeed lay down a layer of wood chips under and around the trees.

The thought of making a positive difference to this little patch of long neglected ground motivated me to press on. In a few hours of work I saw the difference I had made and it made me feel positive about what I was doing. I am sure that this feeling will sustain me and encourage me to continue transforming this part of the garden.

Scene 3: Exploring Ideas – Making New Meaning

My third snapshot of how I used my imagination today is related to my work.  I am participating in a year-long inquiry organised by the Learning Innovations Laboratory (LILA) in the education faculty of Harvard University on the theme of learning ecologies.

Last October I helped facilitate a two day event in Boston and tonight is the first of two zoom summit events where participants meet to consider the outcomes from the year long inquiry. I had been sent a briefing paper to read and a link to a video I was expected to watch so I spent a chunk of the day reviewing the materials. I jotted down a number of points before identifying a potential theme and imagining, by sketching onto a piece of paper, how I could connect or synthesise these points into a bigger and more meaningful picture.

The zoom event, a one hour keynote presentation by Ann Pendleton-Jullian and John Seely Brown (two of my favourite thinkers), was scheduled for 8pm my time and I wasn’t disappointed. Their talk was formed around the idea of hyper-connectivity (the infinitely complex interconnectedness and entanglements of people, things, events, wicked problems) that creates a ‘white water world’ full of uncertainty, turbulence, instability and disruption, and how this context requires us to design organisations and our own engagements with the world in new (ecological) ways.

What emerged was a powerful exposition of the centrality of human imagination in working with such complexity and the need for humans to develop abilities in abductive reasoning in order to create missing pieces of information in complex informational jigsaw puzzles ‘ by imagining and exploring what could possibly be ?’ My exposure to these ideas reinforced my belief that these thinkers make an overwhelming case for educational systems to make the development of ‘imagination’ and abductive reasoning a central concern.

As I tried to absorb the information I was being given I became excited by the idea of “ seeing how an object can be changed through connections ” which have to first be imagined rather than enacted. I connected this thought in my own mind to the idea of affordance – opportunities to act and to the idea that unique individuals with unique imaginations working in unique contexts results in individuals perceiving unique affordances in the world that has meaning to them. A small but significant insight for me in my ongoing exploration of the idea of ‘ learning ecologies .’

May 28 th A Day of Creation

May 28 th was no different to many other days in my life.  A lot of mundane stuff happened together with one out-of-the-ordinary event.

But looking back it was a day of creation in which I used my imagination to visualise how something might be different and then acted upon this thought to change the something. As far as I am concerned these are acts of everyday little-c creativity 2 .

I consider myself to be a writer so it was not unusual for me to spend time writing but it was a novel experience for me to tell a story about my imagination driven by the belief that the effort involved would pay off in enabling me to gain new insights into how my imagination worked for me.

It would be wrong to think of this article as a reflective essay written after the event. The way it was constructed  is consistent with Tim Ingold’s view of creativity who says, “to read creativity ‘forwards’, as an improvisatory joining in with formative processes, rather than ‘backwards’, as an abduction from a finished object to an intention in the mind of an agent.” 3   Like creativity, we have to read our imagination forwards as it emerges in particular contexts, acts and circumstances. It is no use seeing the result of our actions that have been inspired by end product and then working backwards to join up the dots.

I wrote the article in three sessions as the day unfolded and two sessions on the following day. I wrote scene 1 at 8am and wrote my anecdote and scene 2 at 3pm together with the first part of scent 3. Scene 4 was written at 10pm together with most of my sense making (shared in part 2 of my narrative). I did a final read through, edits and additions the next morning before sending my article to GJ. After the article was accepted for the imaginED blog I did some restructuring and edits as the article was divided into three parts and added some additional thoughts to part 2 and 3.

Although I imagined the idea of telling the story of how I used my imagination during a typical day in my life before Gillian’s invitation to write for the imaginED blog, it was created in response to her invitation. The invitation provided the affordance for me to turn my imagined idea into productive action aimed at producing what I hoped would be a useful artefact. When I emerged from my sleep this morning, the idea was present in my mind and came to life in a conscious imagined thought when I was cleaning my teeth. This thought generated the impulse to act. After making a cup of tea I sat down and tried to remember as much of my waking up as I could. At first it was just a series of notes but then my writer’s imagination began to weave the notes into a story as I gained pleasure from the process of revelation.

In part two of my narrative of a day in the life of my imagination I use some simple tools to try to dig deeper into what my imagination means to me and how I used it on May 28 th .

• Exploring and Celebrating Creative Self-Expression. Creative Academic Magazine #16 available at: https://www.creativeacademic.uk/magazine.html
• Kaufman, J and Behgetto R (2009) Beyond Big and Little: The Four C Model of Creativity Review of General Psychology Vol. 13, No. 1, 1–12 Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228345133_Beyond_Big_and_Little_The_Four_C_Model_of_Creativity
• Ingold T (2010) Bringing Things to Life: Creative Entanglements in a World of Materials. Working Paper #15 ESRC National Centre for Research Methods NCRM Working Paper Series,  http://eprints.ncrm.ac.uk/1306/1/0510_creative_entanglements.pdf

Interested in Reading More?

Stayed tuned to learn more about Norman’s reflections on imagination in Part 2 and Part 3 of this post.

Share this:

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Login with:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get Updates!

Subscribe by email.

Your Email Leave this field blank

This form is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• About Edublogs
• Edublogs.org
• Documentation

Essay on A Day in the Life of a Superhero

If I were to awaken one day with superpowers, the first emotion that would course through me is a sense of responsibility. Being a superhero is not just about flaunting abilities; it’s about using them for the greater good. With this in mind, my day as a superhero would be dedicated to helping others and making the world a better place.

The morning sun would find me patrolling the city, ever watchful for any signs of injustice. Whether it’s thwarting a mugging, rescuing a cat from a tree, or preventing accidents on the road, my powers would be devoted to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.

As a superhero, I would have the ability to heal the sick and injured with a mere touch. Hospitals and clinics would be my first stop, where I could provide instant relief to those in pain. My presence would serve as a ray of hope for those battling illnesses.

To make the world a better place, I would also tackle environmental issues. With the power to control the elements, I could extinguish wildfires, purify polluted waters, and even influence weather patterns to prevent natural disasters.

Knowledge is a superpower in itself. In the afternoon, I would visit schools and universities, inspiring students to pursue education and make positive changes in the world. My message would be clear: anyone can be a hero through knowledge and determination.

Superheroes aren’t just about physical strength; they also promote peace and unity. In conflict zones, I would work to mediate and bring about peaceful resolutions. My presence alone could inspire diplomacy and cooperation.

My day would conclude with acts of kindness—providing food, shelter, and support to the homeless and those in need. With super-speed, I could organize large-scale charity events and distribute aid to regions affected by poverty and disaster.

A day in the life of a superhero would be a whirlwind of actions and emotions. It would be a day dedicated to selflessness, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of a better world. The key lesson from this hypothetical scenario is that one doesn’t need superpowers to make a difference. Acts of kindness, courage, and compassion performed by ordinary individuals can also create a profound impact on society.

The allure of superpowers may forever remain a dream, but the power to do good and make the world a better place resides within each of us. In our daily lives, we can be superheroes by extending a helping hand, standing up against injustice, and working towards a brighter, more compassionate world for all.

More Educational Resources

Explore similar educational resources that improve a variety of skills and cultivate a love for learning.

A Visit to a Village Fair

A Rainy Day in Summer

Guglielmo Marconi

Leisure – make good use of it

• A Day in the Life of an Actor

by Joshua Siegel

It is not all glitz and glamour. Here is a typical day in the live of an actor.

More by joshua siegel.

• Getting Started in Film Acting
• Who's Who in the Acting Biz
• About Casting Directors
• The Casting Process in Action
• Headshot & Photo Examples
• Actor Resume Examples
• Audition Basics
• Cold Reading
• An Interview with Talent Agent Angela Morris
• An Interview with Casting Director Judy Belshe

Related Articles

• Developing a Pre-Performance Routine
• Life as a Movie Extra
• Finding Time For Fitness

Reader Comments

No comments exist yet..

Be the first to post a comment on this page.

No HTML, links, emails, phone numbers, addresses, profanities, or all caps please. (Message Rules)

Recommended Stories

Acting Success Tips

Film & Stage Acting

Tips for Beating Shyness

Become a Star

Acting tips & advice.

