Ivana Chubbuck — A Study in Presence, Rory Lewis Los Angeles 2026

Portraits & Headshots with the Architect of the Chubbuck Technique

There are rare figures in the acting world whose influence extends far beyond the classroom—whose ideas shape performances, careers, and entire generations of artists. Ivana Chubbuck is unquestionably one of them.

Founder and director of the Ivana Chubbuck Studio, Ivana is the creator of the internationally renowned Chubbuck Technique, a revolutionary approach to acting that has been instrumental in countless Academy Award–winning and nominated performances. Over a career spanning more than 35 years, her work has redefined how actors engage with emotion, intention, and power.

“The difference between the Chubbuck Technique and those developed in the past is that I teach actors how to use their emotions not as an end result, but as a way to empower a goal. My technique teaches actors how to win.”
— Ivana Chubbuck

Portraiture with Purpose

When photographing Ivana, the objective was not simply to create a likeness, but to capture presence—the authority, intelligence, and lived experience of someone who has spent decades shaping human truth on screen.

The sessions focused on restrained, cinematic portraiture: controlled light, minimal distraction, and quiet gestures. Subtle changes in posture, hand placement, and gaze allowed for a range of expressions—thoughtful, resolute, inquisitive—mirroring the psychological depth at the core of her teaching.

These portraits sit at the intersection of classical portraiture and contemporary character study, reflecting Ivana’s own philosophy: emotion is not decoration, but fuel.

The Chubbuck Technique

At its core, the Chubbuck Technique transforms pain, fear, and personal history into active tools rather than obstacles. Where traditional methods often dwell on emotion as an endpoint, Ivana’s approach reframes it as propulsion—something to be used in pursuit of a goal.

The technique teaches actors to take the very insecurities and wounds that might otherwise lead to self-destruction and instead convert them into strength, clarity, and narrative momentum. The undercurrent is not suffering, but winning in spite of—and because of—the pain.

This philosophy creates a dynamic journey not only for the actor, but for the writer, director, and ultimately the audience.

The Ivana Chubbuck Studio

The Ivana Chubbuck Studio remains one of the most rigorous and respected acting institutions in the world. With 26 ongoing classes—including 12 in-studio programs and 14 online courses for international students—the studio offers training from introductory to master-level instruction.

The focus is uncompromisingly professional: nurturing actors, writers, and directors in an environment that demands discipline, ambition, and self-awareness. The studio’s mission is clear—to empower artists with tools that enable them to make proactive, fearless choices in their work and careers.

A Legacy of Artists

Over the decades, Ivana has worked with an extraordinary roster of performers, including Academy Award winners and nominees such as:

Charlize Theron · Brad Pitt · Halle Berry · Jake Gyllenhaal · Jon Voight · Sylvester Stallone · Jared Leto · Elisabeth Shue · Djimon Hounsou · Terrence Howard · Catherine Keener · James Franco

Each carries traces of a methodology that prioritizes agency, intention, and emotional intelligence.

Closing Thoughts

Photographing Ivana Chubbuck was less about creating headshots and more about honoring a legacy—one built on intellectual rigor, emotional bravery, and the relentless pursuit of truth. These portraits aim to reflect the same qualities her students strive for on screen: clarity, power, and purpose.

Capturing Ivana Chubbuck

Portraits & Headshots with the Architect of the Chubbuck Technique

There are rare figures in the acting world whose influence extends far beyond the classroom—whose ideas shape performances, careers, and entire generations of artists. Ivana Chubbuck is unquestionably one of them.

“The difference between the Chubbuck Technique and those developed in the past is that I teach actors how to use their emotions not as an end result, but as a way to empower a goal. My technique teaches actors how to win.”
— Ivana Chubbuck

Portraiture with Purpose

When photographing Ivana, the objective was not simply to create a likeness, but to capture presence—the authority, intelligence, and lived experience of someone who has spent decades shaping human truth on screen.

These portraits sit at the intersection of classical portraiture and contemporary character study, reflecting Ivana’s own philosophy: emotion is not decoration, but fuel.

