Skimming quickly in my usual spots. I will also have to cancel the special shampoo that is going to cost an arm and a leg and has no real proclamations from any hair people that it actually WORKS. Several that state they notice absolutely no change. Which doesn't exactly give the shampoo any props in the positive column.
In any case, I will re-examine my shampoo methods and look into getting an appointment for my annual health checkup.
Yep, too excited for words!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
yay got check today
Got my check for a voiceover gig I did last month. Feeling awesome!
Will deposit tomorrow. It's a great pre-holiday gift and a reminder towards what I plan for next year. Feeling awesome!
Got a reminder from a voiceover company to check out going 'premium' but the jobs so far that I see aren't that very impressive or numerous. Should I really be throwing my money away on this one?
Will deposit tomorrow. It's a great pre-holiday gift and a reminder towards what I plan for next year. Feeling awesome!
Got a reminder from a voiceover company to check out going 'premium' but the jobs so far that I see aren't that very impressive or numerous. Should I really be throwing my money away on this one?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
tonight is Bored to Death
I don't know if I'm even going to show up on camera, even though I sat directly across from actor Jason Schwartzman in a scene at the Russian club/bar place. He was nice to make small talk with background, asking about favorite movies and what we liked about NYC. What I liked was his comment about walking down the street here and picking up on other people's conversations, something that doesn't happen as much in L.A. He seemed sweet.
I ended up dancing with an extra I had worked with on a prior gig, he was this big muscle bound Mr. Clean looking kind of guy, and we just joked and danced before the final scene which involved him with several other men chair lifting Jason and a fellow actor in a crowd dancing vodka drinking sequence. *smile* That was a good memory. After that, everyone quickly dispersed as they called it a wrap.
I remember wearing these Steve Madden black shoes that were quite comfortable despite the heel height. It was one of those heavy front strapped kind that was popular last year. I was dressed head to toe in black in the tackiest pieces I could find to wear...and it ended up being approved for wardrobe!
Looking to find work for nights and weekends in voiceovers. I keep looking.
I ended up dancing with an extra I had worked with on a prior gig, he was this big muscle bound Mr. Clean looking kind of guy, and we just joked and danced before the final scene which involved him with several other men chair lifting Jason and a fellow actor in a crowd dancing vodka drinking sequence. *smile* That was a good memory. After that, everyone quickly dispersed as they called it a wrap.
I remember wearing these Steve Madden black shoes that were quite comfortable despite the heel height. It was one of those heavy front strapped kind that was popular last year. I was dressed head to toe in black in the tackiest pieces I could find to wear...and it ended up being approved for wardrobe!
Looking to find work for nights and weekends in voiceovers. I keep looking.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
voiceover gig went well, done in an hour
And it was, as some like to say, 'easy peasy'! I already have my 15, 30 and 60 second voice segments, and it's to air on local radio already. Now it's a matter of getting paid. I'm definitely psyched!
Meanwhile, the SVU episode where I appear as a juror showed this past week and you can see me for like two seconds behind Christine Lahti. Then this week on Bored to Death, the ep where I appear as part of a Russian restaurant club scene is to air. It's wild to see how these things are finally coming to light.
I put in for a background gig this weekend but I haven't heard anything. At this point, the only time I can work background is on a weekend. My focus is more on voiceover work. I want to do more paying gig ones! Let's see what happens next.
Went to a friend of a friend's off-off-off-off-Broadway show. It was pretty cute, I had a laugh or two. It's good to support your fellow actors.
Meanwhile, the SVU episode where I appear as a juror showed this past week and you can see me for like two seconds behind Christine Lahti. Then this week on Bored to Death, the ep where I appear as part of a Russian restaurant club scene is to air. It's wild to see how these things are finally coming to light.
I put in for a background gig this weekend but I haven't heard anything. At this point, the only time I can work background is on a weekend. My focus is more on voiceover work. I want to do more paying gig ones! Let's see what happens next.
Went to a friend of a friend's off-off-off-off-Broadway show. It was pretty cute, I had a laugh or two. It's good to support your fellow actors.
Friday, September 25, 2009
happy dance
Awaiting news on the voiceover project. I figure they will send slides too, just anticipating.
I had to give them a new time slot as I'm not available during the day as much anymore. I held my breath for a bit but great news, they can work with the time! I'm very excited.
I had to give them a new time slot as I'm not available during the day as much anymore. I held my breath for a bit but great news, they can work with the time! I'm very excited.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
got the gig and the nod!
The first SVU I was on showed up on the season premiere. I see me for a brief second standing by as a crime scene on-looker in the beginning sequence.
Beyond thrilled. I looked good. The next one is where I appear as one of the jury. Yay!
Got word finally from the potential voiceover gig. Got it! It's been given the nod from the client, so we meet to do the taping. I am beyond thrilled. Yayyyy!
Beyond thrilled. I looked good. The next one is where I appear as one of the jury. Yay!
Got word finally from the potential voiceover gig. Got it! It's been given the nod from the client, so we meet to do the taping. I am beyond thrilled. Yayyyy!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
saw myself in a segment on Nat Geo!
I actually got my voice in there too, I got one of my lines kept! I am so damn happy beyond words.
It's a reminder of what I have to do to move to the next level. I will get there. No doubt about that.
It's a reminder of what I have to do to move to the next level. I will get there. No doubt about that.
Letter to Whitney
I watched the Oprah two parter with her interviewing Whitney.
It merely confirmed what I already suspected. You don't need to live with someone in their home to know certain things ring true.
She obviously still loves her ex-or soon to be ex husband.
She still wants others to tell her what to do.
She exchanges one addiction for another. Whether it's someone else having control over her, or getting off the drugs and....she mentioned that she 'never drank' but she's picking up a 'glass' here and there. Hmmmm...
She will not own her addictions. She still has not yet even acknowledged that she LIED in that infamous interview that she did not "do crack". Yet she plays semantics with saying "cocaine crack". The crack part rushed out of one side of her mouth. Ummmm. Ok. Crack is crack baby, and you SMOKED it with weed, which explains...the most apparent devastation. But I'll get to that in a minute.
She did not apologize to her mom, her fans, to Oprah or Clive. She has stopped short of saying this, but she essentially said fuck you to her fans and the music industry and to Clive and went to go be married while rumors of her being gay were swirling madly. She has yet to even address Robin and whether or not she was involved with her or not. If you are going to set the record straight, Whitney, then SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. Be an open book. Shit or get off the pot.
Back to the crack cocaine and weed devastation. Most apparent? Her voice. She said fuck you to her voice, the 'gift that God gave her' by all the cocaine/crack/weed smoking she did. That explains the surgeries and voice doctors that were trying to clean her up. It's why she sounds like she has a nasty cold when she talks and her singing sounds rough and choppy. She said fuck you to God. She turned her back because she was so angry, I guess. I would be too if I had to give up what I wanted for "appearances". I recall her ex saying something that Whitney seemed to see herself a certain way and didn't understand that music is a business. I have to find the exact quote but it was very telling and intelligent and dead on.
There was a lot of money at stake for Ms. Whitney. Whether the ex was a convenient foil, I'm sure he got his money's worth too. Maybe he really did love her, maybe he was just tired of being her paid beard or the snickers from the females and gay crowd who believed they knew better, I don't know. It sounds like a lot of denial went on in that house of hers and they were both hurt, angry and tired...and not getting any younger. Time was passing and their child was growing up and seeing way too much for years. I'm sure the anger sex was dynamite. At least we know they had one encounter, because they have a child. The ex has said this was to shut everybody up. I don't know. A lot of lesbians can get pregnant and carry a child and give birth too. It doesn't change anything Whitney.
I agreed with Wendy W. talking on her show about Whitney not owning her addiction to drugs. I don't always agree with Wendy but I was wondering the same thing and everyone was too busy to prop tired ol' Whitney up to say anything that might be perceived as negative. I mean, come on, Clive in the audience? What was the old creaky man going to do, catch her if she fell off the stage due to a dizzy spell on methadone? Give me a break.
Whitney's got a longggg way to go as far as recovery. And I think she's doing this just to say thank you but not necessarily to get a career up and running again. Those days are over. Even if you say to us, "oh, I'm going to be here a long time and keep making music because it's what I love to do and I want to show that I mean business on getting healthy and making money," or whatever, the bottom line is, you are done. Your voice is permanently destroyed. You are done. The doctors and Clive did the best they can. But you are done. Get better for yourself and your child, not for your fans or Oprah. Thank you for letting us know you are working on that but just go honey, and your fans are going to just have to be fans from afar and get a life of their own.
And don't tell me, Oh, we can relate to Whitney because we've had troubles/drug problems/spit on me shit happen. You and Whitney will never relate because you have never made her money, had her career or had her life. You don't know and you will never know so therefore, if seeing her drugged up or abused makes you feel somewhat comforted that you have something in common, YOU need to get yourself committed to the funny farm and fast. I am so done with this Jerry Springer era bullshit of where we laugh or are comforted in knowing people are 'worse off' than us.
And Oprah you chicken-shit, you didn't really push the tough questions on Whitney. Shame on you. But I know that Whitney wouldn't have come on if you were going to, and so...you all sit up and pray and just hope for the best. You did this as a favor to her and Clive and you are not fooling anybody. You know Whitney is basically a dead man walking. She doesn't have much time left on this planet.
What really scares me is her daughter is talking of a music career. Well, that and how Whitney's mom had to tell Whitney that enough was fucking enough. What if her mom was dead? Then what? Would she have stood up and walked out if not for herself then for her kid then? Don't think so. And that's sad. It makes me also aware of how repetitious the cycle of tragedy is. This girl comes from not one but BOTH PARENTS that are addicts. And she talks of how she is 'friends' or 'best friends' with Whitney and she's not even 18. You are not best friends with your mother. She is not your equal. That's how much growing up this child had to do -- how much living she had to do away from her mother because her mother was too busy trying to conform to everybody's notion of what her life and happiness should be.
If Whitney ever decides to come out, it would definitely explain all of this nightmare. Because a lot of people, when they fight against who they are because they are afraid of not being accepted (or losing money or a career out of the process) and they happen to come from a religious background, it's just a sad losing battle that either takes your mind, your heart, your soul or your body. Or some other innocent like your child in the process. You end up dead in a tragic way.
So heed the signs, Whitney. God will love you no matter what you are or who you love. And once you understand that, you can let go of your fear of others' preconceptions, and open up dialogue for others who are still struggling with their fears holding them back. You could be an inspiration on another level -- if you wanted to. Or you can simply take care of the few years left your child will need you -- then what?
I understand bills need to be paid, but this is what got you into your mess in the first place. I wonder how many of these "oh I love Whitney" fans would drop you in a hot second if they REALLY knew who you are -- and not that sweet commercial prepackaging that Clive put you in?
Take care anyways,
signed a Realist
It merely confirmed what I already suspected. You don't need to live with someone in their home to know certain things ring true.
She obviously still loves her ex-or soon to be ex husband.
She still wants others to tell her what to do.
She exchanges one addiction for another. Whether it's someone else having control over her, or getting off the drugs and....she mentioned that she 'never drank' but she's picking up a 'glass' here and there. Hmmmm...
She will not own her addictions. She still has not yet even acknowledged that she LIED in that infamous interview that she did not "do crack". Yet she plays semantics with saying "cocaine crack". The crack part rushed out of one side of her mouth. Ummmm. Ok. Crack is crack baby, and you SMOKED it with weed, which explains...the most apparent devastation. But I'll get to that in a minute.
She did not apologize to her mom, her fans, to Oprah or Clive. She has stopped short of saying this, but she essentially said fuck you to her fans and the music industry and to Clive and went to go be married while rumors of her being gay were swirling madly. She has yet to even address Robin and whether or not she was involved with her or not. If you are going to set the record straight, Whitney, then SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. Be an open book. Shit or get off the pot.
Back to the crack cocaine and weed devastation. Most apparent? Her voice. She said fuck you to her voice, the 'gift that God gave her' by all the cocaine/crack/weed smoking she did. That explains the surgeries and voice doctors that were trying to clean her up. It's why she sounds like she has a nasty cold when she talks and her singing sounds rough and choppy. She said fuck you to God. She turned her back because she was so angry, I guess. I would be too if I had to give up what I wanted for "appearances". I recall her ex saying something that Whitney seemed to see herself a certain way and didn't understand that music is a business. I have to find the exact quote but it was very telling and intelligent and dead on.
There was a lot of money at stake for Ms. Whitney. Whether the ex was a convenient foil, I'm sure he got his money's worth too. Maybe he really did love her, maybe he was just tired of being her paid beard or the snickers from the females and gay crowd who believed they knew better, I don't know. It sounds like a lot of denial went on in that house of hers and they were both hurt, angry and tired...and not getting any younger. Time was passing and their child was growing up and seeing way too much for years. I'm sure the anger sex was dynamite. At least we know they had one encounter, because they have a child. The ex has said this was to shut everybody up. I don't know. A lot of lesbians can get pregnant and carry a child and give birth too. It doesn't change anything Whitney.
I agreed with Wendy W. talking on her show about Whitney not owning her addiction to drugs. I don't always agree with Wendy but I was wondering the same thing and everyone was too busy to prop tired ol' Whitney up to say anything that might be perceived as negative. I mean, come on, Clive in the audience? What was the old creaky man going to do, catch her if she fell off the stage due to a dizzy spell on methadone? Give me a break.
Whitney's got a longggg way to go as far as recovery. And I think she's doing this just to say thank you but not necessarily to get a career up and running again. Those days are over. Even if you say to us, "oh, I'm going to be here a long time and keep making music because it's what I love to do and I want to show that I mean business on getting healthy and making money," or whatever, the bottom line is, you are done. Your voice is permanently destroyed. You are done. The doctors and Clive did the best they can. But you are done. Get better for yourself and your child, not for your fans or Oprah. Thank you for letting us know you are working on that but just go honey, and your fans are going to just have to be fans from afar and get a life of their own.
And don't tell me, Oh, we can relate to Whitney because we've had troubles/drug problems/spit on me shit happen. You and Whitney will never relate because you have never made her money, had her career or had her life. You don't know and you will never know so therefore, if seeing her drugged up or abused makes you feel somewhat comforted that you have something in common, YOU need to get yourself committed to the funny farm and fast. I am so done with this Jerry Springer era bullshit of where we laugh or are comforted in knowing people are 'worse off' than us.
And Oprah you chicken-shit, you didn't really push the tough questions on Whitney. Shame on you. But I know that Whitney wouldn't have come on if you were going to, and so...you all sit up and pray and just hope for the best. You did this as a favor to her and Clive and you are not fooling anybody. You know Whitney is basically a dead man walking. She doesn't have much time left on this planet.
What really scares me is her daughter is talking of a music career. Well, that and how Whitney's mom had to tell Whitney that enough was fucking enough. What if her mom was dead? Then what? Would she have stood up and walked out if not for herself then for her kid then? Don't think so. And that's sad. It makes me also aware of how repetitious the cycle of tragedy is. This girl comes from not one but BOTH PARENTS that are addicts. And she talks of how she is 'friends' or 'best friends' with Whitney and she's not even 18. You are not best friends with your mother. She is not your equal. That's how much growing up this child had to do -- how much living she had to do away from her mother because her mother was too busy trying to conform to everybody's notion of what her life and happiness should be.