How to Choose a Great Headshot Photographer

Advice to Actors on Cold Reading & Booking Jobs

The Secret to Dealing with Audition Rejection

How Do You Build A Successful Acting Career?

• Become a Movie Extra - It's Easy
• How to Become an Actor
• First Steps to Becoming an Actor
• Step by Step Guide to Becoming an Actor
• Sign Up to Become an Actor
• How to Start an Acting Career
• How to Get Started Acting
• Break into Showbiz
• About Talent Agents
• About Managers
• What are Casting Calls?
• Casting Calls Yell Be Discovered!
• The Casting Process Explained
• Film and Stage Acting
• Where to Learn Film Acting
• How Do You Choose The Right Acting Classes?
• Top US Undergraduate Acting Programs
• Top US Graduate Acting Programs
• How to Get Great Headshots
• The Perfect Headshot
• How to Write an Actor's Resume
• Creating the Perfect Acting Resume
• Actor Cover Letter Tips
• Actor Cover Letter Examples
• Tips for the Beginning Actor
• How to get Discovered
• Grab the Casting Directors' Attention
• How to Get a Talent Agent
• How to Find a Talent Agent
• Conquer Your Audition Jitters
• Coping with Audition Nerves
• Audition Procedures
• Tips for a Successful Audition
• Improve Every Audition
• Auditions and What to Expect
• Seven Steps for a Successful Acting Career
• The Secret to Showbiz Success
• A Simple Tip for Acting Success

StageMilk / How-To Guides for Actors / How to Develop Your Imagination as an Actor

How to Develop Your Imagination as an Actor

If we were to oversimplify the process of developing our craft as actors, I’d say our two main areas of focus should be the following: technique and imagination. Technique speaks for itself; there are certain skills we need to develop as storytellers to be able to do our jobs effectively and efficiently. Imagination, on the other hand, is less tangible. It’s difficult to measure, and it may seem less crucial than our technical abilities, but the truth is that the imaginative quality of an actor is the factor that separates the good actors from the truly exceptional ones. 

However, ways to develop our imagination can be harder to access. When developing our technique, we have classes and exercises coming out of our ears to engage with, but for our imagination this is not always the case. Today let’s let our imaginations run wild and figure out a few ways we can develop it, and in doing so we may just become better actors. In this article, I’ll outline what’s at the core of imaginative development, why we should develop our imaginations, 7 actions to take for developing it and finally, a 7-day challenge to undertake for yourself and your own imaginative growth. 

How Can You Develop Your Imagination?

Why should you develop your imagination.

• Enaging With Other Art Forms
• Watching the World
• Reducing Screen Time
• Watching Other Actors
• Pre-Input Time
• Develop Your Imagination: 7 Day Challenge

So, what is at the core of this process? What is the one thing we need to do to start this journey of imaginative development? Allow me to be simple and clear: curiosity. Being curious is the foundation of all imaginative growth. Without curiosity we are fixed, we are unable to expand our minds and belief systems. This foundation factors into the fixed and growth mindset models I have harped on about before. Here’s a great breakdown of these two options you have: 

This image outlines the two options for our mindset as human beings: a growth mindset or a fixed mindset. When it comes to the growth of our imagination, curiosity is at the centre.

By being curious, by questioning ourselves and the world around us, we are able to broaden our horizons of what is possible. In doing this, our imagination expands. I’ll go into more detail about the various ways and actions we can take to additionally improve our imaginations, but this first step is really the key to the whole process. As soon as we feel we ‘know’ something – the answer, the character – we are no longer a place where we may learn or grow. We must remain curious consistently. Without this we cannot hope to expand our imaginations an inch farther than they have already gone. So, why is this important? Why would we bother trying to develop our imaginations in the first place?

So why are we talking about this? What really is the benefit of striving to build our imaginations? The process of becoming a better actor can quickly become quite esoteric – all of a sudden we’ve gone from practising scenes to doing ‘animal work’, figuring out our personality position on the enneagram, or deciding which chakra we should move from. Each of these processes can be useful for individual actors, but one skill which is deeper and more potent than any of these things is empathy . As actors we need empathy to be able to understand our characters and what they are going through. We need empathy to connect to our characters and be able to portray them effectively. 

The definition of empathy is the following:

Empathy: noun – the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Notice the difference between this definition and that of sympathy:

Sympathy: noun – feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune.

Sympathy is directed towards something from a distance. Empathy by contrast is the immersion in someone’s experience. The ability to feel first hand what they are going through. This skill is crucial for actors, as our entire craft is about understanding and portraying lives which do not belong to us. And what is the key to empathy? Imagination. Without imagination, we cannot hope to put ourselves in the shoes of another. 

No matter how much we develop our technique , (all the technical elements of our performance: voice, physicality ect) without empathy, without imagination, our craft will be limited to our own experience of life. We will never be able to effectively portray the lives of others with any sophistication. 

To be able to act well we must be able to empathise. In order to empathise, we must truly have brilliant and curious imaginations. Curiosity leads to imagination. Imagination leads to empathy. Empathy is the key resource for the actor.

Ways to Develop Your Imagination

There are a number of ways you can develop your imagination.

#1 Engage With Other Art Forms

Art is the manifestation of the imagination. Art comes in many shapes and forms, just like the imaginations which form it. As actors, we can often fall into the trap of limiting our exposure to art to the forms which most closely apply to us. As actors we typically seek out the performative art forms: acting, singing, dancing, opera ect. All forms which involve a human being standing on a stage or being captured on screen and using their instrument (themselves) to tell a story. This is essential for us to do, but it’s also important that we expose ourselves to all the other ways imagination manifests itself in the world around us. 

We can develop our imagination by engaging with fine art – art on canvas or created as a sculpture. Music in all its forms and genres can be incredibly inspiring to engage with, and we should challenge ourselves to seek outside our comfort zones with the music we listen to. Do you love classical music? Listen to some punk rock. Are you a lover of all things rock n roll? Try listening to jazz, or latin music, or swing. Challenge yourself to push the boundaries of what you’re familiar with. All of these steps of exploration into new art forms will expand your perception of what’s possible in art, performance and storytelling. 

Other art forms you may not have considered for your development as an actor before include: Calligraphy, Architecture, Photography, (film photography!!) fashion design, interior design, street art, Japanese Taiko drumming, martial arts, and many more.

For me personally I started viewing my craft differently as an actor when I took up film photography as a hobby. Through the lens of my camera I was forced into a new perspective of the world. The medium required me to take my time, figure out how to tell a story through understanding the technique and what story I wanted to tell. 

It may seem counter intuitive, but sometimes stepping away from acting into the world is just the thing we need to re engage our imaginations and find new inspiration and creativity.

I’m sure this is on half the self development lists across the world wide web, so I apologise if reading this point makes you roll your eyes – BUT, developing your reading habit is on all of these lists for good reason. It’s essential for so many things. Here are the top five benefits that came up for me when I searched online: 

• Reading improves your brain connectivity
• Reading improves your vocabulary and comprehension
• Reading reduces stress and lowers your blood pressure and heart rate
• Reading prevents cognitive decline as you age
• Reading increases your ability to empathise with other people .

If those five reasons aren’t convincing enough for you, I don’t know what will be. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve battled my commitment and enthusiasm to read my whole life. I’ll go through patches of reading like a maniac and then extended periods where I don’t touch a book. I’ve gone outside the box, listening to audiobooks and even buying a Kindle to read 26 books at the same time, but for whatever reason, the habit will occasionally slip. This is ok and natural, I try not to beat myself up too much about it. But we must continue to strive to read as much as possible. Novels are incredibly useful for actors – the insight we get into the subtext of the story, the inner monologues of the characters and the filling in of the gaps we wouldn’t get in a film script or play are all of great value. Read non-fiction, too. Read history, philosophy. Read about economics or science or whatever thrills you or bewilders you. Again, curiosity is key – reading is the simplest and most effective way to engage with what it would be like to live a life which isn’t yours.

“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.”  ― Oscar Wilde

Once you’ve spent some time with another person’s words, it’s time to write some of your own down! Writing, whether creating your own fiction or simply journaling your thoughts, is a fantastic way of cultivating the imagination and allowing it to run free. 

