mysterious

Just got off the phone with a casting company -- they are hiring me direct. I had been submitted and was rejected for some reason, now I know why. I was already on their radar and they were going to hire me direct. Either that or someone put in a good word for me. So strange how these things work. Have my check in number and called in to let them know I confirmed.

It's one day -- and possibly two. I am praying I am featured well. I went through my closet and almost broke my toe trying to find the right outfits. I just checked my email and found a possible new gig, and put in for that. I'm crossing my fingers for that.

After finding the right pieces, I packed my bag and took a shower. I feel a little lighter. I am still packing up some final pieces and then I'm good to go.

Sent an email to a fellow BG actor who had inquired if I was working, and was happy to report that I would be. Amazed that I got that call out of the blue. Very thankful.

computer glitches galore

I think this is a sign someone or something's looking out for me. Got word that a certain gig was not what it was advertised to be, and luckily I hadn't gone to it. Today was pretty -- I went out and enjoyed the day. I haven't heard from anyone except for my agent who sent me word that apparently I'm 1) too young looking and 2) not modelesque in order to play an older, or more modelesque Eastern European. A fellow BG actor texted if I had gotten the OK for this and I texted back no. Maybe they're working it. Lately I've noticed casting has been looking for older looking actors and I have a bit of a baby face, which isn't a bad thing necessarily, but it's not baby enough for high school/college look! Just young mom or something on that level.

Disappointed, I noted that quite a few people have been working some gigs, and I've been out of the loop. It's times like this that make me wonder what's coming up for me. I'm happy for my fellow BG'ers, but I like to work too.

Now on to the next topic -- trying to deal with an antiquated computer until my computer gets updated -- AUGHHHH!!! It's amazing how reliant one can quickly get on a computer, especially when trying to put in for work. Just trying to stay positive here. I also have to be patient.

Technical glitches

My computer died....turns out the hard drive needs to be replaced. Okey-doke. Of course, I'm thankful that I've been dutifully paying every month each installment on my card, so I was able to order a 'new' (read refurbished) drive that'll come in a couple of days.

Now to find the money to make up for this latest expense.

Speaking of which...

Went to an audition today. It was pretty interesting. I had to improv with another actor, which was fun, except that the guy was clueless on direction. He was told by the director that he had to play the gullible goof that gets 'talked' into offing his roommate by his roommate's girlfriend who is scheming to get her hands on her boyfriend's money. He totally flipped it and made it that he already knew the deal and was like, okay, we gotta figure out a way to get this guy's money.

So that kind of crashed and burned. The second scenario was me playing the cop and him being the junkie who found a gun but ended up selling it for dope but is telling me he 'forgot' where the gun is. So I have to interrogate him. That went a LOT better.

So I think, believe it or not, that the guy will be called back. What was interesting was what came up because of it. The guy had ... some body issues. Odor, exactly. How do you work with someone who obviously needs some cleaning up and some good oral hygiene to boot?

I wonder how other actors deal with someone who isn't at their 'freshest' or 'best'. How do they get around it or how do they work with it. My choice was to ignore it and get through the audition/improv session. It was about ten minutes long. Then we were done, we shook the director's hand, and we went out the door to get our pictures taken and sign off on a release form. The office was pleasant enough to look at, looked like a converted space from a former apartment. Outside these buildings the midtown west have a lot of character but inside they are destroyed by lots of those fake walls. I thought, this stairwell could have been replaced with something nicer and more in character with the building and the fake walls could have been just...painted something dark because it just did not reflect its outer packaging. Am I making sense? Drywall, yes.

In any case, I got to drop off my headshot to both the director and the director's partner, and I didn't have to memorize a monologue which was nice. I also didn't have to deal with an early morning call at the crack of you gotta be kidding me because I had come back from out of town and was not going to make an early morning call for anybody.

I had to cancel another gig simply because I couldn't make it back for a 5:30 call, and I'm not regretting the decision. Sometimes a girl's gotta do what she's gotta do.

What was interesting was after the audition, I was feeling good, light. Enjoying the walk in the sun back towards the train station. And a man, a Hasidic older man, walked by me and greeted me good morning. I smiled and said good morning. Beautiful day, he said. I agreed. We talked a little bit as we headed down the avenue. We parted at Times Square and we say good day to each other. It was a pleasant, lovely little New York moment. That's why I love New York.