If Whitney ever decides to come out, it would definitely explain all of this nightmare. Because a lot of people, when they fight against who they are because they are afraid of not being accepted (or losing money or a career out of the process) and they happen to come from a religious background, it's just a sad losing battle that either takes your mind, your heart, your soul or your body. Or some other innocent like your child in the process. You end up dead in a tragic way.
So heed the signs, Whitney. God will love you no matter what you are or who you love. And once you understand that, you can let go of your fear of others' preconceptions, and open up dialogue for others who are still struggling with their fears holding them back. You could be an inspiration on another level -- if you wanted to. Or you can simply take care of the few years left your child will need you -- then what?
I understand bills need to be paid, but this is what got you into your mess in the first place. I wonder how many of these "oh I love Whitney" fans would drop you in a hot second if they REALLY knew who you are -- and not that sweet commercial prepackaging that Clive put you in?
Take care anyways,
signed a Realist
Thursday, September 10, 2009
seasons change
Tomorrow is a gig -- but I'm going to be on something else. That's the way it goes.
I have to do this in order to move up.
The weather has cooled considerably. Augh. Sun is setting sooner. Double augh. Fall is right around the corner.
I feel good. Calm. After this, have another week to work on stuff and tie up loose ends.
I have to do this in order to move up.
The weather has cooled considerably. Augh. Sun is setting sooner. Double augh. Fall is right around the corner.
I feel good. Calm. After this, have another week to work on stuff and tie up loose ends.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Today it's heading over to the bank
To deposit my check from SVU. I'm excited. It's really ... I hate to say it, pathetic, because I jump for joy over these checks like I'm making a thousand dollars a check when it's nowhere near.
These checks are more exciting and seem more 'rich' because it's related to something I want to do with my life. AUGH!
The sun is out. It looks like a pretty day. I'm getting dressed and running some errands, amongst them the bank deposit. Feel pretty productive and important today. Would like to deposit some more this coming week!
I continue to stay positive, submit for work, and try not to worry over things too much. When it gets too much, I write, to get it all out or just to sort it all out. Who knows? Maybe I'll find a good paying gig just by walking outside today. That'll be something!
I'll take my phone with me just in case someone calls. Feeling a little lightheaded, so I may need to eat something but have no idea what.
These checks are more exciting and seem more 'rich' because it's related to something I want to do with my life. AUGH!
The sun is out. It looks like a pretty day. I'm getting dressed and running some errands, amongst them the bank deposit. Feel pretty productive and important today. Would like to deposit some more this coming week!
I continue to stay positive, submit for work, and try not to worry over things too much. When it gets too much, I write, to get it all out or just to sort it all out. Who knows? Maybe I'll find a good paying gig just by walking outside today. That'll be something!
I'll take my phone with me just in case someone calls. Feeling a little lightheaded, so I may need to eat something but have no idea what.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
volunteer work
A little pensive as I just finished taking a nice hot shower real quick, shampooed, and got out within 2 1/2 songs on the radio. I dried off, changed clothing, and went back to my room. The dog already escaped and went to her dedicated space; she was no longer resting and waiting for me on the bed. My doggie can be so clingy for human companionship that she followed me to the bathroom door, sniffed loudly under it to let me know she was there and she knew I was in there, then went to her room as if to punish me: "You left me alone? Well, I can do that too! You won't see me when you go back to your room, how about them apples?"
Yes, I believe my dog can talk when no one's around. She's very smart. And belligerant.
In any case, I'm resting before changing into my street clothes and heading over to my volunteer gig. There's nothing more zen to me than chopping and cutting up various veggies and wrapping bagels for a poor person's meal. I can just totally clear my head and focus on the veggies and making sure I don't chop my fingers off or cut myself. And for three hours I can get out of my head and hear other people chat about their lives, giving me a slight window into their worlds.
It's a welcome and productive respite.
Now that I've just found out I'm AFTRA must-join, (or must-pay, because that's essentially what it is) it's even more urgent to find a job that will pay me well, so I can start saving for membership. I hear the dues are going up in November (how nice) so I have to get a move on.
The movie Definitely Maybe is playing as I type this. I was in it, but the two scenes I was in, seemingly completely cut out. Sigh. The world of a background actor. *smile*
Yes, I believe my dog can talk when no one's around. She's very smart. And belligerant.
In any case, I'm resting before changing into my street clothes and heading over to my volunteer gig. There's nothing more zen to me than chopping and cutting up various veggies and wrapping bagels for a poor person's meal. I can just totally clear my head and focus on the veggies and making sure I don't chop my fingers off or cut myself. And for three hours I can get out of my head and hear other people chat about their lives, giving me a slight window into their worlds.
It's a welcome and productive respite.
Now that I've just found out I'm AFTRA must-join, (or must-pay, because that's essentially what it is) it's even more urgent to find a job that will pay me well, so I can start saving for membership. I hear the dues are going up in November (how nice) so I have to get a move on.
The movie Definitely Maybe is playing as I type this. I was in it, but the two scenes I was in, seemingly completely cut out. Sigh. The world of a background actor. *smile*
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Change in Actor Status -- one step closer, madam
Cramps. AUGH.
Got news yesterday. I am AFTRA must-join. WOW!
I can't believe this incredible thing. But if AFTRA tells me, it must be true.
It explains the silence from Central. They have not been forthcoming with information.
Now to figure out how I can work. If not, then office work here I come. On Monday I must contact two agencies and see who will get me work. I would look over Craigslist but it's been disappointing with a lot of schemes to get you to take in money or conduct financial affairs here -- all through your personal bank account. No f-kin way.
In any case, I continue to look. I've given my resume to a few people who know of some who work in HR. I've applied direct to several companies and still silence. Don't know what's going on.
They're showing The Other Boleyn Girl again. It's pretty looking at that time period but of course from a cool distance.
Must figure out my next move. It's coming, good stuff, good times, I can feel it. *smile*
I actually feel hopeful and positive.
Got news yesterday. I am AFTRA must-join. WOW!
I can't believe this incredible thing. But if AFTRA tells me, it must be true.
It explains the silence from Central. They have not been forthcoming with information.
Now to figure out how I can work. If not, then office work here I come. On Monday I must contact two agencies and see who will get me work. I would look over Craigslist but it's been disappointing with a lot of schemes to get you to take in money or conduct financial affairs here -- all through your personal bank account. No f-kin way.
In any case, I continue to look. I've given my resume to a few people who know of some who work in HR. I've applied direct to several companies and still silence. Don't know what's going on.
They're showing The Other Boleyn Girl again. It's pretty looking at that time period but of course from a cool distance.
Must figure out my next move. It's coming, good stuff, good times, I can feel it. *smile*
I actually feel hopeful and positive.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
times are tough
Phone's not ringing, my normal background agency is not calling me back for anything, and I mean, anything for paid work. Dunno what's going on. I continue to post. I see another judge show coming up. Some of my fellow BG actors have thrown in the towel to take up temp work (temp work is opening up, I can't believe it). I've talked to two agencies and have yet to get together with one (we keep changing the date) and the newest one I just got a lead on to call so I'll do that most likely tomorrow.
I can't believe tomorrow's already Friday. As I type this, I'm hanging out in Queens, visiting some dear family and just finished eating a hearty and healthy lunch of fresh steamed veggies and spicy pork. Delicious! The humidity has tempered off a bit so it's not as hot as it's been for the past two weeks. It's amazing how quickly people bitched about the humidity when we've had one of the coldest wettest summers ever.
People complain just to complain sometimes. Guess it's better than finding an actual solution. Yeah, I should talk.
Got invited to a couple of things that all seem to be converging for the first week of September.
I am stuffed. I'm resting a little so decided to multi-task, get my blog post in and get home, do some wash, and call it a day. Things are pretty slow so I should take advantage of this precious time. I realized for the second time I did not finish the Eat, Pray, Love book, so I figure the book just didn't capture my imagination as I was lead to believe it might. I barely got into India and then ran out of steam, although Italy was cute.
I just can't feel any sympathy for someone who packs in a marriage out of boredom and travels the world to find herself. I am as poor as a churchmouse and can barely gather enough change to ride the subway back and forth for a gig. I can't be envious of a character who would upset her life (not because she was abused or anything, she was simply bored and wondered the "is this all there is"?) and then have the money to go on a world adventure.
Sorry, sour grapes?
In any case, I'm about to sign off this for now. Just checked job sites and it's quiet. Friday should be quiet in any case because those who work are already in 'weekend mode' and don't want to be bothered with returning phone calls and working in great concentration.
I can't believe tomorrow's already Friday. As I type this, I'm hanging out in Queens, visiting some dear family and just finished eating a hearty and healthy lunch of fresh steamed veggies and spicy pork. Delicious! The humidity has tempered off a bit so it's not as hot as it's been for the past two weeks. It's amazing how quickly people bitched about the humidity when we've had one of the coldest wettest summers ever.
People complain just to complain sometimes. Guess it's better than finding an actual solution. Yeah, I should talk.
Got invited to a couple of things that all seem to be converging for the first week of September.
I am stuffed. I'm resting a little so decided to multi-task, get my blog post in and get home, do some wash, and call it a day. Things are pretty slow so I should take advantage of this precious time. I realized for the second time I did not finish the Eat, Pray, Love book, so I figure the book just didn't capture my imagination as I was lead to believe it might. I barely got into India and then ran out of steam, although Italy was cute.
I just can't feel any sympathy for someone who packs in a marriage out of boredom and travels the world to find herself. I am as poor as a churchmouse and can barely gather enough change to ride the subway back and forth for a gig. I can't be envious of a character who would upset her life (not because she was abused or anything, she was simply bored and wondered the "is this all there is"?) and then have the money to go on a world adventure.
Sorry, sour grapes?
In any case, I'm about to sign off this for now. Just checked job sites and it's quiet. Friday should be quiet in any case because those who work are already in 'weekend mode' and don't want to be bothered with returning phone calls and working in great concentration.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
back to checking for work
What was really interesting was a post put up and simultaneously cut off as far as people submitting. I haven't checked the phone lines, as that tends to get slightly confusing with the multiple posts that were never bothered to have been erased. That cuts into my phone time waiting for each message only to hear repeats of things outdated and no longer open. Sheesh.
What's the point of having a hotline if you can't update it in a timely manner?
I'm telling you, it's getting rough out there and the attention to detail clearly shows the franticness or lack of attention to detail, the attitude that it gives off is "I don't give a damn because I'm not the one looking for work, you are, so jump for it"
I continue to look for office work as I have a plan and want to follow through with that.
The phone rang this morning for some b.s. company that keeps changing the number it's calling from -- they are notorious for the bait and switch, they write on craigslist all the time, don't identify themselves, change up the ads, and then wonder why people tell them they're not interested once they do identify themselves over the phone, justifying calling you by saying you contacted them when in reality you didn't, you were responding to a blind ad.
Fuckers.
In any case, I can't give up. Must keep looking and submitting for work.
What's the point of having a hotline if you can't update it in a timely manner?
I'm telling you, it's getting rough out there and the attention to detail clearly shows the franticness or lack of attention to detail, the attitude that it gives off is "I don't give a damn because I'm not the one looking for work, you are, so jump for it"
I continue to look for office work as I have a plan and want to follow through with that.
The phone rang this morning for some b.s. company that keeps changing the number it's calling from -- they are notorious for the bait and switch, they write on craigslist all the time, don't identify themselves, change up the ads, and then wonder why people tell them they're not interested once they do identify themselves over the phone, justifying calling you by saying you contacted them when in reality you didn't, you were responding to a blind ad.
Fuckers.
In any case, I can't give up. Must keep looking and submitting for work.
A call out of the blue
Went to an audition today for WebMD. A health segment.
I was feeling iffy, thinking of changing my mind. I had transportation costs to think about and my energy wasn't there. But when the time came, I showered, got dressed, and headed out with my almost five bucks for transportation on the train to the audition place.
When I got there, several other auditions from other casting agencies were going on at the same time in the same floor area. There were kids laughing and talking loudly under the age of 8 for one project, and a bunch of older people for some other gig. I seemed to be part of the group that was in the middle age-wise, that signed in on the sign-in sheet, got my photo taken, and filled out the information about me. I also took an online Q&A test to see if I was right for the role, which was a health segment about diagnosing depression.
The woman next to me joked about how she was being mindful to fill out the 'right' answers since we were to show how depressed we were. I found that funny and laughed.
I guess who wants to admit if they are truly depressed or may have symptoms? It's become more sociably acceptable to state you go to a therapist than state you are depressed.
As we waited outside the rehearsal room door, the casting assistant printed out my results and brought it over it me. Turns out I may have symptoms. Ta-da! So at least I made it through that much.
I read it through. It was pretty wordy and five pages. I thought about what I was going to say and wondered what the audition would be like. Would I have to portray a tearful, tissue wringing person about to be on the verge of hysterical collapse or would I have to be real still, almost statue like, answering questions in a monotone?
I also recalled the interrupted sleep patterns, the anxiety, repetitive thoughts, the worry about finances. And this was giving me inspiration in order to present myself as...myself, quietly and intelligently concerned about what I was suspecting about my health.
So I was able to be real in front of the camera as I was being interviewed by a woman who sat behind the camera and I could tell she was feeling that this wasn't a regular acting thing I was relating. She felt it, and closed her eyes, nodding her head when I hit on the points that were in the printout I was given and about how I felt.
I gave an honest audition. Was it good? I hope so.
Judging by the casting assistant's response, I'm not sure. I know she had a job to do and it's not pleasant having to ask people the same old questions and record them over and over again in some non-descript room lit by flourescent bulbs. She wished me well after we finished. I didn't ask when the decision would come down, and said goodbye to her and the other casting assistant and went on my way.
They say the key to good acting (and what separates good from bad) is when you have a ring of truth in your acting. A part of you has to be in each role you play otherwise you will appear false and not believable. It's not enough to physically be in the role, but mentally and emotionally. It has to come together to ring true.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
radio voiceover update
Actually got a response from the voiceover project. They are awaiting a finalization on their project before quoting me a rate.
I didn't think I'd hear anything. They could be b.s.ing me but it was a nice reply. Have yet to get the finished prior project in the mail.
If I get that, then maybe I'll believe they are really waiting on that client before sending me the quote.
Trying not to get too excited about it.
I wish I could be rich enough to pay someone to listen to me complain. I want someone to offer me a way out, or at least bring me viable solutions that are reachable for me. Oh, what the hell.
A part of me wishes someone wise would advise me of the answer that's been in front of me all this time, and that it's obvious and easy to achieve that I breathe a sigh of relief and go "aha! so simple, so blessedly wonderfully simple, I can do that, WOW! no problem YAY doin' it now."
Until that elder arrives with that precious insight, I'm continuing to wade through the transparent sticky jello that is my life situation right now.