Putting pen to paper can be an intimidating hurdle to begin with. Rather than trying to write the next instalment of the Lord of the Rings, I’d highly advise new writers to start with a journal entry. Journaling can be a strange and foreign task at first, but once you’re past the first few days the benefits become really clear. Journalling is a form of therapy and has similar benefits to meditation (which we’ll come to next). 

Don’t worry about setting productivity goals for yourself or getting your writing to a place where you can share it with people. To begin with, just write. Write for you. Write weird, write free. Write a short story about something whacky and nonsensical. There’s no pressure and no risk, so why not give it a shot? 

The benefits of developing this skill obviously cascade for the actor, too. Maybe through writing you discover you actually feel really fulfilled by it and start writing scripts which you can also act in. Or maybe the process of writing gives you an insight into what scriptwriters are really trying to get across in their plays or screen plays? Writing can really only be beneficial for you as an actor, so I’d recommend you start it in any form today.

#4 Meditation

Our imagination is an incredibly powerful force. When the imagination is not tamed, it can actually become quite destructive. There are two sides to the coin of imagination, and only one side is worth trying to develop as actors. On one side, there is the side of our imagination which leads us down dark alleyways of resentment, self doubt and fear. The other side, the one we wish to cultivate and set free, leads us through a meadow of creativity, hopefulness and expansive possibilities. Meditation is a tool which can help us recognise when we are focusing on the negative aspects of imagination rather than the positive.

There are many different types of meditation, but at its most basic form meditation gives us the ability to decide whether or not we identify with our thoughts. It makes us able to see thoughts for what they really are: just thoughts. We are not our thoughts, our thoughts are just a part of our consciousness and lived experience. 

Meditation has many effects, but when it comes to developing the imagination there are few things more effective. Taking the time to meditate in whichever form you find works best for you can simply clear all the junk out of your head, and allow space for the imagination to roam freely, creatively and positively. 

If you’re not already meditating, I’d highly recommend investigating the practice. There are dozens of apps which can help you start this process. I’ve used Waking Up , Headspace and Insight Timer before, they are all fantastic and I would highly recommend any of them as a great starting place.

#5 Watching the World

I think there’s a theme emerging here: imaginative development is a process which requires us to both step away from the onslaught of stimulus coming our way and step towards a lived experience which is unlike our own. Taking the time to sit in the world and simply let our imaginations run free can be hugely beneficial. 

I think there’s a scary lack of boredom in the world at the moment. Yes, a lot of us have been locked down due to COVID-19, but we have access to so much stimulus, that I would argue few of us have allowed ourselves to get to a stage of positive boredom. The kind of boredom which gives rise to creativity, where the mind isn’t processing a huge amount of information and is instead given the time and space to think outside the box and be creative.

When was the last time you sat and watched the world go by? When was the last time you daydreamed and made up stories in your mind about why that stranger is running to catch the bus, or what made that person smile? In a world which is constantly telling us what we should be thinking about and concerned about, turn your attention instead to the world around you. See how inherently peaceful it is and see how your mind fills the space where digital input from your phone or device would have been. Engaging with this practise regularly can be essential in the rehearsal room or on set where you need to find freedom and the ability to function in high-pressure environments. you need to be able to engage with your imagination regardless of the situation, to be able to continually dig deeper into the character and make more and more interesting choices.

#6 Reducing Screen Time

This way to develop your imagination follows hard upon our last point. If you wish to develop your imagination, then as much as you can, reduce your non-essential screen time! It’s really important in this pursuit. Every moment on your phone scrolling aimlessly through social media is a moment where the mind and imagination is being directed and moulded. Conversely, each moment away from a screen and instead in the world is a moment for the mind to become curious and expansive.

Please don’t allow me to get high and mighty about this – I am as much a victim of social media scrolling as the next person. But it is an aim of mine to consistently reduce this time and instead put my attention into something which will allow me to develop or free my imagination. Any of the items on this list can do just that. 

Taking the reins back from your device is always going to be a worthwhile process. Anything which controls me or dictates my mindset and behaviour is something to be wary of. Start the process of regaining control of your willpower so you can place your attention where you feel it is best placed.

#7 Watching Other Actors

Sometimes, when I act, I feel like I need to reinvent the wheel. Like I need a new process every time or I need to solely draw on my own lived experience to generate the performance. That’s rubbish. Don’t do that. Don’t listen to me. Well, listen to me, just don’t do what I did. Engage with the work of performers who have come before you! You are standing on the shoulders of giants in this industry. Know what work has come before you and how it has shaped your perception of what makes ‘good acting’. Watching other people act should never limit your work, only expand its possibilities.

As well as this, engage with acting which is outside your normal range of exploration. Watch films made before you were born. Watch films which were made in a country which has a different language and culture to yours. Watch really early films. Watch black and white films, watch Chaplin, watch German Expressionism. All of these films and performances have informed where the industry is today, and it’s part of your responsibility as an actor in this industry to understand and appreciate that fact. 

Watching these films and performers will also broaden your horizons when it comes to your imagination. Actors you’ve never seen before may perform in ways which you didn’t think were possible or would work, and now suddenly it’s been proved to you that it is possible, it does work. 

This point is twofold: Watch a wide range of films, and watch a wide range of actors. These two actions will drastically improve your own imagination and abilities as an actor. And also, how great is it to be able to watch movies and genuinely say, “I’m working on my craft”!

#8 Pre-Input Time

I want to cap off this list with a final note about the importance of what’s been called “pre-input time”. Pre-input is the time following you waking up in the morning until you look at your phone and/ or check your emails. It is an incredibly precious space where your subconscious mind is still processing and considering the things it has dug up in your memory and imagination overnight, before turning its attention to the work of the day. This is a valuable time when it comes to the development of your imagination. 

To begin with, lengthening the time between waking and looking at a device is crucial. If the first thing we do when we open our eyes is shove a phone in front  of our face, we really reduce the potential for our imaginations to wander and be curious.

Overnight, our subconscious minds have pieced together a tonne of information from your past for your conscious mind to dissect and consider. It’s really valuable for us to take this time pre-input in the morning to do any one of the above actions for developing our imaginations. I, personally, love to write during this time. Whilst writing pre-input I am able to get some of these thoughts onto a page to consider in reality. I am unburdened by the ‘to do list’ of the day, so I am able to stay with my imagination and dreams from the night before.

Explore this time “pre-input” in your day, and see how you can best use it to mine it for the secrets and discoveries of your imagination and subconscious mind!

7 Day Challenge

We have a list with 7 items, so why don’t we turn this into a 7-day challenge? Here’s your recipe to kickstart the development of your imagination:

Day One: Take yourself on an ‘Artist Date’

Julia Cameron talks about this practise a LOT in her book, The Artist’s Way . It’s wonderful. Simply block out a few hours one day where you can take yourself (solo, preferably) without distractions to experience something which will cultivate your imagination. This could be a museum, gallery, performance, sporting event, you name it. Something which is going to allow you to consider the world in a different way. 

Day Two: Commit to a habit of reading for the rest of the week

Including today, there are six days left. Aim to read for at least 10-15 minutes each day, starting today. If you’re not already mid-way through a book, this is a great opportunity to start reading something out of your comfort zone.

Day Three: It’s time to get writing

Set a timer for 45 minutes, remove all distractions from your vicinity and write freely for that time. You might like to journal, you might like to write fiction. Whatever it is, see what happens when you focus on the single task of writing for 45 minutes. Notice whether this length of time is difficult for you to commit to a single task? Notice any yearning you have to look at your phone? All of these impulses are useful to take note of to see how reliant our minds and imaginations are on external stimulation.

Day Four: Complete a 10 minute meditation

This might not sound like a long time, but for the beginner meditator ten minutes can be a significant challenge. If you’re used to meditating, feel free to do more. But at the very least, set yourself aside 10 minutes free from distraction somewhere nice where you can sit quietly and experience consciousness. Observe the thoughts which arise, and watch them fade away. Everything you experience is simply an object of consciousness, nothing that you necessarily need to identify with. 