Lovely warm day. My little container herbal garden is already sprouting seedlings of sage, lemon, sweet and thai basil, and lavender. Not bad.

Got a headsup for a potential two day gig. Psyched!

Actors - when to help when not to...?

I've been scolded for being too generous and too nice to help a fellow actor who apparently wanted me to provide them MORE information on casting calls.

While I'm all for helping an actor out on occasion, the tough call comes from having to separate those who truly are looking for help from those who are looking for a handout and won't help themselves or, worse, not provide any real helpful information in return.

While I can find information on my own, it wouldn't hurt to get another avenue of information!

So if I see something that might appeal to another actor, I forward it on. If there's something I know I could be in competition for with another actor, I send it forward anyway. This is what drives my friends bonkers. They think I'm being too generous and that I get very little back for it.

A part of me wants to do the right thing and not expect anything. That good things will come to me in due time and that spreading the riches, well, there's nothing wrong with that.

But do others do the same for me? Not really. I've had some who knowingly sent me a shitty gig that they obviously did not want ($20.00 for a ten hour gig, I don't think so) while I've sent some gigs that paid much better that they didn't even know about! For those I get a 'thank you' and that's about it. And some think that by sending the same information out that our mutual friend just sent to me five minutes before is somehow helpful when it's not.

Until this point, I don't even try to think about it. Why? Thinking about it, I fear I may end up resenting this good thing I do and stop doing it. I don't want to 'hate' on fellow actors, and it's not just about the acting. This is about something bigger. This is about every aspect of my life, where generosity is viewed as a weakness and something to take advantage of and not supported or encouraged.

Since when is generosity a sign of stupidity or being slow? I guess it got lost after the Sesame Street years for some.

I have honed on particulars as to when I will send information but I will stop answering further questions beyond that. This is free information that one should be careful not to push or stomp on with their thoughtless actions. This is why people start charging money for this kind of thing because it's a SERVICE.

One actor kept harassing me for questions on how to find something on line, then who is casting it, then, is there a phone number -- for a casting call that I sent on to them. It was not information I had but more about this person wanting information they were too lazy to inquire to the casting person directly themselves. My God, a simple Google search would've worked wonders for these people. They use computers to write me! And they come from all ages, all walks of life.

Yet, they wanted me to answer this. I gently reminded them to respond to the call. I did not have a number but they assumed I did and wanted it. Now, if I had the number, was I under some obligation to give it?

Maybe I'm putting too much thought into this. As my friend tells me, I'm not a casting director, and I could find better uses for my time instead of passing information on. All I keep thinking is, I would want someone to give me a headsup on what is an aspect of my career. That's what the stupid networking is all about. If I am networking with a bunch of people who don't want to return the favor, then why even bother networking since I'll never hear about anything good?

there was a mixup...?

Last location was not exactly the place for the last Casting Director visit for today. Showed the address and asked around, and ended up at some bar. That no one there knew about the casting there, either.

So I sent an email asking for a re-schedule. There were these two Sex and the City wannabe's looking furtively in my direction. Then they disappeared. I thought it was odd that the bartender advised me to take the backstairs. For what? To go straight into the restaurant downstairs. Were they trying to pick me up or trying to contain their laughter? Let's see what happens.

go-sees and auditions

Today I had to audition...NERVE wracking! I tossed and turned all night but still managed to get up when I heard the alarm go off. Minor snafu aside, I managed to make it out the door and get to the audition on time. Actually, I was told I was the only one who arrived early or on time, everyone else had been delayed due to 'some train' situation. I wonder if that would work in my favor?

For this audition, I was sent the script ahead of time by the casting director and I went over it. Luckily it wasn't too complicated. I played a mom who was trying to cover up her hand pain from her children and her husband quietly hands her the phone and tells her to 'make the call' to get help for her pain.

It went well. Have no idea if I'll get it but was asked about my availability for next month.

The next one I winged it on the spanish. The line was there but my accent was not. Too New Yawk-y. Plus they wanted an Argentinian accent which I am clueless on.