I didn't think I'd hear anything. They could be b.s.ing me but it was a nice reply. Have yet to get the finished prior project in the mail.
If I get that, then maybe I'll believe they are really waiting on that client before sending me the quote.
Trying not to get too excited about it.
I wish I could be rich enough to pay someone to listen to me complain. I want someone to offer me a way out, or at least bring me viable solutions that are reachable for me. Oh, what the hell.
A part of me wishes someone wise would advise me of the answer that's been in front of me all this time, and that it's obvious and easy to achieve that I breathe a sigh of relief and go "aha! so simple, so blessedly wonderfully simple, I can do that, WOW! no problem YAY doin' it now."
Until that elder arrives with that precious insight, I'm continuing to wade through the transparent sticky jello that is my life situation right now.
Depression ad
So I wrote truthfully to a WebMD potential gig for a health segment about depression. I wrote that in these economic times, I doubt they would have any trouble finding people who were suffering from depression. I know I am.
A friend pointed it out to me. I'm tired all the time, I can't even taste my food anymore, I'm eating sporadically, I'm not really excited about many things. The acting thing is sporadic at best and my limited money flow problems are growing not shrinking. Suffice it to say, things don't look very good and haven't for quite for some time.
I don't do 'poor' well, I admit that. I like knowing I can pay the rent next month and that I'm up to date with all my bills if not paid in full. I like knowing my credit isn't shot to hell and that if I want to buy a candy bar without counting my change three times while inwardly debating if I will have enough money for transportation to the next potential gig, I can do that.
They say if you want something to come to you, either focus on it or don't. In other words, don't force it let it come naturally. Well, what if naturally ain't fast enough and you are behind over a month in your bills? What do you do then?
So back to the WebMD ad. If I answer their questions and I'm to their liking, I can move on to an audition. Doesn't mean I get the role, but they get my information whether I get the job or not. Ain't that something? So I dredge up money to ride the train (which is now $4.50) and show up in hopes that I will have what they are looking for in order to land the job.
What is it that they say, a bird in hand...?
In any case, I take the chance so I don't end up inadvertently regretting it later on and show that I'm making an effort to pull myself out of my hole. Let's see what happens.
A friend pointed it out to me. I'm tired all the time, I can't even taste my food anymore, I'm eating sporadically, I'm not really excited about many things. The acting thing is sporadic at best and my limited money flow problems are growing not shrinking. Suffice it to say, things don't look very good and haven't for quite for some time.
I don't do 'poor' well, I admit that. I like knowing I can pay the rent next month and that I'm up to date with all my bills if not paid in full. I like knowing my credit isn't shot to hell and that if I want to buy a candy bar without counting my change three times while inwardly debating if I will have enough money for transportation to the next potential gig, I can do that.
They say if you want something to come to you, either focus on it or don't. In other words, don't force it let it come naturally. Well, what if naturally ain't fast enough and you are behind over a month in your bills? What do you do then?
So back to the WebMD ad. If I answer their questions and I'm to their liking, I can move on to an audition. Doesn't mean I get the role, but they get my information whether I get the job or not. Ain't that something? So I dredge up money to ride the train (which is now $4.50) and show up in hopes that I will have what they are looking for in order to land the job.
What is it that they say, a bird in hand...?
In any case, I take the chance so I don't end up inadvertently regretting it later on and show that I'm making an effort to pull myself out of my hole. Let's see what happens.
Monday, August 24, 2009
as luck would have it
Yes, timing and tenacity are the main things for an actor to have.
Timing tends to be the better of the two.
I was told of the actress that plays Morgana on the new Merlin series that the BBC has (now running as a 'first run' for the summer on NBC in NYC).
Turns out she was a costume person, and was encouraged to pursue acting. Playing Morgana in Merlin is her SECOND gig. Just heard BBC is shooting second season of Merlin. Not bad.
Don't know if she had any acting training but obviously someone felt she was on the wrong side of the entertainment business curtain. Hmm.
Timing tends to be the better of the two.
I was told of the actress that plays Morgana on the new Merlin series that the BBC has (now running as a 'first run' for the summer on NBC in NYC).
Turns out she was a costume person, and was encouraged to pursue acting. Playing Morgana in Merlin is her SECOND gig. Just heard BBC is shooting second season of Merlin. Not bad.
Don't know if she had any acting training but obviously someone felt she was on the wrong side of the entertainment business curtain. Hmm.
finances
Got a call last week from an actual employment agency. A sign that the economy is improving...?
Was given a whole rundown on the job and what they were looking for, and my resume pretty much covers what they are looking for experience wise and attitude wise.
I gave my availability for this week to interview. So we'll see what happens.
The voiceover job never answered my initial response and question on pay rate. So I wrote again late last night to follow-up as the supposed time the job was to take place has since come and gone. I would say I'm disappointed, but money is something that needs to be discussed. It's an uncomfortable topic for some, but I'd already done some freebie work for them prior, and was not about to do it again without some form of compensation in return, it's only fair.
Money's tighter than ever.
What is that, I hear my inner voice say? Life is not fair. Oh well.
As Scarlett O'Hara would say, "I'll think about it tomorrow."
Several months ago, a discussion came up about how one could be misled or feel taken advantage of regarding pay rates for a background gig.
One of the actors who were made aware of this situation posted the rant of one of the BG'ers anonymously on their blog. I noted no one ever responded. Over time, this blog had gotten some notoriety as the blogger stated to several people that they had actually gotten contacted by the casting agencies involved with the particular gig/situation for other postings the blogger had done and had been told to revise what they wrote. When this blogger asked for advice on what to do on the revising issue (something about the freedom of speech thing) one of the pieces of advice given was that the blogger could write whatever they wanted, as long as it was true and they had the proof to back it up.
The blogger advised they had decided it wasn't worth the drama and said they had gone back and did the revise. Yet I didn't see much of a difference in the posts. One was particularly inflammatory to one person, and that post was taken down in its entirety. Other than that, there was very little tweaking of this blogger's observations if at all.
So back to this anonymous poster that the blogger put on their site. Turns out that several months later it makes an appearance, word for word, on a well known acting site. The person who wrote the rant was listed anonymously, but the reply from the contributing writer to the acting site really lit into this person, in essence saying their reasoning was skewered and at one point, an insult to the ones who came before us on what real employment bias is.
Suffice it to say, I immediately reached out to the blogger who had posted this rant letter months ago to find out what they thought. They were remiss in an actual opinion, only acknowledging that the letter was indeed from their source.
Then I noted it had been discussed at some length by the contributing writer with several others online before their response to the rant letter went to print. I'm sure the blogger is impressed. In one way it's exciting that this blogger is getting on the radar and has had casting agencies as well as major publications take notice of what they write. There is power in writing. In another way, it may paint them and the anonymous letter writer in a hole as far as future acting work.
Which leads me to the piece of advice I plan to stick to so I don't end up in a sticky situation. Be professional and nice to everyone because you never know who knows who.
So it will be interesting to see what comes out of this.
Was given a whole rundown on the job and what they were looking for, and my resume pretty much covers what they are looking for experience wise and attitude wise.
I gave my availability for this week to interview. So we'll see what happens.
The voiceover job never answered my initial response and question on pay rate. So I wrote again late last night to follow-up as the supposed time the job was to take place has since come and gone. I would say I'm disappointed, but money is something that needs to be discussed. It's an uncomfortable topic for some, but I'd already done some freebie work for them prior, and was not about to do it again without some form of compensation in return, it's only fair.
Money's tighter than ever.
What is that, I hear my inner voice say? Life is not fair. Oh well.
As Scarlett O'Hara would say, "I'll think about it tomorrow."
Several months ago, a discussion came up about how one could be misled or feel taken advantage of regarding pay rates for a background gig.
One of the actors who were made aware of this situation posted the rant of one of the BG'ers anonymously on their blog. I noted no one ever responded. Over time, this blog had gotten some notoriety as the blogger stated to several people that they had actually gotten contacted by the casting agencies involved with the particular gig/situation for other postings the blogger had done and had been told to revise what they wrote. When this blogger asked for advice on what to do on the revising issue (something about the freedom of speech thing) one of the pieces of advice given was that the blogger could write whatever they wanted, as long as it was true and they had the proof to back it up.
The blogger advised they had decided it wasn't worth the drama and said they had gone back and did the revise. Yet I didn't see much of a difference in the posts. One was particularly inflammatory to one person, and that post was taken down in its entirety. Other than that, there was very little tweaking of this blogger's observations if at all.
So back to this anonymous poster that the blogger put on their site. Turns out that several months later it makes an appearance, word for word, on a well known acting site. The person who wrote the rant was listed anonymously, but the reply from the contributing writer to the acting site really lit into this person, in essence saying their reasoning was skewered and at one point, an insult to the ones who came before us on what real employment bias is.
Suffice it to say, I immediately reached out to the blogger who had posted this rant letter months ago to find out what they thought. They were remiss in an actual opinion, only acknowledging that the letter was indeed from their source.
Then I noted it had been discussed at some length by the contributing writer with several others online before their response to the rant letter went to print. I'm sure the blogger is impressed. In one way it's exciting that this blogger is getting on the radar and has had casting agencies as well as major publications take notice of what they write. There is power in writing. In another way, it may paint them and the anonymous letter writer in a hole as far as future acting work.
Which leads me to the piece of advice I plan to stick to so I don't end up in a sticky situation. Be professional and nice to everyone because you never know who knows who.
So it will be interesting to see what comes out of this.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Had fun on SVU
I had no idea SVU had a studio out in Jersey. But SVU had transportation to pick us up from Manhattan to Jersey and back both days.
I played a juror and got to see the infamous precient set, the jail cell, and of course sit in the courtroom for a scene that included actress Christine Lahti as an attorney and actor Scott Foley (of "Felicity" fame and played Elliot's seal loving boyfriend on the "Scrubs" show). I also saw briefly yesterday Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni who were chatting with crew and fellow actors on set. It was great to see them however brief. They were not in the courtroom scene with us though.
The food was good, we had regular access to fresh coffee, water, soda and snacks. We weren't there from early dawn to late night either for either day. Call time was afternoon, and we were all home well before midnight. It was overall a relaxed easy going gig.
I did get to see a couple of people I deal with. Not too many came through GW though, they came through some other extra casting agency. I am grateful I came through the way I did.
Already put in for other gigs next week. Seems things are starting to pick up. *fingers crossed*
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Agog
Got a two day gig. For Law & Order: SVU. I will be playing a juror.
THRILLED is an understatement.
THRILLED is an understatement.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
craziness
The job posts have been coming on with a quickness and abundance for once! I've been applying like mad.
Meanwhile, I get a headsup from the cheapies over at Bonzo -- they wanted me to come back.
No other information though. Like pay. Hmmm. What would you do in my shoes?
I continue to look for paid work.
I can no longer afford to give out freebies. Not rich here. Not by a long shot.
Meanwhile, I get a headsup from the cheapies over at Bonzo -- they wanted me to come back.
No other information though. Like pay. Hmmm. What would you do in my shoes?
I continue to look for paid work.
I can no longer afford to give out freebies. Not rich here. Not by a long shot.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
what is going on with background work?
Postings going on left and right for work -- yet no response. What needs to change?
I must get to Central Casting and update my photo. I think it needs to be changed and I have to do that soon. There is something in the air. According to some recent talk, it could simply be that with more people out of work, they are looking at background work as a way to supplement their income, they are fresh faces, which means background agencies are more receptive to them.
I have no idea. I just am puzzled as to the sudden dry-up.
I continue to gain work from other places but not THE major background agency? Give me a break!
Meanwhile, actors continue to bicker offline about their concerns. I don't know what's going on but it's affecting all of us and people are losing friendships. This is crazy.
I must get to Central Casting and update my photo. I think it needs to be changed and I have to do that soon. There is something in the air. According to some recent talk, it could simply be that with more people out of work, they are looking at background work as a way to supplement their income, they are fresh faces, which means background agencies are more receptive to them.
I have no idea. I just am puzzled as to the sudden dry-up.
I continue to gain work from other places but not THE major background agency? Give me a break!
Meanwhile, actors continue to bicker offline about their concerns. I don't know what's going on but it's affecting all of us and people are losing friendships. This is crazy.
Monday, August 17, 2009
OMFG
Arrived on time for The Bonzo movie. It was the beginning of a heat wave in NYC, and I arrived dressed for the shoot. I only had to change the skirt once wardrobe checked me out. Water nowhere to be found, so I asked wardrobe who was kind to bring me and another girl cold bottled water. I noticed there was not a lot of people in the unconditioned auditorium, where we were sitting and silently perspiring as one of the PA's would yell out from time to time that they were filming in the room next door which was the cafeteria and wanted quiet.
Three fans whirled, and two were sitting next to each other and were flush to the wall, which means NO air circulated save for the ten people who hung out in front of it as they loudly bleated answers to some Q&A game they were playing. Two loudly voiced their displeasure when hushed by the PA's.
11:00 and 11:30 came and went with no word as to when we would go on set. The PA's hung out and chatted amongst themselves and hushed us when they filming next door while they checked fashion websites, one regarding a fashion spread out of one of the Olsen twins in some magazine as we continued to sit and wait. One of the extras confided they had been there the last time and noted that it was a 8:30 am call and they didn't get fed until 4 pm. Then they were filming til 9 pm or so. The extra concluded their story by stating that they were not used for the filming, although they had asked to be released if they weren't going to be used and were advised by the PA that they would be used -- and never were used.
That had me worried, and I went to go find something to eat. I kept noting a catering sign so I followed the signs after seeing no action by 12:00. The school was a bit of a maze so I just followed the signs. I found a catering room alright. There was a PA sitting, looking flushed from the heat, head leaning on one hand as she peered intently at her laptop screen. She barely glanced up and I noticed through some wide windows that kids were laughing loudly and splashing in a pool that was no more than three feet deep. The pool looked cool and inviting. I tried to ignore the teacher get-up I was wearing and went over to the table where I found some bagels, some organic peanut butter that when opened had the consistency of soup, and two yogurts that were room temperature along with a small bowl of sliced fruit.
There was nothing cold to drink. There were tons of soda cans, that apparently hadn't seen the refrigerator in some time that were stacked. Other than that, there seemed to be coffee and not much else.
A PA called my attention and asked if I was me, and I said yes, rather surprised. I had worked with this PA prior on another separate paid gig, and we had recognized and greeted each other warmly. "They're wanting you on set," the PA explained. "Oh!" I had the bagel in my hand and wrapped it in a napkin to take back. "You could take it with you to set," the PA offered, and I asked if it was OK to simply drop it off in holding -- it was determined that we were on our way to pass holding to go to set anyway as it was next door.
I got to drop it off and the other PA looked at me urgently as he could, holding the door and looking at me. I grabbed my glasses that completed my look and put the bagel in my bag and headed up. I went to set and was ushered to another PA who didn't provide much direction other than to blend in with the other extras. Turns out they weren't even filming, just blocking, and the area wasn't huge to do so.
After a minute, I kid you not, we were sent back to holding for another two hours to do absolutely nothing.