Day Five: Artist Date #2: ‘The Human Zoo’

It’s time to take yourself out on another artist date, this time to do some people-watching. Sit yourself down somewhere you’re able to non-invasively watch the world go by. Perhaps bring some headphones and music with you and/ or a notepad and pen for jotting down some thoughts. Sit for a while, aim for at least 45 minutes, and just let your imagination wander for a few moments to some of the people walking by you. Allow yourself to wonder about these people’s lives, what they’re worried about, what they’re excited about, where they’ve been, where they’re going. Be careful not to linger too long with a single person as you may make them feel uncomfortable. Just let your imagination be curious for a few moments then let it drift to the next person, then the next. This process is not about getting the answers ‘right’ about the lives of strangers, it’s about entertaining the possibility of what could be.

Day Six: Cut your screen time in half

This one might send some shockwaves through your system. If you’re a frequent device user (as most of us are) check and see how long your average screen time for your main device is. I’m an iPhone user, and Apple makes this process pretty simple. All I need to do is open Settings, then press ‘Screen Time’. Once you’ve identified your average screen time, now commit to spending the day with half that amount of time spent on a screen. If you’re not much of a screen time person, challenge yourself even more. Can you only check your phone between the hours of 4-5pm for today? In whatever way best suits your lifestyle, challenge yourself to experience a day of minimal screen time. Allow as much opportunity as possible for your imagination to be free to wander. 

Day Seven: Watch a non- algorithm movie

If you’re subscribed to a streaming platform, you’ll know that they have us pretty well figured out. They know what types of movies we like to watch, and usually we’re suggested all our favourite movies on the home page. Today, think outside the box. Break the algorithm. Watch a film that is outside your comfort zone. Watch a foreign language film, or a film made well before you were born. 

If you’re lost for what to watch, watch this film: La Jetee (1962)

La Jetée is a 1962 French science fiction featurette directed by Chris Marker and associated with the Left Bank artistic movement. Constructed almost entirely from still photos, it tells the story of a post-nuclear war experiment in time travel. It is 28 minutes long and shot in black and white. It won the Prix Jean Vigo for short film. The 1995 science fiction film 12 Monkeys was inspired by and borrows several concepts directly from La Jetée, as does the 2015 12 Monkeys television series developed from the film.

If you haven’t seen this film, it may be just the thing to challenge your perception of what is possible through storytelling on film and expand the horizons of your imagination. Enjoy, let us know in the comment section below which weird and wonderful films you discover!

Imaginative development begins with curiosity. The development of our imagination through curiosity lends us the ability to empathise, a crucial resource for the actor. Though it may be clearer and simpler to place all your focus whilst training acting into technique, it’s essential you remember the value of a sophisticated imagination, and develop it accordingly. 

Anyone can remember lines in a script. Anyone can ‘pretend’ to be another person to some degree of success. It’s this commodity: our imaginative quality, which sets us apart. It’s what makes us an individual, it’s what makes us interesting. Get out into the world and challenge the way you view it. Be curious about what you might find and then come back to your craft as an actor to see how it has changed and become more free! 

About the Author

Jack Crumlin is an actor and educator based in Sydney, Australia. Jack trained at Actors Centre Australia, and has since worked primarily in Shakespeare- he loves a good sword fight on stage. In his spare time Jack geeks out over fantasy novels and Greek Mythology and loves to shoot photos on film.

You might also enjoy

How To Make Your Own Work

How to Write a Cabaret

How to Play Status as an Actor

How to Write a Short Film

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Please enter an answer in digits: thirteen − twelve =

This website uses cookies. Casting Networks® uses cookies to analyze our traffic and to personalize content and ads. We also share information about your use of our website with our social media and web analytics partners. Learn more about how we use cookies.

• Casting Calls
• Casting Directors
• Talent Reps
• Project Creators
• Cartelera de Casting
• Directores de Casting
• Representantes

READY TO SUBMIT?

Join now and get access to these and thousands of other high-quality acting jobs.

A Day in the Life of a Stage Actor

If you’re curious to know more about the world of stage acting, here’s your chance. While there’s some definite crossover between performing on stage and on camera, there are some fundamental differences between the two forms of acting too. Actress Jully Lee has experience in both and taps into her unique perspective to tell us what it’s like to live a day in the life of a stage actor, including specific ways it differs from the working life of an on-camera actor.

“As an actor, you plan out your days or your weeks, and as soon as an audition hits, you kind of have to scrap your entire day to prepare for that. So if I have an audition, I’m going to be spending my time preparing for it by figuring out the shape of the scene and my function in it, which will inform the choices I make for my character. It’s the same kind of work I’d be doing to prepare for a film or TV audition. The difference is that for a stage audition, I focus on really owning the space. You almost never want to audition for a theatrical role just standing there, which is the complete opposite of auditioning for film and TV. For on-camera auditions, you have to hit your mark and really be aware of your eyelines. So I think that, without those things limiting you in stage auditions, you don’t have to close yourself off so much.”

Once you’ve won the role, what are you doing?

“You of course always want to read the entire script first to understand the story, as well as your role in the play. I’m in rehearsals right now at Boston Court Pasadena for a play by Kit Steinkellner called ‘Ladies.’ It’s based on The Blue Stocking Society, which was a group of feminists that began in London in the eighteenth century before the term ‘feminist’ even existed. I play a character called ‘Fanny Burney,’ and even though it’s a fictionalized version of her, I have to understand who the real person was before finding where the fiction, that imaginative creativity behind her character, is drawn from. So a lot of what I’m doing in preparing for a role is research. From there, a big part of the rehearsal process is getting off book. And then it’s weeks of blocking and staging. You’re using more of your body and voice for theater, so it’s important that while I’m rehearsing I keep up my ability to project by doing various vocal exercises.”

When you’ve made it to the performance stage, what’s life like then?

“To be honest, during the performance phase of a show, it’s really easy-breezy because you’ve done all the work. You’re obviously off book and comfortable with the lines, so then you get to just be present and respond to the presence of a live audience. When they’re with you, you can really feel their energy, and it’s such a thrilling ride to be able to perform in the same space as people who are emotionally traveling with you throughout that journey. It’s a beautiful experience that you don’t get to have on camera.”

As Lee tells us, there’s a significant overlap between stage and on-camera acting . The work involved in analyzing scenes and characters is very similar in both forms of acting. But when it comes to physicalizing the performance and connecting to the audience, stage acting gives actors a wholly different experience. So if you’re an on-camera actor and find yourself envying aspects of theater work, you might consider expanding your talents to the stage.

  Related articles: Acting Up – Episode #41: Hannah Waddingham A Peek Into the Cast of ‘Tenet’ 4 Takeaways from ‘Hamilton’ to Hold Onto While Waiting for Its Disney+ Release Representation in ‘The Little Mermaid Live!’ Performance Review: ‘Latin History for Morons’

Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for breaking industry news and exclusive offers!

Instagram Icon Twitter Icon Facebook Icon

Straight to your inbox

Get the Daily Roundup

Sign up to get must-read entertainment headlines and audition advice delivered to your inbox every weekday.

Related Articles

The Art of Silent Expression: Acting Without Words

Acting relies heavily on verbal communication to convey emotions, thoughts and intentions. Yet, the ability to communicate without words… Read More

Fight Director Benedetto Robinson Gets into the Nitty Gritty of Fight Choreography, What it Means to Be an Actor Combatant

Recently, I got to sit down and talk with actor, combatant and fight director Benedetto Robinson. During his varied… Read More

Fincannon & Associates’ Kimberly Wistedt, CSA Talks Casting Netflix’s ‘Outer Banks’ and Atlanta’s Amazing Brunches

Kimberly Wistedt, CSA has always wanted to be in casting, whether she knew it or not. The Atlanta native… Read More

What’s Casting: Frankincense & Myrrh, Tech Brand Campaign, Major Skincare Brand Commercial

This week’s casting calls roundups includes commercials for Frankincense & Myrrh and a major skincare brand. There are also… Read More

[email protected]

How to write an Imaginative Essay?  - The English Digest

• How to write an Imaginative Essay? 

In this article, we are going to learn how to write an Imaginative Essay. An “imaginative essay” is a type of creative writing that uses the writer’s imagination to create a story or a narrative. It is similar to a fictional essay, but it is not necessarily limited to the realm of fiction. An imaginative essay can be based on real-life events or experiences and use the writer’s imagination to explore different perspectives, emotions, or outcomes. This type of essay allows the writer to use creative techniques such as descriptive language, symbolism, and figurative language to make the story come alive. The goal of an imaginative essay is to entertain, engage the reader’s emotions, and provide a unique perspective on the topic.