The Chubbuck Technique

At its core, the Chubbuck Technique transforms pain, fear, and personal history into active tools rather than obstacles. Where traditional methods often dwell on emotion as an endpoint, Ivana’s approach reframes it as propulsion—something to be used in pursuit of a goal.

The technique teaches actors to take the very insecurities and wounds that might otherwise lead to self-destruction and instead convert them into strength, clarity, and narrative momentum. The undercurrent is not suffering, but winning in spite of—and because of—the pain.

This philosophy creates a dynamic journey not only for the actor, but for the writer, director, and ultimately the audience.

The Ivana Chubbuck Studio

The Ivana Chubbuck Studio remains one of the most rigorous and respected acting institutions in the world. With 26 ongoing classes—including 12 in-studio programs and 14 online courses for international students—the studio offers training from introductory to master-level instruction.

A Legacy of Artists

Over the decades, Ivana has worked with an extraordinary roster of performers, including Academy Award winners and nominees such as:

Charlize Theron · Brad Pitt · Halle Berry · Jake Gyllenhaal · Jon Voight · Sylvester Stallone · Jared Leto · Elisabeth Shue · Djimon Hounsou · Terrence Howard · Catherine Keener · James Franco

Each carries traces of a methodology that prioritizes agency, intention, and emotional intelligence.

Closing Thoughts

Photographing Ivana Chubbuck was less about creating headshots and more about honoring a legacy—one built on intellectual rigor, emotional bravery, and the relentless pursuit of truth. These portraits aim to reflect the same qualities her students strive for on screen: clarity, power, and purpose.

Click to View Rory Lewis Non-Profit — Military Portrait Archive

Portraits & Headshots with the Architect of the Chubbuck Technique

There are rare figures in the acting world whose influence extends far beyond the classroom—whose ideas shape performances, careers, and entire generations of artists. Ivana Chubbuck is unquestionably one of them.

“The difference between the Chubbuck Technique and those developed in the past is that I teach actors how to use their emotions not as an end result, but as a way to empower a goal. My technique teaches actors how to win.”— Ivana Chubbuck

Portraiture with Purpose

When photographing Ivana, the objective was not simply to create a likeness, but to capture presence—the authority, intelligence, and lived experience of someone who has spent decades shaping human truth on screen.

These portraits sit at the intersection of classical portraiture and contemporary character study, reflecting Ivana’s own philosophy: emotion is not decoration, but fuel.

The Chubbuck Technique

At its core, the Chubbuck Technique transforms pain, fear, and personal history into active tools rather than obstacles. Where traditional methods often dwell on emotion as an endpoint, Ivana’s approach reframes it as propulsion—something to be used in pursuit of a goal.

The technique teaches actors to take the very insecurities and wounds that might otherwise lead to self-destruction and instead convert them into strength, clarity, and narrative momentum. The undercurrent is not suffering, but winning in spite of—and because of—the pain.

This philosophy creates a dynamic journey not only for the actor, but for the writer, director, and ultimately the audience.

The Ivana Chubbuck Studio

The Ivana Chubbuck Studio remains one of the most rigorous and respected acting institutions in the world. With 26 ongoing classes—including 12 in-studio programs and 14 online courses for international students—the studio offers training from introductory to master-level instruction.

A Legacy of Artists

Over the decades, Ivana has worked with an extraordinary roster of performers, including Academy Award winners and nominees such as:

Charlize Theron · Brad Pitt · Halle Berry · Jake Gyllenhaal · Jon Voight · Sylvester Stallone · Jared Leto · Elisabeth Shue · Djimon Hounsou · Terrence Howard · Catherine Keener · James Franco

Each carries traces of a methodology that prioritizes agency, intention, and emotional intelligence.

Closing Thoughts

“The difference between the Chubbuck Technique and those developed in the past is that I teach actors how to use their emotions not as an end result, but as a way to empower a goal. My technique teaches actors how to win.”
— Ivana Chubbuck