We found the notes for the breakdown of what the scene would be, plus I found the pink sheets that are normally the updated sheets of what would be going down. It all took place in the cafeteria, a simple set up of the zoom in to the lunch food, then lunch lady serving lunch, then Jesse and co-star talking amongst themselves about female classmates that pass them by in the school cafeteria. That was it. There were no other lines or even a direction about me or any other extra having a line or some thing. The group I was a part of wasn't even mentioned in the bloody script, white or pink. I was like, WTF? I had suspicions that this was going to be another day that the certain extras would not be used, AGAIN. They were focusing on the kids, so that was basically that. I checked to see if there was going to be subsequent scene and nothing more was indicated. Just this one scene in the cafeteria. This apparently took a lot of discussion and blocking on behalf of the crew that labored and sweated in the heat trying to get everything just right for the director to film. Outside there was an extra strong power light that was on while it was a sunny day already out and plenty of sunlight was streaming into the cafeteria.
One of the extras came quietly from the side of the building and announced that pizza had arrived. The PA in charge of us came in and announced that they were waiting for the pizza to arrive. Yet we already knew the pizza was there and most likely would be gone through first by the crew as they had declared their break. It was all very informal with not much information being given to the extras. Lots of buzz amongst themselves as we sat and waited, perspiring in the non air conditioned space.
It was after 3 pm when one of the extras came in from hanging out in the hallway and grabbed a slice of leftover pizza that was put out in the hallway for the extras to eat. No real announcement was made. We starving extras made our way to the table, where there were about six boxes. They were quickly gone through, with the young teenagers young adults taking two slices and not realizing that other people were there to eat too and hadn't gotten to the pizza yet and still waiting on line.
By the time I got to the pizza, it was all gone. I put down my plate and grabbed a little soda and went back to holding in a mixed feeling of amusement and disgust. It was going on 3:30 and there was nothing to eat. I went to catering and there was nothing.
I was done. I went back to the holding area that had gotten warmer as a new batch of extras had arrived at 3 to help polish off the pizza we had been waiting so patiently on for an hour before.
I went to speak to the PA in charge of us, but I could tell the PA knew I was going to be the bearer of bad news and avoided me twice. I wanted to know when we would be used, as that would be my final determination as to whether I would stay or leave.
The TBD that had been placed in the compensation area of the casting ad for this gig was now determined to be zero. Should have read "to be diddly" as far as pay. And yet they seemed to have no problem asking for four days from the extras involved. The other extras said they would not be coming back. I had shrugged, saying that I was going to wait and see what they did today and that would decide my staying on. The extra that had been there prior explained that we would not be paid, even though I had told the extra I had seen the company place ads stating TBD on pay and even offering some roles a certain amount, like for the featured parents they wanted, they would be giving $100. "Gas money," snorted another extra who was there with her two starry eyed kids who wanted to say they worked on a movie with Jesse McCartney. I wondered if Jesse was working for free or got a slice of pizza for his trouble.
I tried to get the attention of the PA who clearly didn't want to hear me, so I gathered my bags and said goodbye to the extras and headed out. I found the exit on my own and didn't stop walking until I reached the turnstiles of the train to put my Metrocard in -- another thought -- transportation money is another thing that will not be reimbursed by these cheapies. I'm supposed to be thrilled to work a movie with a Disney star who certainly was not working for free and would not notice if I was there or not anyway. And feel lucky as a sonofabitch for getting a squeaked thank you from the sweaty PA -- wonder if the crew worked for free.
I reminded myself this is why unions will never go away, as they serve a purpose. I didn't feel a pang of guilt as the gush of cool air conditioned air greeted me as I walked through the passenger door of the waiting train. The shoot was so far out in Brooklyn, that the train sat on the very last stop and then you had to walk several blocks and a couple of long avenues to get to the shoot site which was on a private school that had ducks and geese and even roosters walking around on its grounds.
Three fans whirled, and two were sitting next to each other and were flush to the wall, which means NO air circulated save for the ten people who hung out in front of it as they loudly bleated answers to some Q&A game they were playing. Two loudly voiced their displeasure when hushed by the PA's.
11:00 and 11:30 came and went with no word as to when we would go on set. The PA's hung out and chatted amongst themselves and hushed us when they filming next door while they checked fashion websites, one regarding a fashion spread out of one of the Olsen twins in some magazine as we continued to sit and wait. One of the extras confided they had been there the last time and noted that it was a 8:30 am call and they didn't get fed until 4 pm. Then they were filming til 9 pm or so. The extra concluded their story by stating that they were not used for the filming, although they had asked to be released if they weren't going to be used and were advised by the PA that they would be used -- and never were used.
That had me worried, and I went to go find something to eat. I kept noting a catering sign so I followed the signs after seeing no action by 12:00. The school was a bit of a maze so I just followed the signs. I found a catering room alright. There was a PA sitting, looking flushed from the heat, head leaning on one hand as she peered intently at her laptop screen. She barely glanced up and I noticed through some wide windows that kids were laughing loudly and splashing in a pool that was no more than three feet deep. The pool looked cool and inviting. I tried to ignore the teacher get-up I was wearing and went over to the table where I found some bagels, some organic peanut butter that when opened had the consistency of soup, and two yogurts that were room temperature along with a small bowl of sliced fruit.
There was nothing cold to drink. There were tons of soda cans, that apparently hadn't seen the refrigerator in some time that were stacked. Other than that, there seemed to be coffee and not much else.
A PA called my attention and asked if I was me, and I said yes, rather surprised. I had worked with this PA prior on another separate paid gig, and we had recognized and greeted each other warmly. "They're wanting you on set," the PA explained. "Oh!" I had the bagel in my hand and wrapped it in a napkin to take back. "You could take it with you to set," the PA offered, and I asked if it was OK to simply drop it off in holding -- it was determined that we were on our way to pass holding to go to set anyway as it was next door.
I got to drop it off and the other PA looked at me urgently as he could, holding the door and looking at me. I grabbed my glasses that completed my look and put the bagel in my bag and headed up. I went to set and was ushered to another PA who didn't provide much direction other than to blend in with the other extras. Turns out they weren't even filming, just blocking, and the area wasn't huge to do so.
After a minute, I kid you not, we were sent back to holding for another two hours to do absolutely nothing.
We found the notes for the breakdown of what the scene would be, plus I found the pink sheets that are normally the updated sheets of what would be going down. It all took place in the cafeteria, a simple set up of the zoom in to the lunch food, then lunch lady serving lunch, then Jesse and co-star talking amongst themselves about female classmates that pass them by in the school cafeteria. That was it. There were no other lines or even a direction about me or any other extra having a line or some thing. The group I was a part of wasn't even mentioned in the bloody script, white or pink. I was like, WTF? I had suspicions that this was going to be another day that the certain extras would not be used, AGAIN. They were focusing on the kids, so that was basically that. I checked to see if there was going to be subsequent scene and nothing more was indicated. Just this one scene in the cafeteria. This apparently took a lot of discussion and blocking on behalf of the crew that labored and sweated in the heat trying to get everything just right for the director to film. Outside there was an extra strong power light that was on while it was a sunny day already out and plenty of sunlight was streaming into the cafeteria.
One of the extras came quietly from the side of the building and announced that pizza had arrived. The PA in charge of us came in and announced that they were waiting for the pizza to arrive. Yet we already knew the pizza was there and most likely would be gone through first by the crew as they had declared their break. It was all very informal with not much information being given to the extras. Lots of buzz amongst themselves as we sat and waited, perspiring in the non air conditioned space.
It was after 3 pm when one of the extras came in from hanging out in the hallway and grabbed a slice of leftover pizza that was put out in the hallway for the extras to eat. No real announcement was made. We starving extras made our way to the table, where there were about six boxes. They were quickly gone through, with the young teenagers young adults taking two slices and not realizing that other people were there to eat too and hadn't gotten to the pizza yet and still waiting on line.
By the time I got to the pizza, it was all gone. I put down my plate and grabbed a little soda and went back to holding in a mixed feeling of amusement and disgust. It was going on 3:30 and there was nothing to eat. I went to catering and there was nothing.
I was done. I went back to the holding area that had gotten warmer as a new batch of extras had arrived at 3 to help polish off the pizza we had been waiting so patiently on for an hour before.
I went to speak to the PA in charge of us, but I could tell the PA knew I was going to be the bearer of bad news and avoided me twice. I wanted to know when we would be used, as that would be my final determination as to whether I would stay or leave.
The TBD that had been placed in the compensation area of the casting ad for this gig was now determined to be zero. Should have read "to be diddly" as far as pay. And yet they seemed to have no problem asking for four days from the extras involved. The other extras said they would not be coming back. I had shrugged, saying that I was going to wait and see what they did today and that would decide my staying on. The extra that had been there prior explained that we would not be paid, even though I had told the extra I had seen the company place ads stating TBD on pay and even offering some roles a certain amount, like for the featured parents they wanted, they would be giving $100. "Gas money," snorted another extra who was there with her two starry eyed kids who wanted to say they worked on a movie with Jesse McCartney. I wondered if Jesse was working for free or got a slice of pizza for his trouble.
I tried to get the attention of the PA who clearly didn't want to hear me, so I gathered my bags and said goodbye to the extras and headed out. I found the exit on my own and didn't stop walking until I reached the turnstiles of the train to put my Metrocard in -- another thought -- transportation money is another thing that will not be reimbursed by these cheapies. I'm supposed to be thrilled to work a movie with a Disney star who certainly was not working for free and would not notice if I was there or not anyway. And feel lucky as a sonofabitch for getting a squeaked thank you from the sweaty PA -- wonder if the crew worked for free.
I reminded myself this is why unions will never go away, as they serve a purpose. I didn't feel a pang of guilt as the gush of cool air conditioned air greeted me as I walked through the passenger door of the waiting train. The shoot was so far out in Brooklyn, that the train sat on the very last stop and then you had to walk several blocks and a couple of long avenues to get to the shoot site which was on a private school that had ducks and geese and even roosters walking around on its grounds.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
got confirmation call today
Guess they want to make sure I show up tomorrow. I wonder if this is going to be worth it. Will I truly get a line or will that be b.s.?
Let's see what happens. I tried to eat today and it promptly ruined my stomach. I wonder if I should just give up food for the next couple of weeks, but not being able to eat weakens me so I'm like WTF?
In a way, this used to happen to me, when the summer heat would come, I would just stop eating. It didn't make me feel weird, but I felt like I just didn't really need to eat. And the past couple of weeks have been really weird as far as eating, because I haven't been feeling well and not really into eating anything in particular.
T is worried. I just don't have an appetite. Shocking to T. Or maybe I am headed for a full on depression. I know that money's tight, has been tight, but this is a first if losing the appetite is part of the path to depression.
We'll see how this week goes. I have Tuesday open for possible work. Suddenly everyone and their mother is posting for work and I have to pass on all of it. Not like I had a chance, but you never know.
I will not let myself linger on this. I am already behind the 8 ball by still being in recovery mode.
Slow going. Will be in Bklyn tomorrow. I am grateful I don't have an early AM call, as that would have been killer.
Will take a shower tonight and get my clothing ready for my teacher role. Hmmm.
Let's see what happens. I tried to eat today and it promptly ruined my stomach. I wonder if I should just give up food for the next couple of weeks, but not being able to eat weakens me so I'm like WTF?
In a way, this used to happen to me, when the summer heat would come, I would just stop eating. It didn't make me feel weird, but I felt like I just didn't really need to eat. And the past couple of weeks have been really weird as far as eating, because I haven't been feeling well and not really into eating anything in particular.
T is worried. I just don't have an appetite. Shocking to T. Or maybe I am headed for a full on depression. I know that money's tight, has been tight, but this is a first if losing the appetite is part of the path to depression.
We'll see how this week goes. I have Tuesday open for possible work. Suddenly everyone and their mother is posting for work and I have to pass on all of it. Not like I had a chance, but you never know.
I will not let myself linger on this. I am already behind the 8 ball by still being in recovery mode.
Slow going. Will be in Bklyn tomorrow. I am grateful I don't have an early AM call, as that would have been killer.
Will take a shower tonight and get my clothing ready for my teacher role. Hmmm.
Friday, August 14, 2009
and now to wait
I haven't heard anything regarding the voiceover project. Either they are reassessing, or waiting for me to blink.
This is the part that can get challenging, exciting or plain boring, depending on where I'm at.
I've submitted for a couple more commercials with other casting agents, so we'll see what happens with that.
I look forward to working Monday. I will find out what the story is. I noticed several background gigs needed people for basically the same days I'm working for and they state the pay amount. Feeling a bit concerned.
Looking to stay positive.
This is the part that can get challenging, exciting or plain boring, depending on where I'm at.
I've submitted for a couple more commercials with other casting agents, so we'll see what happens with that.
I look forward to working Monday. I will find out what the story is. I noticed several background gigs needed people for basically the same days I'm working for and they state the pay amount. Feeling a bit concerned.
Looking to stay positive.
work's coming up
Got word on the finalized dates to play the teacher role in that movie that Jesse McCartney is to be in. Have no idea if he plays my student or what, supposedly I have a line, but we'll see, right?
I know as featured, we get pay, so that's what makes this ultimately satisfying. However, they did not state outright the rate, so I guess I'll be surprised when I get there.
Things seem to be picking up as far as work. I was forwarded a gig for Sunday but I do volunteer work that day so that's out. I am looking for work for Tuesday as that's the one day I'm available this week for work (not counting Saturday).
Got a headsup from a former gig asking about my doing some radio voiceover spots for them, which is great, so I wrote back saying I may be available and what is the rate. The last gig I did for them I got paid, but then I had to go back to do a voice-redo on a line I say, and I did that without getting or asking for any further compensation.
So now they come back with this. I still have yet to see the finished product or get anything for my potential reel. Should I hold my breath on the response? They were nice so I would like to see something positive come out of this for me.
Well, that's all for now. Continue to submit online and wait on whether I will be able to audition for this other gig that would be nice to land (money's decent). I sooo want to do commercials and voiceover work, just wanna get PAID to do it as well. As I was reminded yesterday, I have to treat myself like a business and conduct myself as such. Can't do favors every time.
I know as featured, we get pay, so that's what makes this ultimately satisfying. However, they did not state outright the rate, so I guess I'll be surprised when I get there.
Things seem to be picking up as far as work. I was forwarded a gig for Sunday but I do volunteer work that day so that's out. I am looking for work for Tuesday as that's the one day I'm available this week for work (not counting Saturday).
Got a headsup from a former gig asking about my doing some radio voiceover spots for them, which is great, so I wrote back saying I may be available and what is the rate. The last gig I did for them I got paid, but then I had to go back to do a voice-redo on a line I say, and I did that without getting or asking for any further compensation.
So now they come back with this. I still have yet to see the finished product or get anything for my potential reel. Should I hold my breath on the response? They were nice so I would like to see something positive come out of this for me.