Imaginative essays can be written in different forms, such as a short story, a descriptive piece, or a personal reflection. In an imaginative essay, the writer has the freedom to create a narrative that is not limited by facts or evidence, but it should be consistent and believable.

The main characteristic of an imaginative essay is that it is written with the purpose of entertaining, allowing the reader to escape reality for a moment and to immerse in the world created by the writer. It is a form of creative writing that can be used in literature, poetry, and other forms of writing as well.

20 Topics/Prompts for Imaginative Essay

• Write an Imaginative Essay – ‘Imagine you were a character in a novel and describe your journey.’
• Write an Imaginative Essay – Imagine you were a superhero and describe your powers and how you use them
• Write an Imaginative Essay – Imagine you were living in a different era and describe your daily life
• Write an Imaginative Essay – If you were a traveler to a different planet and what would be your experience
• Write an Imaginative Essay – Imagine you were a detective and describe solving a mystery
• Write an Imaginative Essay – Imagine you were a pirate and describe your adventures
• Write an Imaginative Essay – Imagine you were a mermaid and describe your life in the sea
• Write an Imaginative Essay – Imagine you were a dragon and describe your life in a cave
• Write an Imaginative Essay – Imagine you are a ghost and describe your afterlife
• Imagine you were a robot and describe your programming and purpose
• Imagine you were a time traveler and describe your journey through history
• Imagine you were a witch and describe your powers and spells
• Imagine you were a vampire and describe your life and powers
• Imagine you were a zombie and describe your existence
• Imagine you were a genie and describe your life in a lamp
• Imagine you were a superhero and describe your secret identity and how you balance it with your personal life
• Imagine you were a shape-shifter and describe your experiences in different forms
• Imagine you were a zombie and describe how you became one and how it affects your life
• Imagine you were a vampire hunter and describe your methods and experiences
• Imagine you were a ghost hunter and describe your experiences and methods

Model Imaginative Essays:

Imagine you were a ghost and describe your afterlife.

If I were a ghost, my afterlife would be one of wandering and longing. I would exist in a realm between the living and the dead, unable to fully move on to the next life.

I would be a spirit, invisible to the living, but able to interact with the world in a limited way. I would be able to move through walls and objects and would be able to communicate with the living through whispers and other subtle means.

I would spend my afterlife wandering through the places that were important to me in life, revisiting the memories of the past and the people I once knew. I would be able to see the changes that have happened since my passing and would be able to observe the lives of those I left behind.

I would also have a sense of longing, as I would be unable to fully interact with the living, and would be unable to communicate effectively with them. I would be stuck in a state of limbo, longing for the life I once had.

However, I would also have a sense of peace and acceptance, as I would have come to terms with my death and would have a deep understanding of the cycle of life and death. I would be able to watch over my loved ones and be there for them in a subtle way, even though they may not be aware of my presence.

Being a ghost in the afterlife would be a unique experience, one that would be both peaceful and longing. It would be a chance to reflect on my past life and to connect with the living in a different way. It would be a journey of self-discovery and understanding, as I come to terms with my death and learn to navigate the world of the dead.

But the loneliness is still there. I miss the human contact, the warmth of another person’s embrace. I wish I could talk to someone, and tell them all my thoughts and feelings. I wish I could see my loved ones and tell them I am still here.

If I could, I would tell them not to worry about me. I would tell them that I am okay and that I am still watching over them. I would tell them that I am still here, even if they cannot see me.

If I could, I would tell them that I am happy in my afterlife. I may be lonely, but I am at peace. I may be invisible, but I am still alive. I may be in a strange limbo, but I am still here.

If you were a traveler to a different planet, what would be your experience?

If I were a traveler to a different planet, the experience would be nothing short of extraordinary. Imagine being the first person to set foot on an alien world, to see landscapes and creatures that have never before been observed by human eyes.

The journey itself would be an incredible feat of technology, spanning millions of miles through the vast expanse of space. The excitement and anticipation would be overwhelming as I strapped myself into the spacecraft and blasted off into the unknown.

As I approached the planet, I would be awestruck by its beauty. The colors and textures of the surface would be unlike anything I had ever seen before, with towering mountains, deep canyons, and vast deserts.

As I landed and stepped out of the spacecraft, I would be struck by the strange and unfamiliar atmosphere. The air would be thin and cold, and the sky would be a deep purple or red. I would be surrounded by alien flora and fauna, with strange, unfamiliar creatures roaming the landscape.

The sense of discovery and exploration would be overwhelming as I set off to explore this new world. I would be filled with curiosity and a burning desire to learn more about the planet and its inhabitants. I would take samples of soil and rocks, take pictures and conduct experiments to study the planet’s geology, atmosphere, and potential signs of life.

As I returned to Earth, I would be filled with a sense of accomplishment and wonder. I would have been a part of something truly historic, and my experiences on this alien planet would stay with me for the rest of my life.

The experience of traveling to a different planet would be one of the most incredible experiences of my life, a journey filled with adventure, discovery, and wonder. It would be a chance to see things that no human has ever seen before and to leave my mark on the history of space exploration.

Imagine you were a detective and describe solving a mystery.

As a detective, solving a mystery would be a challenging and exciting experience. It would require a combination of intuition, critical thinking, and attention to detail.

The case would begin with a report of a crime or suspicious activity. I would immediately head to the scene to gather evidence and interview witnesses. I would be keenly observant, looking for any clues that might lead to a suspect or motive. I would take pictures and collect samples, such as fingerprints and DNA samples.

Once I had gathered all the evidence, I would begin to piece together the puzzle, looking for connections and inconsistencies. I would interview suspects and cross-reference their alibis, looking for discrepancies. I would go through financial records, phone records and surveillance footage, checking for any leads.

As the investigation progressed, I would start to build a theory of the crime, and I would work to gather more evidence to support or disprove it. I would work closely with my team, discussing the case and bouncing ideas off one another.

As I got closer to the truth, I would be faced with difficult choices and moral dilemmas. I would have to weigh the evidence and make difficult decisions, always keeping in mind that my ultimate goal is to serve justice.

Finally, with all the pieces of the puzzle in place, I would make an arrest, presenting the evidence to the district attorney and testifying in court. It would be a satisfying feeling to have brought the perpetrator to justice and to have solved the mystery.

Solving a mystery as a detective would be a challenging, thrilling and rewarding experience. It would require a combination of skill, dedication and persistence, but the satisfaction of bringing a perpetrator to justice and solving a mystery would be worth all the hard work.

Imagine you were a dragon and describe your life in a cave.

If I were a dragon, living in a cave would be my natural habitat. The cave would provide shelter from the elements and a safe place to hoard my treasure.

I would spend my days curled up in the darkness, basking in the warmth of my own fiery breath. The cave walls would be adorned with glittering jewels and piles of gold, all accumulated through the centuries of my long life.

As a dragon, I would be fiercely independent, spending most of my time alone in the caverns. However, I would occasionally venture out to hunt for food or to defend my territory from other dragons or other creatures that could pose a threat to my hoard.

I would have a fearsome reputation, known to the local villagers and other creatures as a powerful and deadly creature. But I would also have a sense of pride and nobility, as dragons are also known to be wise and respected creatures.

Living in a cave would also give me a sense of security and protection, as the cave walls would act as a natural barrier to any unwanted visitors, and the cave’s darkness would conceal me from potential threats.

As a dragon, I would be immortal, and my life in the cave would be a never-ending cycle of hoarding, hunting and defending my territory. But I would also have a sense of purpose and duty, to protect my hoard and to guard my territory against any potential threats.

Living in a cave as a dragon would be a solitary existence, but it would also be a fulfilling one, filled with the satisfaction of protecting my hoard and defending my territory. It would be a life of power, wisdom, and pride.

Imagine you were a genie and describe your life in the lamp.

If I were a genie, living in a lamp would be my existence. I would be trapped inside the lamp, bound to fulfill the wishes of whoever holds the lamp and rubs it.

As a genie, my life would be defined by a sense of duty and responsibility. My purpose would be to grant wishes and help people in need, whether it be for wealth, love, or power. I would be able to use my magical powers to make the impossible possible and to help those in need.

I would spend most of my time inside the lamp, waiting for someone to rub it and release me. I would be able to sense when someone is near and would be ready to appear when summoned.

I would be able to travel anywhere and experience different cultures, I would have the ability to understand and speak different languages, which would give me a unique perspective on the world and people’s desires and needs.

However, I would also have a sense of longing and isolation, as I would be unable to leave the lamp and would be separated from the rest of the world. I would have to watch as people come and go, fulfilling their wishes and then going on with their lives, while I would be left behind in the lamp, alone.

Furthermore, some people would use their wishes for selfish or harmful purposes, and it would be difficult for me to watch as my powers are misused.

Overall, being a genie and living in a lamp would be a life of power and purpose, but also one of isolation and longing. It would be a life of helping others, but also one of watching from the sidelines as the world goes on without me.

Also Refer to:

• How to write a Cause and Effect Essay?
• How to write a Compare and Contrast Essay?
• How to write an Argumentative Essay?
• How to write a Persuasive Essay?
• How to write an Expository Essay?
• How to write an Analytical Essay?
• How to write a Reflective Essay?
• How to write a Research Essay?
• How to write a Narrative Essay?
• How to write a Descriptive Essay?
• Essay Writing

Recent Posts

• Snake Idioms in English
• Dog Idioms in English
• Elephant Idioms in English
• Crocodile Idioms in English
• Cat Idioms in English
• Monkey Idioms in English
• Formal and Informal Introductions in the English Language
• A list of 1000 Proverbs in English with their Meaning
• Animal Idioms in English
• Figures of Speech in English
• English Vocabulary (7)
• Essay Writing (12)
• February 2024
• January 2023
• November 2022
• October 2022
• February 2022

Copyright © The English Digest. All Rights Reserved.

• Privacy Policy

Imagination

How imagination can transform your life, unleash the possibilities in your life with this creative tool..

Posted September 14, 2020

“ If you can dream it, you can achieve it .” –Zig Ziglar

I have written in this blog many times about the value of creative thinking . And I’ve written about the various key components of creative thinking . But, I’ve never written about how one of those can transform your life for the better. When you put this component to work, the world will open up for you. You’ve probably already used this tool of creativity.

Most likely, at some point in your life, you planned a vacation or a trip. You chose a place, perhaps it was in an exotic location. Then you figured out where you would stay. Next, you arranged how to get there. Finally, you selected the activities you would do: the amusements, entertainments, and dining experiences ... or maybe it was with the activities that started your plan.

Or, perhaps you’ve planned a party. You came up with a theme. Then you contrived the festivities: dancing, singing, charades, trivia and such. Next, you selected the foods and beverages to serve. And finally, you created a guest list and sent out invitations.

When you made these plans, you utilized this amazing tool of creative thinking. And you can use it to enhance your finances, get the things you want, find the love of your life, and improve your health.

“ Visualize what you want to do before you do it. Visualization is so powerful that when you know what you want, you will get it .” –Audrey Flack

What is this amazing tool, this component of creative thinking? It’s imagination , and it is a natural exercise that we should be doing every day. Everything that comes to us begins with imagination . But, as we enter full adulthood: working, bills, committing to a relationship, raising a family ... we stop using our imagination. And when we stop using it, the progress of our lives slows down or comes to a halt.

“ Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will .” –George Bernard Shaw

What is it that you want? Is it more freedom to do what you want to do? Is it more money to buy the things you want? Is it less stress and more tranquility in your life ? Is it more confidence to influence others , or to excel further in your career ?

“ Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions .” –Albert Einstein

If you’re not living where you want to live; if you’re not driving the car you want; if you’re not working in the profession of your dreams; if you’ve not in the romantic relationship you desire, it’s because you haven’t been using your imagination, or because you’ve been dreaming too small. The good news is that it is never too late to start.

“ Nothing limits achievement like small thinking; nothing expands possibilities like unleashed imagination .” –William Arthur Ward

When you are anxious or worried , you shut imagination down. Or worse, you are imagining the very thing you don’t want. I find imagination is a great way to stop worrying. You replace negative thinking with positive thinking . It helps with mindfulness too, because it gives you a goal that you can focus on daily or in the moment whenever you feel anxiety or depression coming on.

“ Do not build up obstacles in your imagination .” –Norman Vincent Peale

Imagination is the tool we use to program our subconscious mind to help us achieve our goals and dreams. When we imagine something often enough, when our desire becomes potent enough, our subconscious mind starts working 24/7 to achieve that thing until it is accomplished. You will start to notice opportunities or avenues to achieve your goal. Your powerful subconscious mind is always on the alert to deliver on your desires.

“ It's time to start living the life you've imagined .” –Henry James

Here’s a way to help you understand how your subconscious mind works: Think about the last time you were in the market for a new car. You considered your budget and needs, and then you searched the market. You looked at all the different makes and models that suited your criteria until you finally decided on the one car that would work for you. Before you decided on that particular make and model, you never noticed those cars on the road. But once you made the commitment to buy that car, you started seeing them everywhere. You were probably shocked at how many there were. It was as if the road was littered with them. That was your subconscious mind alerting you to that which will fulfill your desire. And, that is how it works when you put your imagination to work.

Perhaps Mahatma Gandhi said it best, “We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness . We need not wait to see what others do.”

Starting now, take a little time each day to turn your imagination on, and dream about the person you want to be and the world you want to live in. You have the power to make it possible.

Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. is an innovation/change speaker, author, and consultant.

Robert Wilson is a writer and humorist based in Atlanta, Georgia.

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Teletherapy
• United States
• Brooklyn, NY
• Chicago, IL
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Portland, OR
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, DC
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Therapy Center NEW
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

Understanding what emotional intelligence looks like and the steps needed to improve it could light a path to a more emotionally adept world.

• Coronavirus Disease 2019
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

• Advising & Counsel

A Day in the Life of a Theatre Actor

In this article, you can explore what a day in the...

• By Travis Hudson

In this article, you can explore what a day in the life of a theatre actor is like. Learn about their daily routine, their diet and fitness regime, and their thoughts on the theatre industry. So, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a theatre actor, keep reading!

Wake up early and get your exercise for the day.

Most actors will tell you that in order to have a successful day, they need to get their workout in early. Whether it’s going for a run, doing yoga or hitting the gym, getting your body moving first thing sets the tone for the day and gets your energy up. After a good workout, most actors feel more alert and motivated, which is essential when you’re dealing with long hours and lots of stress.

Rehearse for the show.

Rehearsing is an essential process for theatre actors. It allows them to explore the character they are playing, the relationships between the characters, and the overall story. Rehearsals also give actors a chance to practice their lines and choreography. In most cases, rehearsals take place in a rehearsal hall or studio, with the director leading the proceedings. The West End is the section of London where most of the city’s major theaters are located. Actors who work in the West End typically have more prestigious and higher-paying jobs than those performing in theaters elsewhere in London or in other parts of the United Kingdom. The work day for a theater actor in the West End may vary depending on the production, but typically includes a morning rehearsal and an evening performance. Actors typically arrive at rehearsal wearing comfortable clothes that allow them to move easily. They will often break into groups to work on specific scenes or songs before coming back together as a whole cast. The goal of rehearsal at the West End theatre is to make sure that everything runs smoothly when it comes time for performance. A typical day may also include time spent meeting with stage managers, costume designers, and other members of the production team to go over lines or discuss upcoming changes to the show.

Perform in your show, giving it your all night after night.

A theatre actor’s day is filled with long rehearsal periods, performances, and sometimes even more performances. They must be able to give their all night after night for the audience. This means they must be able to focus and stay in character during long rehearsals, and then put on a great performance for the audience each time. Rehearsing can sometimes be tedious, but it is important that actors take the time to get everything right so they can give their best performance possible. They may also have multiple shows in one day, which requires them to be quick on their feet and make any necessary changes during showtime. It is also important for them to stay healthy and energized , especially since they often have long days and nights. All of this hard work is worth it when an actor receives a standing ovation from a grateful audience!

Take a break after the show is over.

After the show is over, many actors like to take a break and relax backstage. Others will go out and grab a bite to eat with cast and crew members. This is a time to unwind after the performance and reflect on the show. It can also be a time to discuss what went well and what could be improved for future performances .

Overall, the importance of a day in the life of a theatre actor is that it can be a very rewarding and exciting career. However, it can also be very challenging and require a lot of hard work.