Well, that's all for now. Continue to submit online and wait on whether I will be able to audition for this other gig that would be nice to land (money's decent). I sooo want to do commercials and voiceover work, just wanna get PAID to do it as well. As I was reminded yesterday, I have to treat myself like a business and conduct myself as such. Can't do favors every time.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
wondering
I write because it's easier than losing my mind or just giving up completely on things.
Got encouraging words from people I know are wise. They mean well. They know of what they speak.
It's just another time when times of difficulty will define who I am. Do I turn away or work through it as I normally do? Do I depend on just focused thought or give way to feelings of panic or anxiety or shame?
Do I feel shame for pursuing what makes me happy? Yes. Why? Maybe I feel I don't deserve it. Why? Other people want it. What makes me better than them? Simply wanting it more? Willing to deprive myself of other things in order to ride out the bumps in the road?
Will I look back at this and laugh? I hope so. I do not want to look back with regret about the things I did not stick with or let fear or doubt win. I cannot compare myself to others and must carry on.
I do wonder when this darkness will end. It feels dark. It feels unfamiliar. Scary. At times I feel very much alone. I do have people who believe in me but very few are footing the bill for this escapade of mine. Is that the word I want to use, escapade? I escaped corporate life only to find myself considering to return to it simply because I don't see any other way to make money come quicker?
Continue to have faith and not waver, a voice whispers to me. Do not panic.
WHEN IS HELP COMING???? DAMN IT!
Got encouraging words from people I know are wise. They mean well. They know of what they speak.
It's just another time when times of difficulty will define who I am. Do I turn away or work through it as I normally do? Do I depend on just focused thought or give way to feelings of panic or anxiety or shame?
Do I feel shame for pursuing what makes me happy? Yes. Why? Maybe I feel I don't deserve it. Why? Other people want it. What makes me better than them? Simply wanting it more? Willing to deprive myself of other things in order to ride out the bumps in the road?
Will I look back at this and laugh? I hope so. I do not want to look back with regret about the things I did not stick with or let fear or doubt win. I cannot compare myself to others and must carry on.
I do wonder when this darkness will end. It feels dark. It feels unfamiliar. Scary. At times I feel very much alone. I do have people who believe in me but very few are footing the bill for this escapade of mine. Is that the word I want to use, escapade? I escaped corporate life only to find myself considering to return to it simply because I don't see any other way to make money come quicker?
Continue to have faith and not waver, a voice whispers to me. Do not panic.
WHEN IS HELP COMING???? DAMN IT!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Fighting a nasty cold, relatives, finances, and career
This has been a worrisome time. I have not been able to do anything. I've been sick, tired, and now have another cold that came out of nowhere. Had to dip into rent money in order to pay for the medication. Now on top of feeling sick I'm worried about how I'm going to pay the rent.
This is not how I envisioned my life to be. This is not what I wanted. In the pursuit of going after what I want I find myself poorer than ever.
Frustrating.
Relatives are not helping. They are financially strained themselves. My finances are at a standstill. Save for a couple of lowly checks, I've had zero income this month. T says I've grown beyond background work. Yes, that may be right, but so far nothing has opened up to claim the money spot. So I look backward, towards my old secretarial career, in hopes that some money will start to roll in. Yet in this economic climate, it seems I couldn't have picked a worse time. Yet the news says the economy is starting to recover, so maybe it IS the best time.
A co-worker has extended some information about a possible temp company lead. Anything is better than nothing at this point. I need a life preserver tossed at me and fast. They will call on my behalf, which I am grateful for.
Just heard the door. T's coming with belated lunch. Although I can't taste anything, I do know I'm a bit hungry.
This is not how I envisioned my life to be. This is not what I wanted. In the pursuit of going after what I want I find myself poorer than ever.
Frustrating.
Relatives are not helping. They are financially strained themselves. My finances are at a standstill. Save for a couple of lowly checks, I've had zero income this month. T says I've grown beyond background work. Yes, that may be right, but so far nothing has opened up to claim the money spot. So I look backward, towards my old secretarial career, in hopes that some money will start to roll in. Yet in this economic climate, it seems I couldn't have picked a worse time. Yet the news says the economy is starting to recover, so maybe it IS the best time.
A co-worker has extended some information about a possible temp company lead. Anything is better than nothing at this point. I need a life preserver tossed at me and fast. They will call on my behalf, which I am grateful for.
Just heard the door. T's coming with belated lunch. Although I can't taste anything, I do know I'm a bit hungry.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Transportation Research -- initial research verdict, doesn't seem too bad
Okay, checked out the area that they gave as a 'general area' -- and it's a good 17 to 20 minute walk from the bus station to the arena. Although I don't see why, the bus stop should be a lot closer to the arena, but I'm figuring the shuttle won't be working unless there's a game going on.
I've only been to the Meadowlands Arena ONCE. I kinda know Jersey, but it's not like the back of my hand. At least I know I won't be too far from Manhattan.
Meanwhile my nose is leaking bad. This allergy or whatever got into me is just affecting my sensitive nose and making my body overreact. Probably mold. It keeps f-kin raining and it's disgusting. Eventually some mold or something had to get to me.
Trying to stay positive but I always hate being slowed down by something like this. Took vitamin C and some benadryl in hopes to alleviating the symptoms but it's not really working. I just try not to blow my nose as much as possible to get rid of as much as I can of whatever foreign bodies entered.
Tired. Been sleeping a lot. Depression's great like that.
I've only been to the Meadowlands Arena ONCE. I kinda know Jersey, but it's not like the back of my hand. At least I know I won't be too far from Manhattan.
Meanwhile my nose is leaking bad. This allergy or whatever got into me is just affecting my sensitive nose and making my body overreact. Probably mold. It keeps f-kin raining and it's disgusting. Eventually some mold or something had to get to me.
Trying to stay positive but I always hate being slowed down by something like this. Took vitamin C and some benadryl in hopes to alleviating the symptoms but it's not really working. I just try not to blow my nose as much as possible to get rid of as much as I can of whatever foreign bodies entered.
Tired. Been sleeping a lot. Depression's great like that.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Left a VM to acknowledge date changes
And left word that I will not be able to do Thursday but gave two alternate dates as I wasn't sure but the four dates mentioned sounded like they would just need me for one of those dates.
In any case, if it happens, it happens, I'm not going to stress it. I need a paying job and a regularly good paying one will do. What is it they call it? A McJob.
Sigh.
In any case, if it happens, it happens, I'm not going to stress it. I need a paying job and a regularly good paying one will do. What is it they call it? A McJob.
Sigh.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Update a reschedule on one of next week's gigs
Just checked my phone messages as I had my phone off as I was working.
Turns out the first gig dropped Monday - Wednesday after all, and want to push for Thursday, which I can't do. And for some sporadic days the following week.
I will call tomorrow as it's too late to call and find out what the story is and inform her that Thursday's a no-go.
Meanwhile, I had not put in for a certain gig because I thought I was booked for Monday and Tuesday. I put in anyway, even though it was rather late.
This sucks. We'll see what happens next.
Turns out the first gig dropped Monday - Wednesday after all, and want to push for Thursday, which I can't do. And for some sporadic days the following week.
I will call tomorrow as it's too late to call and find out what the story is and inform her that Thursday's a no-go.
Meanwhile, I had not put in for a certain gig because I thought I was booked for Monday and Tuesday. I put in anyway, even though it was rather late.
This sucks. We'll see what happens next.
Turning down a gig
Had to turn down a gig because it turns out they were shy (or really, in this case, remiss) on letting me know in advance if this was a paying gig. I cannot afford to work several days without pay. I volunteer enough hours at the two organizations I deal with and that's enough. I wrote a nice simple "thank you for this WONDERFUL opportunity but I must regretfully pass" number. They tout it like it's the next Scorcese flick when in reality a lot of these miniprojects never see the light of day.
I recall several weeks ago how one ad practically sneered, begging to be bombarded and shut down by tons of angry emails, about the acting being about art not about money. Hello? I think I wrote about this. Some production companies got their camera equipment by what, simply wishing? SOMEONE had to fork over dinero, my friend.
In any case, after asking about the project -- and finding out they had apparently misplaced my initial information -- I asked about whether this is a paid project -- and it took two days to get an answer. When they finally came back, the coy response was buried under all the information of "you got the gig! congratulations!" turns out, ZILCH.
There's no guarantee of whether this project will ever be seen, and I believe it was placed with the compensation listed as TBD. Either to be discussed or determined. Either way, it implies that some money is coming in some form in some way. Instead, it's a freebie they want and that I am "allowed" to use this for my reel.
yeah. I'll ask the other five people who said I'd get something for my reel where the hell my shit is. I'm still waiting, MONTHS later. And I'm not supposed to get upset about it or annoy them too much by checking in one too many times.
Shit. But at least I got paid for those other gigs. Imagine me chasing after these people for the film that probably no one will ever see? It was clear that they were just looking for people to come and fill up a club for some wannabe band. Yeah, another band. I'll pass, thanks.
Some will stoop so low to get club attendance.
Meanwhile, I'm supposed to get an update email from the fast talking casting coordinator -- it's supposedly scheduled for this coming Monday Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. A paid gig, thank goodness. Then another gig I have booked definite for Wednesday Thursday and Friday out in Jersey. It should be a full week. I'm also waiting on another gig which may outbounce the earlier gig by several hundred dollars. Whichever solidifies first with me is where I tend to go. I'm trying to get noticed by other casting agencies to drum up more work. So I'm feeling good.
I'll be running a couple of quick errands today. Did laundry yesterday. So overall, a productive leading up to the weekend.
I recall several weeks ago how one ad practically sneered, begging to be bombarded and shut down by tons of angry emails, about the acting being about art not about money. Hello? I think I wrote about this. Some production companies got their camera equipment by what, simply wishing? SOMEONE had to fork over dinero, my friend.
In any case, after asking about the project -- and finding out they had apparently misplaced my initial information -- I asked about whether this is a paid project -- and it took two days to get an answer. When they finally came back, the coy response was buried under all the information of "you got the gig! congratulations!" turns out, ZILCH.
There's no guarantee of whether this project will ever be seen, and I believe it was placed with the compensation listed as TBD. Either to be discussed or determined. Either way, it implies that some money is coming in some form in some way. Instead, it's a freebie they want and that I am "allowed" to use this for my reel.
yeah. I'll ask the other five people who said I'd get something for my reel where the hell my shit is. I'm still waiting, MONTHS later. And I'm not supposed to get upset about it or annoy them too much by checking in one too many times.
Shit. But at least I got paid for those other gigs. Imagine me chasing after these people for the film that probably no one will ever see? It was clear that they were just looking for people to come and fill up a club for some wannabe band. Yeah, another band. I'll pass, thanks.
Some will stoop so low to get club attendance.
Meanwhile, I'm supposed to get an update email from the fast talking casting coordinator -- it's supposedly scheduled for this coming Monday Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. A paid gig, thank goodness. Then another gig I have booked definite for Wednesday Thursday and Friday out in Jersey. It should be a full week. I'm also waiting on another gig which may outbounce the earlier gig by several hundred dollars. Whichever solidifies first with me is where I tend to go. I'm trying to get noticed by other casting agencies to drum up more work. So I'm feeling good.
I'll be running a couple of quick errands today. Did laundry yesterday. So overall, a productive leading up to the weekend.
Monday, August 3, 2009
OMG when it rains it pours
Got verification in the mail that I got a three day gig. A THREE DAY GIG. I am beside myself with joy and hope.
I'm awaiting a two day gig for tomorrow and Thursday and another for Thursday and Friday.
If I can fit in another gig this week for at least two days or three, that would be fantastic.
I'm awaiting a two day gig for tomorrow and Thursday and another for Thursday and Friday.
If I can fit in another gig this week for at least two days or three, that would be fantastic.
laughable ads
It's funny because I get to submit for ads for potential jobs whether it's for an office job or for acting work and both of them have their share of interesting wish lists on what they want or require.
What's even more funny is how outrageous either field can be in their ads.
Here's the latest from two of them. One is they want you to arrive already dressed for the scene. Unfortunately the scene is for burlesque, Moulin Rouge types. Imagine riding the train or bus with your full get up? Can't imagine already owning a can-can outfit, but some of us actors do have some costumes at our disposal....but riding with it already on you while going towards Brooklyn or through mid-town Manhattan? FUNNY. Where's the cameras for that awkwardness, IFC? You'd be missing some priceless once in a lifetime moments to capture for your quaint quirky little show.
And for some established show like this Z-Rock show that is already on air and has garnered notices, they are not looking to pay. Which is bad enough, but if they expect you to come basically 'camera ready' by wearing your costume already when you get to their set, then that tells me that they are just looking to embarrass some people who don't need the money to at least give one a reason to walk around in public a la burlesque or the 'more outlandish and flamboyant, the better" style. Or too cheap to assign a holding area so people can change, go to the bathroom, etc. So on top of everything else, I have to risk wearing full getup going to your little shindig by getting gawked at, getting harrassed or laughed at, or worse, get my ass kicked or pinched or grabbed at for you too, all for no pay? I didn't tell you the best part. Keep reading.
Here's the description so you'll see I'm not lying: "The stars of the IFC hit comedy television series Z-Rock is now casting for their video single "Painted Lady". Looking for men and women ages 18-40. Must be able to arrive on set already in costume. Women must resemble burlesque, vaudeville, Moulin Rouge and/or cabaret (much like the Lady Marmalade video and the movie Moulin Rouge): the more outlandish and flamboyant, the better. Men must resemble the same kind of look. Also casting for men in modern day power business suits, ala Wall Street."
So the women, we need them to dress up as whorey as possible and ride the trains and buses like that, but the men can come in their best business suits and will be unmolested. OMG, can you just hear the laughter in this comedy gem? Why do I envision women getting molested because, by gum, the old excuse, what is it? Oh yeah, it's because of 'the way they dress"? Gee. In this case names will not be blurred to protect the not so innocent.
Here's another hearty laugher, which is made worse by the poster trying to be cute about their no-paying gig. In the 'rate/compensation' area, here is what they write: "credit, copy hopefully, food, housing, barbecue, hopefully future pay, nice getaway to suburbs, meteor shower"
So....I get to watch a free cosmic shower that I could watch anywhere else on the Northeast coast as part of my compensation package? Hmmmm.... And housing? Does this mean I gotta stay overnight for a no-pay gig and be at your mercy, trapped? Or does this mean a holding area to stand in, in case it rains? Then you are not providing me with anything useful, just something you are supposed to provide so our shit doesn't get mauled or stolen while we work your act and whore out our talents to you for free. Meanwhile, it's "hopefully" on getting credit, and more importantly, on "future pay" is another "hopefully"? So there's no current pay either? How about, you are either paying me now or not? Simply write "we want talent to provide their services for free on our pet project" and THEN you'll see how many clamor to want that precious golden opportunity. You better believe if you don't offer people something other than a 'possible credit and lunch' you are outta luck.