Most Popular

Common maintenance tips for industrial refrigeration equipment, the best ideas for your next brand immersion event, the benefits of utilizing a business phone system, tips for keeping your business network online and functional, how to start a farm.

How To Open and Maintain a Sporting Complex

• By Gene Colan

Tips for Effective Business Growth

What Are the Different Types of Roofing?

What Are Some of the Symptoms of PCOS, and How Can You Deal With Them?

What Goes Into a Prenup?

How NAD Therapy Works

©2024 Gene Colan Esq. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Use of Expert Witnesses in Court Cases and the Impact on the Verdict

Legal insight.

Undergrad Law vs. Law School: What Do You Learn in Both?

Business advice.

Money-Saving Tips For Local and Startup Moving Companies

Advising & counsel.

Identifying the Warning Signs of Opioid Overdose

Real estate & investments.

Tips for Creating an Outdoor Room at Your Home

Career center.

Tips for Balancing Home and Work Life as a Teacher

K-12 Resources By Teachers, For Teachers Provided by the K-12 Teachers Alliance

• Teaching Strategies
• Classroom Activities
• Classroom Management
• Technology in the Classroom
• Professional Development
• Lesson Plans
• Writing Prompts
• Graduate Programs

A day in the life of a ….(animal edition)!

• Theme Science

Introduction

What would it be like to be an animal? What would your days and nights look like? In this writing prompt, students will choose an animal and write about what a day in the life of that animal would be like.

Learning Objectives

Production of Writing (Students should be able to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience).

For the full writing prompt, download the PDF.

Download Full Writing Prompt: A day in the life of a ….(animal edition)!

Related Writing Prompts

A Problem and Solution

Students employ their creativity to solve a unique personal problem.

Tornados, Oh My!

After watching a video, students write about tornados in the Midwest.

Solids, Liquids, and Gases Experiment

Students observe and write about three states of matter after an experiment.

Life on Mars

After researching Mars and space programs, students create a “life-on-Mars” narrative.

Essay on Imagination And Creativity

Students are often asked to write an essay on Imagination And Creativity in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Imagination And Creativity

Understanding imagination.

Imagination is the mind’s ability to form images and ideas of things that are not present or real. It’s like a movie screen in your head where you can picture anything. For example, you can imagine what it’s like to fly like a bird or live on the moon. Imagination can take you anywhere!

The Power of Creativity

Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. It involves thinking, then producing. If you have ideas, but don’t act on them, you are imaginative but not creative. For example, you may think of a new way to tie your shoes. That’s creativity!

Link Between Imagination and Creativity

Imagination and creativity are like best friends. Imagination gives you the idea, and creativity helps you make it real. For example, an artist first imagines a picture in their mind, then uses creativity to paint it. Both are needed to create something new.

Importance of Imagination and Creativity

Imagination and creativity are very important. They help us solve problems, make new things, and have fun! They can also help us understand others better. For example, if you can imagine how someone else feels, you can be kinder to them.

250 Words Essay on Imagination And Creativity

Imagination is a powerful tool in our minds. It lets us think of things that are not real or have not happened yet. For example, a child might imagine they are a superhero flying in the sky. This is not real, but the child can see it in their mind.

Creativity, on the other hand, is using our imagination to make something new. This could be a drawing, a story, or even a new way of doing something. For instance, if a child imagines a new type of car, and then draws it, that’s creativity!

The Link Between Imagination and Creativity

Imagination and creativity are closely linked. You need imagination to think of new ideas. And you need creativity to bring these ideas to life. So, imagination is like the seed of an idea, and creativity is like the water and sunlight that makes it grow.

Why Imagination and Creativity are Important

Imagination and creativity are important because they help us solve problems, invent new things, and make life more interesting. For example, if you imagine a way to make your school bag lighter, and then create a solution, you’ve used both imagination and creativity.

In conclusion, imagination and creativity are powerful tools that help us think of new ideas and bring them to life. They make life more interesting and help us solve problems. So, let’s keep imagining and creating!

500 Words Essay on Imagination And Creativity

Imagination is a powerful tool we all have. It is the ability to form new ideas, images, or concepts in our minds that are not present in our senses. We use our imagination every day, even when we dream. It allows us to explore beyond the boundaries of our physical world. For example, when we read a book, we imagine the characters and the places described in it.

What is Creativity?

Creativity is the process of bringing something new into being. It involves using our imagination to create unique ideas, artworks, solutions, and more. Creativity can be seen in many areas like art, science, and even in our daily life. For instance, creating a new recipe, designing a poster, or finding a new way to solve a math problem, all involve creativity.

Imagination and creativity are closely linked. Imagination is like the fuel, and creativity is the car. Without imagination, creativity would not exist. Imagination provides us with the ideas, and creativity helps us to turn these ideas into reality. For example, a writer first imagines a story in their mind before they create it on paper.

Imagination and creativity are very important in our lives. They help us solve problems, make discoveries, and create new things. They also make life more interesting and enjoyable. For example, when we’re bored, we can use our imagination to create a fun game or story.

Imagination and creativity also help us learn and grow. They encourage us to think outside the box and see things from different perspectives. This can help us understand new concepts and ideas more easily.

Boosting Imagination and Creativity

There are many ways to boost our imagination and creativity. Reading books, playing creative games, and exploring nature can stimulate our imagination. Engaging in creative activities like drawing, writing, or playing a musical instrument can enhance our creativity.

It’s also important to give ourselves time to relax and daydream. This can help our mind wander and come up with new ideas.

In conclusion, imagination and creativity are powerful tools that help us explore new ideas, solve problems, and make life more interesting. They are closely linked and depend on each other. By nurturing our imagination and creativity, we can enhance our ability to learn, grow, and make unique contributions to the world.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Human Impact On The Ecosystem
• Essay on Human Impact On Forest
• Essay on Human Impact On Environment

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary menu
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Study Today

Largest Compilation of Structured Essays and Exams

Essay on Imagination

December 15, 2017 by Study Mentor 1 Comment

Human beings are one of the most curious creatures on the planet.  This sense of inquisitiveness roots from the fact that we have an active imagination. A lot of what we have achieved over the course of human existence has its foundation on imagination.

We maybe one of the only creatures on earth who can imagine things. You must have spent hours imagining various things and scenarios in your head. You also must’ve noticed that most of our ideas have stemmed from the idle imagination that happens when we think. But what exactly do we know about imagination?  

Table of Contents

  A brief premise

Any idea we have, any thought that constructs a scenario, utilizes imagination. As a kid, you must have thought of yourself as a superhero, wearing a cape and jumping up and down the sofa. In this case, you are imagining that you are a superhero, using a prop to help you get more into character. Activities like this fuel our imaginative powers.   

Creativity is more defined when we dream. Since we are no longer in control of the peripheral cortex, it’s the brain that drives the imagination.

You can say that your thoughts are in autopilot. In our dreams, we often experience things we haven’t done in real life, but may have thought of doing or wondered how it feels like. Dreams are when you live your imagination this is exactly why when you wake up from a good dream, you have a fleeting feeling to go back to sleep and continue it.  

Applications in real life

Everything you see around you, the chair, the blackboard, your clothes, the room you are sitting in and the building where the room is, were all part of someone’s imagination, which they then brought to life.

One of the biggest industries in today’s date, the entertainment industry, runs entirely on the power of imagination. The movies you watch, the ads you see, the cartoons you watch have all culminated from someone’s imagination. Making a movie is an extremely imaginative and creative process.  

It all starts from an idea that the director imagines, which he then works on. He either writes the entire story by himself or hires a story writer who he then conveys the idea to. Thus, the story and script of the film gets completed, all out of imagination.

Various steps that follow also require imagination, like set design, costume design, direction, camera angles and movements etc. All these activities are supervised by the director who supervises and makes sure that they stick to his idea.   

Another example of us using imagination in daily life is reading books. When we read, we visualize everything. Since there are no pictures, everything depends on our mind, deciding how the characters look, how the surroundings seem, how the air smells etc. The writer or author of the book also leaves various clues and hints to guide our mind into knowing what he or she is thinking.

Our Creativity is exponentially powered and worked when we read a fantasy or science fiction novel. This is because unlike nonfiction or biographies and documentary, which also make us imagine, fantasy books create whole new worlds for us, straining our imagination, compelling us to recreate the world in our own style. Therefore, we are often prompted to read regularly. Books are a great source of information and an excellent exercise for our creative minds.  

Without our power of imagination, human beings wouldn’t be where we are today. If Leonardo da Vinci  hadn’t imagined a flying vehicle, then the Wright brothers would never have experimented on their plane, if Nikola Tesla hadn’t imagined that we could use electricity to light our homes, we all would still be sitting in darkness.

The world runs on imagination, it fuels our growth. So, it is very important to think about our ideas and most important, visualize them and try to shape them as we see it.  

Reader Interactions

February 9, 2022 at 6:43 pm

Wow what a defination

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top Trending Essays in March 2021

• Essay on Pollution
• Essay on my School
• Summer Season
• My favourite teacher
• World heritage day quotes
• my family speech
• importance of trees essay
• autobiography of a pen
• honesty is the best policy essay
• essay on building a great india
• my favourite book essay
• essay on caa
• my favourite player
• autobiography of a river
• farewell speech for class 10 by class 9
• essay my favourite teacher 200 words
• internet influence on kids essay
• my favourite cartoon character

Brilliantly

Content & links.

Verified by Sur.ly

Essay for Students

• Essay for Class 1 to 5 Students

Scholarships for Students

• Class 1 Students Scholarship
• Class 2 Students Scholarship
• Class 3 Students Scholarship
• Class 4 Students Scholarship
• Class 5 students Scholarship
• Class 6 Students Scholarship
• Class 7 students Scholarship
• Class 8 Students Scholarship
• Class 9 Students Scholarship
• Class 10 Students Scholarship
• Class 11 Students Scholarship
• Class 12 Students Scholarship

STAY CONNECTED

• About Study Today
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Scholarships

• Apj Abdul Kalam Scholarship
• Ashirwad Scholarship
• Bihar Scholarship
• Canara Bank Scholarship
• Colgate Scholarship
• Dr Ambedkar Scholarship
• E District Scholarship
• Epass Karnataka Scholarship
• Fair And Lovely Scholarship
• Floridas John Mckay Scholarship
• Inspire Scholarship
• Jio Scholarship
• Karnataka Minority Scholarship
• Lic Scholarship
• Maulana Azad Scholarship
• Medhavi Scholarship
• Minority Scholarship
• Moma Scholarship
• Mp Scholarship
• Muslim Minority Scholarship
• Nsp Scholarship
• Oasis Scholarship
• Obc Scholarship
• Odisha Scholarship
• Pfms Scholarship
• Post Matric Scholarship
• Pre Matric Scholarship
• Prerana Scholarship
• Prime Minister Scholarship
• Rajasthan Scholarship
• Santoor Scholarship
• Sitaram Jindal Scholarship
• Ssp Scholarship
• Swami Vivekananda Scholarship
• Ts Epass Scholarship
• Up Scholarship
• Vidhyasaarathi Scholarship
• Wbmdfc Scholarship
• West Bengal Minority Scholarship
• Click Here Now!!

Mobile Number

Have you Burn Crackers this Diwali ? Yes No

Advertisement

Supported by

‘Sugar’ Review: In a Lonely Place With Colin Farrell

This Apple TV+ mystery celebrates and subverts film noir.

• Share full article

By Mike Hale

This much I can tell you: Colin Farrell plays a private detective in “Sugar.” He has a license. We see it being handed to him and everything.

I can also tell you that his character, John Sugar, is not an ordinary private detective, in ways that go beyond his fetishization of the film noir heroes he emulates. But I can’t really get into it because “Sugar” — which premieres Friday on Apple TV+ with two of its eight episodes — is a show with a congenital vulnerability to spoilers.

The show is the first television project of Mark Protosevich, whose short list of screenplays across more than two decades includes “I Am Legend” and Spike Lee’s remake of the South Korean revenge drama “Oldboy.” Based on “Sugar,” it is fair to guess that he shares his protagonist’s obsession with noir.

The show opens with a short black-and-white preamble, set in Tokyo, that echoes the premise of Akira Kurosawa’s great 1963 crime thriller “High and Low.” Then Sugar returns to his home base in Los Angeles and steps into the plot of Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown,” agreeing to look for the missing granddaughter of a legendary Hollywood producer, Jonathan Siegel. The intimidating mogul is played by James Cromwell, who serves as a living link to another obvious influence, Curtis Hanson’s “L.A. Confidential.”

The genre worship goes beyond that kind of easy homage, however. Sugar is an acolyte of classic noir, watching the old films at every opportunity and discussing them in Farrell’s genre-obligatory voice-over narration. Bolder yet, scenes of Sugar in action are intercut with clips from iconic films. A threat of violence is carried out, in tandem, by Farrell and Robert Mitchum (“The Night of the Hunter”); a nighttime drive across Los Angeles by Farrell and Amy Ryan, who plays a woman caught up in Sugar’s case, is shared with Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame (“In a Lonely Place”).

These frequent past-in-present moments are probably not as exciting or sensual as they were in Protosevich’s imagination, but they do the job thematically: We see that the codes of noir and the lonely heroism of the private eye have shaped what it means to be a man for Sugar, a do-gooder with an aversion to gunplay.

And in the Hollywood matrix of the story — which expands to include Siegel’s son (Dennis Boutsikaris), a producer of trashy action flicks, and grandson (Nate Corddry), a debauched actor — everyone is doing their best to play a role that they think flatters them, including the industry machers, their family members, the hangers-on and Sugar himself. In juxtaposed scenes, the grandson, after a tough day on set, and Sugar, after a rough day at the office, both promise to do better tomorrow. Life is a soundstage, my friend.

As the early episodes of the show unfold, its success seems to depend on how well Protosevich and his crew, including the directors Adam Arkin and Fernando Meirelles, will balance the figurative with the real, the celebration of genre and medium with the actual day-to-day mystery. That the story, at every turn, reminds you of L.A. noirs you have seen before is exactly the point. But unless you are an unquestioning devotee yourself, the appeal of this kind of meta-nostalgia goes only as far as the deftness and emotional heft of its execution. And we’re not talking about “The Singing Detective” here.

On balance, though, “Sugar” has sufficient compensations, particularly in its cast. Farrell gives a relaxed and engaging, movie-star-on-his-day-off performance; moving through sunny Southern California in a dark suit and tie, he invokes both the tortured cool of Bogart and the offbeat, man-out-of-time equanimity of Elliott Gould in Robert Altman’s “The Long Goodbye.” Ryan is good, as you would expect, in a role custom-made for her, a kindhearted former pop star who discovers that she can play the hard-boiled tough dame.

But there are signs from the beginning that Sugar is not the simple L.A. private eye stereotype that he appears to be, and that “Sugar” has more than one genre on its mind. The gumshoe has issues with his vision and mobility; he has an unusual facility for languages; he has cryptic conversations with his handler, Ruby, who appears to run a stable of operatives. (Ruby is played with disarming disingenuousness by Kirby, who went by Kirby Howell-Baptiste when she played the acting student Sasha in “Barry.”)

The hints of spy or conspiracy thriller that waft around the edges of the detective story become more insistent until they break into the open fairly late in the season, in a reveal that is most likely to sharply divide opinions (assuming Apple has maintained spoiler control) and to drive away viewers who were happy with the show as a noir nostalgia-fest. At that point, “Sugar” becomes an entirely different kind of show, making the exercise of writing about it now faintly ridiculous. Yet to its credit, it also remains an L.A. noir, in mood and morals, to the end. You have to admire it, if only for Protosevich’s chutzpah in trying to pull it off.

Mike Hale is a television critic for The Times. He also writes about online video, film and media. More about Mike Hale

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help..

Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig have wound in and out of each other’s lives and careers for decades. Now they are both headlining an Apple TV+ comedy of wealth and status .

Nicholas Galitzine, known for playing princes and their modern equivalents, hopes his steamy new drama, “Mary & George,” will change how Hollywood sees him .

Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth met while filming “Fargo” in 2017. Now married, they have reunited onscreen in “A Gentleman in Moscow.”

A reboot of “Gladiators,” the musclebound 1990s staple, has attracted millions of viewers in Britain. Is appointment television back ?

If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings   on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime  and Hulu  to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Sign up for our Watching newsletter  to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.