Another keeps posting the same stupid ad, doesn't admit there is no compensation, writes "TBD". So you, Mr. or Ms. Sucker, you take time out of your day to write them and it turns out that there is no money, just a credit with IMDB (if that'll happen) and lunch, that kind of thing. No compensation for your transportation at least, nothing. Just a blurb about how you will be working on a project that has actress Eliza Dushku's brother in it. So? Will Eliza be there strutting around passing out $50 bills to everyone? Is her brother working for free AND handing out $50 bills to everyone because THEN we can talk. They make no mention in the ad if this Dushku is not getting paid. You could be Meryl Streep's half sister, I don't care. If you are not paying, then you tell me why I should bother to take up space in your pet project, especially if all I'm doing is adding color to the background and have no real lines or a part.
So that's that. I'm done with working background for no pay and no real incentives.
I draw the fucking line so deal with it, cheapies.
What's even more funny is how outrageous either field can be in their ads.
Here's the latest from two of them. One is they want you to arrive already dressed for the scene. Unfortunately the scene is for burlesque, Moulin Rouge types. Imagine riding the train or bus with your full get up? Can't imagine already owning a can-can outfit, but some of us actors do have some costumes at our disposal....but riding with it already on you while going towards Brooklyn or through mid-town Manhattan? FUNNY. Where's the cameras for that awkwardness, IFC? You'd be missing some priceless once in a lifetime moments to capture for your quaint quirky little show.
And for some established show like this Z-Rock show that is already on air and has garnered notices, they are not looking to pay. Which is bad enough, but if they expect you to come basically 'camera ready' by wearing your costume already when you get to their set, then that tells me that they are just looking to embarrass some people who don't need the money to at least give one a reason to walk around in public a la burlesque or the 'more outlandish and flamboyant, the better" style. Or too cheap to assign a holding area so people can change, go to the bathroom, etc. So on top of everything else, I have to risk wearing full getup going to your little shindig by getting gawked at, getting harrassed or laughed at, or worse, get my ass kicked or pinched or grabbed at for you too, all for no pay? I didn't tell you the best part. Keep reading.
Here's the description so you'll see I'm not lying: "The stars of the IFC hit comedy television series Z-Rock is now casting for their video single "Painted Lady". Looking for men and women ages 18-40. Must be able to arrive on set already in costume. Women must resemble burlesque, vaudeville, Moulin Rouge and/or cabaret (much like the Lady Marmalade video and the movie Moulin Rouge): the more outlandish and flamboyant, the better. Men must resemble the same kind of look. Also casting for men in modern day power business suits, ala Wall Street."
So the women, we need them to dress up as whorey as possible and ride the trains and buses like that, but the men can come in their best business suits and will be unmolested. OMG, can you just hear the laughter in this comedy gem? Why do I envision women getting molested because, by gum, the old excuse, what is it? Oh yeah, it's because of 'the way they dress"? Gee. In this case names will not be blurred to protect the not so innocent.
Here's another hearty laugher, which is made worse by the poster trying to be cute about their no-paying gig. In the 'rate/compensation' area, here is what they write: "credit, copy hopefully, food, housing, barbecue, hopefully future pay, nice getaway to suburbs, meteor shower"
So....I get to watch a free cosmic shower that I could watch anywhere else on the Northeast coast as part of my compensation package? Hmmmm.... And housing? Does this mean I gotta stay overnight for a no-pay gig and be at your mercy, trapped? Or does this mean a holding area to stand in, in case it rains? Then you are not providing me with anything useful, just something you are supposed to provide so our shit doesn't get mauled or stolen while we work your act and whore out our talents to you for free. Meanwhile, it's "hopefully" on getting credit, and more importantly, on "future pay" is another "hopefully"? So there's no current pay either? How about, you are either paying me now or not? Simply write "we want talent to provide their services for free on our pet project" and THEN you'll see how many clamor to want that precious golden opportunity. You better believe if you don't offer people something other than a 'possible credit and lunch' you are outta luck.
Another keeps posting the same stupid ad, doesn't admit there is no compensation, writes "TBD". So you, Mr. or Ms. Sucker, you take time out of your day to write them and it turns out that there is no money, just a credit with IMDB (if that'll happen) and lunch, that kind of thing. No compensation for your transportation at least, nothing. Just a blurb about how you will be working on a project that has actress Eliza Dushku's brother in it. So? Will Eliza be there strutting around passing out $50 bills to everyone? Is her brother working for free AND handing out $50 bills to everyone because THEN we can talk. They make no mention in the ad if this Dushku is not getting paid. You could be Meryl Streep's half sister, I don't care. If you are not paying, then you tell me why I should bother to take up space in your pet project, especially if all I'm doing is adding color to the background and have no real lines or a part.
So that's that. I'm done with working background for no pay and no real incentives.
I draw the fucking line so deal with it, cheapies.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Wondering
So the wait...it's going on 9 pm and I still have yet to hear from the casting assistant I spoke to on Friday about tomorrow's call time and shoot location information. She had noted that it would not be an early call when we spoke, and that's good news, but I still have not received an email, as she stated she would "send all the information" [when she got it].
Just went out to get dinner since cooking where I live is considered blasphemy as it's not my kitchen (another story told another time when I'm in a better place and frame of mind).
Picked up a baked ziti from the new place in the neighborhood and walked the dog. Tomorrow, I hope to put the growing flowing basil into a new pot. Must also remember to plant for marigolds. Haven't done that yet. This weather is not really conducive to grow flowers that need sun to flower. Another day of rain. AUGH.
Just went out to get dinner since cooking where I live is considered blasphemy as it's not my kitchen (another story told another time when I'm in a better place and frame of mind).
Picked up a baked ziti from the new place in the neighborhood and walked the dog. Tomorrow, I hope to put the growing flowing basil into a new pot. Must also remember to plant for marigolds. Haven't done that yet. This weather is not really conducive to grow flowers that need sun to flower. Another day of rain. AUGH.
Friday, July 31, 2009
And so we arrive at the last weekend of July
And one more month of this so-called Summer of 2009. I'm thinking that September and October are going to be simply gorgeous, we may even have what they call an Indian summer otherwise in January.
I'm still submitting for work, for a possible recurring gig for a new show taping in NYC. That would be something! I continue to look and beat the bushes for work.
I'm still submitting for work, for a possible recurring gig for a new show taping in NYC. That would be something! I continue to look and beat the bushes for work.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Got a call for a three-four day gig!
I am beside myself. The only thing, the person was talking really fast, and then the phone was going in and out so I had to ask them to repeat their story.
I will find out Sunday the further details, but they're filming in Brooklyn somewhere.
For the life of me though I can't recall which gig this is -- I've been submitting like mad.
I'm to play a teacher role. Let's see where this adventure takes me. :-)
I will find out Sunday the further details, but they're filming in Brooklyn somewhere.
For the life of me though I can't recall which gig this is -- I've been submitting like mad.
I'm to play a teacher role. Let's see where this adventure takes me. :-)
Open call
Open calls. I view them with mixed feelings. Firstly, it's a way to meet other actors, and make connections and possibly come across some interesting information. The other part of it, is the lines, the wait, the virtual feeling of a 'cattle call' -- lots of people who are tired, sleepy, hungry, thirsty, with affected and differing attention spans that cause the tired overworked casting assistants to repeated the same basic information. Lines of people waiting hours to get in and possibly drop off a headshot with a casting assistant in hopes of being called back for work.
I will have to remind myself to bring a bottle of water, something to read, my headphones, an umbrella to ward off the sun and bring something to sit on. What to wear without wilting or destroying my feet will be the other issue.
I'm hoping for a cool and a sunny day as well as my getting hired for this and many more work opportunities.
I will have to remind myself to bring a bottle of water, something to read, my headphones, an umbrella to ward off the sun and bring something to sit on. What to wear without wilting or destroying my feet will be the other issue.
I'm hoping for a cool and a sunny day as well as my getting hired for this and many more work opportunities.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Rules of acting
One of the rules people give you for your career is to only interact with those who are successful and positive in the career you are in. Winners only hang out with winners.
It's insidious and explains a lot. Why people tend to shun someone when they know they are out of a job or about to be let go. They don't want it 'catching'.
It's sick but it's a side that shows how ruthless any career can be, especially in the acting world where it's all about how you look and where you fit in -- and how much your work is based on the whim of a stranger whose eye you happen to catch. It's all timing and tenacity but another thing is politics.
I continue to rise above the interesting commentary being done by those who want to box themselves out because they got a couple of gigs in a row and immediately when they hear someone else gets a few too, they migrate to them and can't pat themselves on the back hard enough while also giving a compliment to the other! Actors are always about the self-promote but giving a compliment without shoving themselves in about their own progress would be sweet.
And the one I would probably marry. Which is why they say if you are an actor, you should never marry another actor. Just too much ego involved and no one wants to take the second seat or take turns with the front seat.
It's insidious and explains a lot. Why people tend to shun someone when they know they are out of a job or about to be let go. They don't want it 'catching'.
It's sick but it's a side that shows how ruthless any career can be, especially in the acting world where it's all about how you look and where you fit in -- and how much your work is based on the whim of a stranger whose eye you happen to catch. It's all timing and tenacity but another thing is politics.
I continue to rise above the interesting commentary being done by those who want to box themselves out because they got a couple of gigs in a row and immediately when they hear someone else gets a few too, they migrate to them and can't pat themselves on the back hard enough while also giving a compliment to the other! Actors are always about the self-promote but giving a compliment without shoving themselves in about their own progress would be sweet.
And the one I would probably marry. Which is why they say if you are an actor, you should never marry another actor. Just too much ego involved and no one wants to take the second seat or take turns with the front seat.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
have you gotten work lately?
A lot of people are feeling the pinch and for some it's no longer a pinch but a stabbing then debilitating ever present thing.
I have been luckier than others in finding work on my own but even then the work has decreased. For others who were lucky to find work they have been working on the same project for days at a time and knew they were going to have to work for several weeks on the project. Though they complain and have had to undergo hellish conditions, they have no choice as to doing this because they simply have nothing else going on.
In that respect, there's an actual sadness and relief. Wild, eh?
I continue to look as well as pursue office work. Being poor is not exactly an attractive thing when one is alone and even worse when you share that burden with others. Money causes many a tragic fight and situation.
I have been luckier than others in finding work on my own but even then the work has decreased. For others who were lucky to find work they have been working on the same project for days at a time and knew they were going to have to work for several weeks on the project. Though they complain and have had to undergo hellish conditions, they have no choice as to doing this because they simply have nothing else going on.
In that respect, there's an actual sadness and relief. Wild, eh?
I continue to look as well as pursue office work. Being poor is not exactly an attractive thing when one is alone and even worse when you share that burden with others. Money causes many a tragic fight and situation.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
I get to watch the sun rise two days in a row
I'm being told not to worry and I'm trying not to. The fact remains that background work is few and far between. I'm continuing to stay positive, and also develop a backup plan. Of course the people who know me understand that this is essentially not what I want to do, but I have to, if things continue as they are.
I need to get into a union and the money situation hasn't improved for me to even take this on let alone barely pay the rent. Every time I turn around some new expense has to be paid for, whether it's online submitting, stamps, envelopes, or Metrocards to get around town.
I wish that these prolific job posts that ask for 'talent' would at least supply a Metrocard along with food and water as part of the lure package to get background actors to work. It would definitely be an incentive, and wouldn't cost us a thing, but I guess they figure we should pay for the privilege of being 'onlooker' or 'pedestrian number three' passing in a scene.
Jeez. I know it's not brain science but it would be great for you to pay us for our time and effort of showing up for your gig somehow and more positively. Sheesh!
I need to get into a union and the money situation hasn't improved for me to even take this on let alone barely pay the rent. Every time I turn around some new expense has to be paid for, whether it's online submitting, stamps, envelopes, or Metrocards to get around town.
I wish that these prolific job posts that ask for 'talent' would at least supply a Metrocard along with food and water as part of the lure package to get background actors to work. It would definitely be an incentive, and wouldn't cost us a thing, but I guess they figure we should pay for the privilege of being 'onlooker' or 'pedestrian number three' passing in a scene.
Jeez. I know it's not brain science but it would be great for you to pay us for our time and effort of showing up for your gig somehow and more positively. Sheesh!
Monday, July 20, 2009
work work work
I continue to look for work but it's been slow going. I found some promising gigs and put in for them, and continue to think positively.
Meanwhile my energy levels are in the toilet. Don't know why. Meanwhile my gardening has been fantastic and I plan to plant more. Hopefully flowers this time, since the weather is warm enough to not bring a sudden frost.
This summer has been weird for sure weather-wise.
Meanwhile my energy levels are in the toilet. Don't know why. Meanwhile my gardening has been fantastic and I plan to plant more. Hopefully flowers this time, since the weather is warm enough to not bring a sudden frost.
This summer has been weird for sure weather-wise.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Ego
Monday is SVU. Tuesday and Wednesday Step Up 3D is making yet another request for people after stating several times that this past week would be the last week, asking for people's availability for the week and then cutting down the days and re-requesting. The downside? There was no mention made that they were looking for fresh talent under 25 that hadn't worked the project and they had been forced to re-use certain people over and over.
Some decided to take a positive spin on it and state that they were so busy and blessed to be working. Others decided to make it look like it was a chore and demeaning, yet they still worked the project. While still others claimed they got a day to work and decided on their own not to pursue any more days on the project, saying they "turned down" working more simply because of how tired they felt, like they have twenty other things going on to turn down this work -- when the simple truth was they were called for only one day of work.
Why the mislead? Ego.
Some ask if others have gotten work, and then state how busy they have been. Yet they show their own desperateness for work that they will pretty much do anything to just stand around melting in the heat. Then try to lord this over others!
I know I go back to this from time to time. It's a bit funny, a bit amusing and a little weird.
The question is, will I rise above it? I have no choice. I must.
Even in background work, where one doesn't have a line to say, there's still drama, jockeying and posing. Augh.
Some decided to take a positive spin on it and state that they were so busy and blessed to be working. Others decided to make it look like it was a chore and demeaning, yet they still worked the project. While still others claimed they got a day to work and decided on their own not to pursue any more days on the project, saying they "turned down" working more simply because of how tired they felt, like they have twenty other things going on to turn down this work -- when the simple truth was they were called for only one day of work.
Why the mislead? Ego.
Some ask if others have gotten work, and then state how busy they have been. Yet they show their own desperateness for work that they will pretty much do anything to just stand around melting in the heat. Then try to lord this over others!
I know I go back to this from time to time. It's a bit funny, a bit amusing and a little weird.
The question is, will I rise above it? I have no choice. I must.
Even in background work, where one doesn't have a line to say, there's still drama, jockeying and posing. Augh.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Been practicing for audition tomorrow
I'm feeling good. I'm going in, relaxed, with my business cute 1950's look and here's to $$$ in my pocket.
I'm going to take some time, get some fresh air, and look around for work. Time is just too short to be unhappy.
And no job is worth me falling faint after sixteen or 18 hours in wool in the middle of July.
No. fucking. way.
A line has to be drawn somewhere in the BG gig.
I'm going to take some time, get some fresh air, and look around for work. Time is just too short to be unhappy.
And no job is worth me falling faint after sixteen or 18 hours in wool in the middle of July.
No. fucking. way.
A line has to be drawn somewhere in the BG gig.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Got an email early this AM about the music vid gig
The email read about calling to confirm. Again? I had already confirmed and 'spoke' to the person casting yesterday evening. But I called anyway. Turns out, they can only pay the first 8 people who called back from reading the email from this morning. I took a second to let it sink in. I'm inwardly, whuuhh? The casting person hurriedly goes on to say they want the more the merrier who can come, and it may be likely someone of the first 8 may not show up, so I could still get paid. The casting person says this twice, as if saying it more than once is to convince one of us on this phone call.
I listened, took a beat, then waited to see what else they were offering. A metrocard for the travel trouble? Nothing. So I politely turned down this 'extraordinary opportunity' to people a video for some poser and kept it moving. Ridiculous. The bus and train fare just went up, folks, the least you can do if you don't want to pay is hand out Metrocards for people's trouble and time. Sheesh.
What gets me is the whole point of responding to their ad was that they were paying for two hours. It was $25.00 Then to pull this shit? Tacky. And unprofessional.
I listened, took a beat, then waited to see what else they were offering. A metrocard for the travel trouble? Nothing. So I politely turned down this 'extraordinary opportunity' to people a video for some poser and kept it moving. Ridiculous. The bus and train fare just went up, folks, the least you can do if you don't want to pay is hand out Metrocards for people's trouble and time. Sheesh.
What gets me is the whole point of responding to their ad was that they were paying for two hours. It was $25.00 Then to pull this shit? Tacky. And unprofessional.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
got another gig lined up
It's not in the vein of SVU, but it's something. It's a quick two to three hour gig, background for a music video. I can wear "whatever" I like, so this should be fun and relaxing.
Jeans and top coming up!
Meanwhile, I continue to submit online for work. Just trying to get those ducks lined up in a row. Tonight I watch Michael & Michael Have Issues on Comedy Central, as I did a segment for them and wonder if it'll show tonight or next week. The show should be surreal as well as comedic, a "show within a show" kind of thing, with segments.
Let's see how this goes.
Jeans and top coming up!
Meanwhile, I continue to submit online for work. Just trying to get those ducks lined up in a row. Tonight I watch Michael & Michael Have Issues on Comedy Central, as I did a segment for them and wonder if it'll show tonight or next week. The show should be surreal as well as comedic, a "show within a show" kind of thing, with segments.
Let's see how this goes.
Back to searching for work
On a trip taken a couple of months back, there was a discussion about a certain casting agency that was gaining the reputation of not following through with its background talent regarding its job postings. Some went so far as to say this casting agency had 'favorites' and would send around endless emails inquiring about one's availability but if you were not part of that favorite's list, you would ultimately be ignored no matter how many times you were contacted via email or how many times you would see them placing repetitive ads elsewhere.
Who were they looking for, when they had a talent roster to begin with and many interested people who wanted to take part of their latest project or gig?
One BG actor relayed the story about how they found this out the hard way. They had been contacted for a gig, and they went to the gig. They were turned away at the gig because they had been replaced by someone else -- someone who had gotten regular work from the agency prior. This BG knew about them, and had already had suspicions about the agency, and this only hit the proverbial nail on the head.
Another relayed the story of how word had trickled down to him about this agency's favoritism. He refused to believe it, and submitted for roles anyway. After several times submitting and not getting an answer, he started to believe that perhaps there was some truth in it when he noted some other actors were also confirming this information.
The biggest faux pas this agency does is send around a generalized open request, asking for ALL ethnicities, 18 to 80, and have full availability. You put in for this, because basically that includes everybody over the age of 18. Then the fun begins -- the agency doesn't advise what exactly they are looking for, is it 18 to 25, they would probably get better more concentrated bites. Instead, they put a generalized call, don't respond to anybody, and re-use the same people they called for on a prior gig. So whoever is in their most recent memory will be called upon, and everyone else just submits over and over again.
Some have since taken this agency's name off their system and have passed the word to "use with caution". Since then, more people have noticed that the agency obviously doesn't have much organization going on and apparently are into creating more work for themselves. I have gotten around this agency by simply showing up for their gigs and have since gotten hired as working as a freelance, meaning, I represent myself and myself only. Would you believe I've gotten a job because of this, and no thanks to this agency?
I even got a waiver. So I am of mind to avoid this agency altogether. I will start keeping a list of what projects this agency has to avoid them because it's clear they don't know what they are doing and are certainly not that organized. I would name them but at this point I am still collecting information about them and only until I am absolutely sure, will I publish their name here for all to see and avoid.
It's time to weed out the idiots, wannabes and unprofessionals once and for all.
Who were they looking for, when they had a talent roster to begin with and many interested people who wanted to take part of their latest project or gig?
One BG actor relayed the story about how they found this out the hard way. They had been contacted for a gig, and they went to the gig. They were turned away at the gig because they had been replaced by someone else -- someone who had gotten regular work from the agency prior. This BG knew about them, and had already had suspicions about the agency, and this only hit the proverbial nail on the head.
Another relayed the story of how word had trickled down to him about this agency's favoritism. He refused to believe it, and submitted for roles anyway. After several times submitting and not getting an answer, he started to believe that perhaps there was some truth in it when he noted some other actors were also confirming this information.
The biggest faux pas this agency does is send around a generalized open request, asking for ALL ethnicities, 18 to 80, and have full availability. You put in for this, because basically that includes everybody over the age of 18. Then the fun begins -- the agency doesn't advise what exactly they are looking for, is it 18 to 25, they would probably get better more concentrated bites. Instead, they put a generalized call, don't respond to anybody, and re-use the same people they called for on a prior gig. So whoever is in their most recent memory will be called upon, and everyone else just submits over and over again.
Some have since taken this agency's name off their system and have passed the word to "use with caution". Since then, more people have noticed that the agency obviously doesn't have much organization going on and apparently are into creating more work for themselves. I have gotten around this agency by simply showing up for their gigs and have since gotten hired as working as a freelance, meaning, I represent myself and myself only. Would you believe I've gotten a job because of this, and no thanks to this agency?
I even got a waiver. So I am of mind to avoid this agency altogether. I will start keeping a list of what projects this agency has to avoid them because it's clear they don't know what they are doing and are certainly not that organized. I would name them but at this point I am still collecting information about them and only until I am absolutely sure, will I publish their name here for all to see and avoid.
It's time to weed out the idiots, wannabes and unprofessionals once and for all.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Dating Game
Got a call to be a member of a studio audience for a re-make of The Dating Game. Paige Davis, cute perky host of Trading Spaces fame, is the host for this game show. She looked just as she does on television, and had a lovely sleeveless yellow dress. She looked toned and tanned and had her cute short hair cut and these amazing high heels, easily four or five inches high. She was a gracious funny host and thanked the audience several times for coming.
She managed to get through the taping of three separate segments of coupledom questionings and questionable answers wrapped in innuendo. Some good, some not so. The studio was small and filmed in the Rachael Ray studio, the ScreenGems studios over on the East side in Manhattan. It was surprising to find a studio there.
The studio was, of course, freezing. I had forgotten to bring a sweater or a shawl so I tried to think good warm thoughts while sitting next to a noticeably nervous man who kept laughing at inappropriate times and would just blurt out conversations he was having in his head to either me or the woman sitting on the other side of him.
"The sky is blue!" he would blurt, let's say.
Silence. Because neither of us women knew who he was talking to at that moment.
I would see he was looking at me, then I'd say, "Oh, yes." Nod, smile, go back watching the cameramen move about.
This would go on for four hours between takes.
I hadn't eaten in a few days because of a stomach virus, so it was my first official day outside the house and for several hours at that. As I stood on line waiting to get in to the studio, I noticed my phone had an alert -- someone had called. It was from a casting director regarding the re-shoot that supposedly wasn't to happen after all today.
Turns out it was going to and would I be available tonight? I called and said sure, and was advised that they hadn't gotten the final call from the production/director, but once they did, I would be contacted. I said is this the re-shoot, do I wear the same thing or bring something else and was told it would be the re-shoot after all. Ok.
Several hours went by. This was around 1:30 when I got the call. It was around 4 when I got buzzed by the casting person -- I couldn't pick up as they were filming so it went to voicemail. When we broke ten minutes later, I checked the voicemail -- I was being released because they hadn't gotten the final OK from the production. Great.
I had been asked to stay an extra hour and would get an extra $10 for it, so I was like, well, I have nothing else to do, why not? It would have been great to get two gigs in for one day, but hey, one is better than none.
So the Dating Game is essentially the same as the old one, a bachelor or bachelorette asks some silly questions to three people hidden behind a screen and we the audience and the people at home can see everyone.
"The sky is blue!" he would blurt, let's say.
Silence. Because neither of us women knew who he was talking to at that moment.
I would see he was looking at me, then I'd say, "Oh, yes." Nod, smile, go back watching the cameramen move about.
This would go on for four hours between takes.
I hadn't eaten in a few days because of a stomach virus, so it was my first official day outside the house and for several hours at that. As I stood on line waiting to get in to the studio, I noticed my phone had an alert -- someone had called. It was from a casting director regarding the re-shoot that supposedly wasn't to happen after all today.
Turns out it was going to and would I be available tonight? I called and said sure, and was advised that they hadn't gotten the final call from the production/director, but once they did, I would be contacted. I said is this the re-shoot, do I wear the same thing or bring something else and was told it would be the re-shoot after all. Ok.
Several hours went by. This was around 1:30 when I got the call. It was around 4 when I got buzzed by the casting person -- I couldn't pick up as they were filming so it went to voicemail. When we broke ten minutes later, I checked the voicemail -- I was being released because they hadn't gotten the final OK from the production. Great.
I had been asked to stay an extra hour and would get an extra $10 for it, so I was like, well, I have nothing else to do, why not? It would have been great to get two gigs in for one day, but hey, one is better than none.
So the Dating Game is essentially the same as the old one, a bachelor or bachelorette asks some silly questions to three people hidden behind a screen and we the audience and the people at home can see everyone.
update on reshoot
It was canned. Although I was number 12, I was advised that they were apparently trimming the number down. To what, only 3 extras? If it's a typical subway car, then it's going to be at least halfway full. I hid my disappointment and thanked the casting person anyway for contacting me.
At least I have another gig to look forward to. Being a studio audience participant. That should be fun-sies. I would've been even more disappointed if I had nothing lined up for tomorrow.
I'm just concerned about lining up gigs and generating money. Guess I'll do a quick scour of the castings before calling it a night.
At least I have another gig to look forward to. Being a studio audience participant. That should be fun-sies. I would've been even more disappointed if I had nothing lined up for tomorrow.
I'm just concerned about lining up gigs and generating money. Guess I'll do a quick scour of the castings before calling it a night.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Got called to do a re-shoot!
Luckily I casually kept track of what I wear on shoots, and this one I was able to automatically summon from memory due to the uniqueness of the shoot. I'd be wearing comfortable casual clothing, so I'm feeling good!
It may be another overnight shoot though, so it'll be interesting. Still, it'll be money to put towards the rent. Yayyyyy!!
So much for waiting for that four day gig nod. Moving on.
It may be another overnight shoot though, so it'll be interesting. Still, it'll be money to put towards the rent. Yayyyyy!!
So much for waiting for that four day gig nod. Moving on.
Ate something Saturday
And by Saturday night, I was not a happy camper. Stayed up half the night and only got an hour's sleep. I thought I'd be able to do my volunteer work on Sunday but at 8:30, I finally decided that I could not possibly stand for another four hours and chop veggies. Plus to have a virus around food? I didn't think so.
So I called in, apologized, feeling bad I was letting people down, the clients. I was told not to worry and to get better.
So I go back next week, stronger, better. :-)
Today had some toast. Watched Wendy Williams' Show, where Vanessa Williams was on, announcing today was the first day of filming Ugly Betty's fourth season -- in L.I.C.
I'm excited! So there's work for the summer!
So I called in, apologized, feeling bad I was letting people down, the clients. I was told not to worry and to get better.
So I go back next week, stronger, better. :-)
Today had some toast. Watched Wendy Williams' Show, where Vanessa Williams was on, announcing today was the first day of filming Ugly Betty's fourth season -- in L.I.C.
I'm excited! So there's work for the summer!
Friday, July 10, 2009
SVU
It was a night scene - this is where I stood, for the 'crime scene onlooker' gig I had for SVU.
This was the holding area.
Here is the group of us, getting ready to go to set.Sweet gig! In at 8 pm, shot scene several times, which involved the coroner carrying out what looked like a small baby or piece of a person in a small black body bag...with the 'hysterical blonde mom" being escorted out by a cop, apparently arrested, and I was one of the onlookers. The surprise was seeing an actor from Prison Break playing apparently a cop. Still with the buzz cut. He got acknowledgement from some onlookers who were non-background, cheering him on, which was funny. He smiled.
Meanwhile, lunch was at 10 - 10:30 -- not a walkaway but a hot meal of chicken, beef and fish, rice, baked potatoes and cheese ravioli, fresh salad and many fixings and some fantastic desserts along with water, tea and lemonade and then after 11 pm, some of us headed back to set. We were wrapped at midnight. I was able to take the bus back, pick up a celebratory salty chip bag, and headed home, unwinding for the night.
Meanwhile, lunch was at 10 - 10:30 -- not a walkaway but a hot meal of chicken, beef and fish, rice, baked potatoes and cheese ravioli, fresh salad and many fixings and some fantastic desserts along with water, tea and lemonade and then after 11 pm, some of us headed back to set. We were wrapped at midnight. I was able to take the bus back, pick up a celebratory salty chip bag, and headed home, unwinding for the night.
I am sooo excited!
I think I want to check out Julie & Julia.
Got a text from casting stating I had to change my outfit, so I'm OK with that. As usual, dressing as an office drone. *LOL* Well, it should be exciting!
The basil continues to grow nicely in the window, I'm thrilled. It reflects the lushness and positivity and growth and health and abundance I'm seeking.
Ahhhhhhhhh....indeed, when it rains, it pours!
Got a text from casting stating I had to change my outfit, so I'm OK with that. As usual, dressing as an office drone. *LOL* Well, it should be exciting!
The basil continues to grow nicely in the window, I'm thrilled. It reflects the lushness and positivity and growth and health and abundance I'm seeking.
Ahhhhhhhhh....indeed, when it rains, it pours!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
checking for call time
As advised by the casting agent, I called after 10 (10:30) and heard the taped voicemessage saying to call back after midnight or sometime around 6 am. Since I tend to stay up late anyway, I figured waiting til after midnight was a no-brainer.
About a half hour after midnight, I called, the message hadn't changed. So I will give it another hour before setting the alarm for 7 am to hear whatever call time information is finally updated.
Ah! Part of the life of a background actor. :-)
Been seeing initial castings for stand-ins for a book that's being turned into a movie, Eat Pray Love, I believe. And the actress attached? Julia Roberts. I don't know what to say. I have yet to read the book although I've been wanting to for more than a year. Keep getting distracted with life, I guess. Gotta check it out of the library and read it.
About a half hour after midnight, I called, the message hadn't changed. So I will give it another hour before setting the alarm for 7 am to hear whatever call time information is finally updated.
Ah! Part of the life of a background actor. :-)
Been seeing initial castings for stand-ins for a book that's being turned into a movie, Eat Pray Love, I believe. And the actress attached? Julia Roberts. I don't know what to say. I have yet to read the book although I've been wanting to for more than a year. Keep getting distracted with life, I guess. Gotta check it out of the library and read it.
Huzzah!
Just got called for a gig on Law & Order SVU. I play an onlooker at a crime scene. No lines, just background. woo-hoo-ee!
Have to pass on another audition but have two on Saturday, one of which is an open call.
Am waiting to hear on the Hellman's Commercial audition.
Busy week for me. :-)
A strange thing occurred the other day -- the usual "who's available tomorrow" casting was sent out by Central, stating something new with it, that one had to be in good standing with ALL PRODUCTION and Central. I found that intriguing -- and wrote back stating yes, I am available and how could I find out what my standing was? Is it in a database one could view?
I didn't get a response, and I know it's most likely a general shoutout from them to all of us BG'ers, but it was still a bit unnerving. Like, really, how do we find out for sure? There can be so many factors -- a junior PA may decide not to like you, or you sucked in your teeth as force of habit and someone took it as a disrespect, or you were somehow looking at someone funny, I mean, I don't know, short of telling off a PA I don't see how one can get kicked off. I've never done any of those things, so I am assuring myself I am safe. But honestly, is it a scare tactic? Aren't they electronically sophisticated enough to bar those from their submission system and send them a notation that they are no longer part of the casting system?
I guess maybe they don't to avoid getting sued, but honestly, they let you know from the beginning that if anything goes wrong, they have the right to bar you for life from being in their casting pool. So I just want to make sure, since the factors and variables can be so great and so little, that I'm not wasting anybody's time by submitting for BG roles through them. As far as I can tell, I'm still in their system and getting alerts, so I think I'm good.
Have to pass on another audition but have two on Saturday, one of which is an open call.
Am waiting to hear on the Hellman's Commercial audition.
Busy week for me. :-)
A strange thing occurred the other day -- the usual "who's available tomorrow" casting was sent out by Central, stating something new with it, that one had to be in good standing with ALL PRODUCTION and Central. I found that intriguing -- and wrote back stating yes, I am available and how could I find out what my standing was? Is it in a database one could view?
I didn't get a response, and I know it's most likely a general shoutout from them to all of us BG'ers, but it was still a bit unnerving. Like, really, how do we find out for sure? There can be so many factors -- a junior PA may decide not to like you, or you sucked in your teeth as force of habit and someone took it as a disrespect, or you were somehow looking at someone funny, I mean, I don't know, short of telling off a PA I don't see how one can get kicked off. I've never done any of those things, so I am assuring myself I am safe. But honestly, is it a scare tactic? Aren't they electronically sophisticated enough to bar those from their submission system and send them a notation that they are no longer part of the casting system?
I guess maybe they don't to avoid getting sued, but honestly, they let you know from the beginning that if anything goes wrong, they have the right to bar you for life from being in their casting pool. So I just want to make sure, since the factors and variables can be so great and so little, that I'm not wasting anybody's time by submitting for BG roles through them. As far as I can tell, I'm still in their system and getting alerts, so I think I'm good.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
have auditions coming up. whoa!
I'm looking at several auditions this week. Somewhere someone in Queens is holding a $100 million lottery ticket. Lucky them.
Today I placated myself with a Mister Softee ice cream cone (vanilla with rainbow sprinkles). What's the point of exercising if I can't indulge once in a while.
Today I placated myself with a Mister Softee ice cream cone (vanilla with rainbow sprinkles). What's the point of exercising if I can't indulge once in a while.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Freebies
Lately I've been seeing a ton of free gigs (read: non-paying) and that one will get a copy of the film and get fed, whatever that means (could be chips and water, sandwiches, snacks, or a real hot meal).
Non-union does not mean free. I'm seeing these postings on paid sites -- sites that I pay a monthly fee in order to have the privilege of accessing and submitting electronically for gigs. Why the f-c-k would I submit on a paid site to a non-paying gig that 99.9 percent of the time will lead NOwhere nor build up my resume anyway?
I'm wondering if I should advise these paid sites that wasting my membership fee by having to scroll down the growing longer every week list of freebie gigs is not adding up to making this monthly payment a viable investment. Nonpaying gigs do not pay my rent either, buddy.
Some of the ads are mildly defensive. I recall one saying that no one else is getting paid and that included the production crew, which I found completely hard to believe. Who the h-e-ll works for free unless they are getting something out of it? Then another ad memorably read something along the lines they are looking for Artists, not people looking to make a dollar. Um, hello? You think the landlord will appreciate my artistry when I explain I can't pay the rent? Um, sure, yeah, right.
It IS a business, and just as the writer, producer and director are dreaming for it to lead to bigger better things for themselves, why can't I dream and pursue the same? Idiots.
Speaking of freebies, here's the latest insult coming from an office that specializes in dealing with only extras -- why they would forward this to me I have no idea but apparently whoever sent it was high on crack. This link is for people who just want to have fun but not necessarily get paid. But hey, you never know. You just might be in the right place at the right time and....presto! You could be a star!
http://www.beinamovie.com/
Non-union does not mean free. I'm seeing these postings on paid sites -- sites that I pay a monthly fee in order to have the privilege of accessing and submitting electronically for gigs. Why the f-c-k would I submit on a paid site to a non-paying gig that 99.9 percent of the time will lead NOwhere nor build up my resume anyway?
I'm wondering if I should advise these paid sites that wasting my membership fee by having to scroll down the growing longer every week list of freebie gigs is not adding up to making this monthly payment a viable investment. Nonpaying gigs do not pay my rent either, buddy.
Some of the ads are mildly defensive. I recall one saying that no one else is getting paid and that included the production crew, which I found completely hard to believe. Who the h-e-ll works for free unless they are getting something out of it? Then another ad memorably read something along the lines they are looking for Artists, not people looking to make a dollar. Um, hello? You think the landlord will appreciate my artistry when I explain I can't pay the rent? Um, sure, yeah, right.
It IS a business, and just as the writer, producer and director are dreaming for it to lead to bigger better things for themselves, why can't I dream and pursue the same? Idiots.
Speaking of freebies, here's the latest insult coming from an office that specializes in dealing with only extras -- why they would forward this to me I have no idea but apparently whoever sent it was high on crack. This link is for people who just want to have fun but not necessarily get paid. But hey, you never know. You just might be in the right place at the right time and....presto! You could be a star!
http://www.beinamovie.com/
Monday, July 6, 2009
looking for work
Lately there have been three and four day gigs being listed for projects, both television and film, and I've been dutifully reporting in saying that I'm available for all the dates. There are multiple dates coming in for work to do simple things like promotions work, and again, I've dutifully put in for these as well. I'm trying to get gigs lined up between now and September. I've also checked out office gigs and so far I've heard nothing. I'm not sure what's going on but the fake ads from employment agencies seem to be jumping once again.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Facing July 4 weekend as quiet
The sun peeked out today. I ran some errands, picked up some new detergent and bleach as I did a ton of laundry the other day. Nothing like clean sheets and underwear. Hmmm-mmmm!
The basil, sage and lavender are growing quite nicely. With this wet cool summer, it took a while for the seedlings to grow which had me worried.
Got contacted by some more actors who asked what I was up to as they have found work to be scarce. I consider myself lucky to average a gig a week, but it hasn't been easy. A lot of submitting to roles electronically and over the phone, and then the waiting begins as I move on to look for the next project. My cousin tells me not to worry because I tend to have the 'when it rains it pours' thing happening. I will go without work for a few days, then boom, a bunch of gigs will come in practically overlapping each other. I nod in agreement and look to the skies. *LOL*
A prospective gig called me yesterday to say I didn't attach my pic could I send it, which I did as I had them on the phone. Don't know if I'll get it -- moving on. Got a check today that had been opened. Not a "missed sealing the glue" kind of opened, I mean, opened with a letter opener when they couldn't glimpse by poking a hole through the clear bubble window then taped the bottom leaving a fingerprint. Hmmm.
Wonder if I'll go take pics of fireworks or I should just enjoy watching a Gordon Ramsey marathon.
The basil, sage and lavender are growing quite nicely. With this wet cool summer, it took a while for the seedlings to grow which had me worried.
Got contacted by some more actors who asked what I was up to as they have found work to be scarce. I consider myself lucky to average a gig a week, but it hasn't been easy. A lot of submitting to roles electronically and over the phone, and then the waiting begins as I move on to look for the next project. My cousin tells me not to worry because I tend to have the 'when it rains it pours' thing happening. I will go without work for a few days, then boom, a bunch of gigs will come in practically overlapping each other. I nod in agreement and look to the skies. *LOL*
A prospective gig called me yesterday to say I didn't attach my pic could I send it, which I did as I had them on the phone. Don't know if I'll get it -- moving on. Got a check today that had been opened. Not a "missed sealing the glue" kind of opened, I mean, opened with a letter opener when they couldn't glimpse by poking a hole through the clear bubble window then taped the bottom leaving a fingerprint. Hmmm.
Wonder if I'll go take pics of fireworks or I should just enjoy watching a Gordon Ramsey marathon.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Boy Wonder
Found myself reporting to a church for an overnight gig. It was 7:30, and had started raining. I wore my business casual outfit, a simple grey pinstriped skirt and black small polkadotted french collared long sleeved top, nylons, simple silver earrings and black flats.
I carried a small black tote that held two changes of clothing - a simple brown wrap dress and blue jeans and top. I figured I could wear the black flats with either outfit and that's it.
When I got there, they already had a food setup and it was hot food, which was a delightful surprise. We were hardly there a half hour when they told us we could go eat. They even had dessert! But I abstained from the dessert.
The whole scene was about a kid who loses his parents to a violent crime and he goes on a revenge thing to get those who hurt his family. Reminded me of Batman.
In any case, we were filming in a train station -- a section of the Grand Central using the Shuttle train. We filmed as the train moved, and all I had to do with a couple of other background actors, was react as people rushed past us into another car as the train moved.
After about five takes, we were done, and we were ushered back upstairs. The challenge was staying awake after we had 'lunch' at 1 am. By 5, one of the women had a kid emergency so I got signed out with her as we shared the same scene together and thus I wouldn't be used again.
I gathered my stuff, got paid, and headed towards Grand Central to catch my train. The sky was starting to lighten. By the time I got to my house, the sun was out. I passed a fruit stand and picked up some fresh bananas. I ended up having a brief chat with my building security before calling it a 'night' and headed upstairs. I checked my email and then finally went to sleep.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
work work work
I'm on standby for one movie and put in my availability for two things this week along with my availability for Monday. This is going to be an interesting and busy week. Heard that some people are also waiting. I've put in a reminder to ask about status, so hopefully things will come up roses.
The weather has improved, so I'm looking for more than one gig to get done this week in order to justify my existence.
Funny news: I had been checking out office jobs, and the ad did not state how to send my resume, so I asked for clarification, then got a email response back which totally violated every single rule that one is to ask a prospective employee: their age, their marital status, how many children they have, and what their current and future education plans are.
So I wrote back I'm over 21 and have the federal I.D. to prove I can work in the U.S. -- and how was my marital status and how many children relevant to doing the actual job? I showed my cousin and was advised that I most likely will not get a response back. It's too bad in this day and age that an employer feels that they have a right to ask such questions.
The weather has improved, so I'm looking for more than one gig to get done this week in order to justify my existence.
Funny news: I had been checking out office jobs, and the ad did not state how to send my resume, so I asked for clarification, then got a email response back which totally violated every single rule that one is to ask a prospective employee: their age, their marital status, how many children they have, and what their current and future education plans are.
So I wrote back I'm over 21 and have the federal I.D. to prove I can work in the U.S. -- and how was my marital status and how many children relevant to doing the actual job? I showed my cousin and was advised that I most likely will not get a response back. It's too bad in this day and age that an employer feels that they have a right to ask such questions.
Friday, June 26, 2009
got a gig for tonite!
Awesome -- and getting ready for it. As I type this, I've already bathed, shampooed, shaved, plucked and gotten dressed. I've picked out my two outfits to bring (wear one bring one were the instructions for 'casual' and 'business casual'). I have no idea what else to wear, so I pulled out a simple grey business skirt with my 'french' black long sleeved top and will wear a short grey jacket and black flats to complement it for a 'business casual' look. It's a 'spring into summer' look, but if it's situated in NYC, then black and grey are still the standard.
I also threw in a pair of my favorite jeans, a light top (not white, but has a delicate print) along with the black flats and that's it for the 'casual look'.
We film later on tonight -- I wonder if it'll go into morning. I have to check what I replied to, as I was told I was found on a casting site and they 'checked me out' there, supposedly. I vaguely recall submitting for the project, but had no idea that an agency was the one that apparently placed the ad. I had half a mind to cancel, but I had nothing going on at the moment, and I figure I'll just observe and see what happens this time around. I had heard some not so nice things about this agency, so I know I'm taking a huge chance doing this.
Meanwhile, I'm still hunting for a full time job so I can pay my bills and get out of the living situation I am in. It's time for a change. I am wondering if a roommate situation is the way to go, but we'll see. Until my financial situation stabilizes, I can't go anywhere.
I also threw in a pair of my favorite jeans, a light top (not white, but has a delicate print) along with the black flats and that's it for the 'casual look'.
We film later on tonight -- I wonder if it'll go into morning. I have to check what I replied to, as I was told I was found on a casting site and they 'checked me out' there, supposedly. I vaguely recall submitting for the project, but had no idea that an agency was the one that apparently placed the ad. I had half a mind to cancel, but I had nothing going on at the moment, and I figure I'll just observe and see what happens this time around. I had heard some not so nice things about this agency, so I know I'm taking a huge chance doing this.
Meanwhile, I'm still hunting for a full time job so I can pay my bills and get out of the living situation I am in. It's time for a change. I am wondering if a roommate situation is the way to go, but we'll see. Until my financial situation stabilizes, I can't go anywhere.
Monday, June 22, 2009
the sun peeks out for the first time in days
I'm rejoicing. Things seem to be lighting up.
Made tea for T so T can relax -- the arthritis T has been kicking T's butt because of this weird weather.
I'm going to throw on a simple dress before heading out to work on my friend's political campaign. I want to be comfortable yet presentable.
So far communication is quiet. I wonder what's going on. I've submitted for some gigs in the meantime and look to getting something for tomorrow. Need to bring in $.
Summer Solstice kicked in -- this morning on the news they had some kind of yoga thing happening at Times Square to celebrate.
Made tea for T so T can relax -- the arthritis T has been kicking T's butt because of this weird weather.
I'm going to throw on a simple dress before heading out to work on my friend's political campaign. I want to be comfortable yet presentable.
So far communication is quiet. I wonder what's going on. I've submitted for some gigs in the meantime and look to getting something for tomorrow. Need to bring in $.
Summer Solstice kicked in -- this morning on the news they had some kind of yoga thing happening at Times Square to celebrate.
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