But I had fun. I did the next role in English, playing a young mom hoping to contact her hubby overseas in Germany if she had better phone service.

Don't know if I got that part -- but what was interesting was the woman who brought me in and out insisted on carrying my jacket and pocketbook, which I am so unused to! The other lady that was there had worked with her before and advised while we were in the waiting area that she is very nice and rare in that she'll even bring you water or ask if you need to use the restroom, she's very helpful and kind.

I was #13 -- lucky 13, I wonder!

I couldn't help but notice on the sign in sheet that a lot of people came in through certain agencies that don't enjoy a good reputation, at least not on professional sites like Backstage. I said nothing. I think I was the only one at the time that didn't come in through an agency.

Today there was an open casting call for an agency I've registered with several months back. I have been to several open calls, and there is a reason they call them 'cattle calls'. It's usually massive, long lines, a lot of waiting time, and very little one on one time with the casting people. I thought about going while going to the second job, but remembered I had more calls to go on and had to squeeze in as many as I could in one day while I still had money on the metrocard.

While running from audition to go-see, I took a picture with my cell phone of some pretty pink almost carnation-like flowers. How I love Spring!

Go-see today

Yep, those are a lot of anxious fun. Today was for a potential pharmaceutical gig. I go in, say hi, fill out the one page application, attach my headshot (wrote my email and phone on it in case they decide to contact me) and the photog took about five to seven shots of me and that was it. I put my jacket back on along with my hat (it was raining on and off today) and making sure I had my purse and phone, asked when a decision would be made, and was told by the end of the week -- assuming next week, since I wasn't sure if I heard right...besides, would a decision turnaround happen in two days? Hmmm.

There was only one other person there today so there was no waiting time, I pretty much was in and out within five minutes. OK. We'll see what happens. Moving on...

Watching Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Food show

As I type this. And, as typical of me, I'm a little anxious. Because I have upcoming auditions. And of course, this means the butterflies and trying to distract myself from overthinking things.

I actually applied to one gig not even thinking I had a chance, but surprisingly, I got contacted, so I'm pretty psyched about that. Guess when I think I got it all figured out, I don't. What goes on in the minds of a Casting Director or Company?

Meanwhile, background work has been noticably silent -- considering that the weather hasn't been all that great, I haven't exactly been sobbing myself to sleep every night over it. I know that good things will come.

I've given my availability to several casting agencies, so now it's continue to look for potential gigs, and continue to plan and develop where I can.

Sigh. Taking a deep breath. It's all good. Going to try to relax and sleep now. If not, I'll just put something on that'll lull me to sleep...

Interesting teaser on Access Hollywood

About Elmo turning 'green' to sell his latest DVD.

Anyone remember Oscar the Grouch? Who sang "I love trash?" He embraced it and was recycling WAYYYYYY before everyone jumped on the GO GREEN bandwagon.

Gotta love Oscar. No wonder he was always so grouchy -- he was way ahead of his time and the rest of us were too slow.

April showers bring May flowers

I thought I would go out today, maybe take a nice long walk with my dog and take pictures. What a switch from this weekend! I'm feeling lazy and just checking emails, submitting where I can. It's been slim pickings with repeat posts for gig submissions. Don't know what's going on and whether these people are even bothering to read the submissions or are simply not getting them. Since I'm paying for these online services, I wonder if I should send an inquiry to the sites asking if there's been any recent glitch going on that I'm seeing the same posts over and over with no response back when I submit.

Oh well. It just could be just a slow week coming. Sigh.

indulging and doing my part for the economy

Maybe it was the weather. Maybe it was because I've been working on a steady rhythm with gigs. Combination? I don't know. I had been staring at a dress in a clothing store I pass almost every day from the train station going home. After several months of this dress teasing me from the window, I went in and decided to try it on. Mind you, I don't like trying on clothes in stores, simply out of modesty...and you always hear about these hidden cameras.

Yet try it on I did. And it looked so pretty on me. I admit I got a little giddy. And went to purchase the dress in two colors. Then I saw this beautiful vision of another dress hanging on a rack above my head across the store, and immediately went "oooohhhh!" I tried it on and it fit perfectly.

I suddenly found myself checking their layaway policy and putting down a sizable amount for the three dresses. I didn't want to think, I viewed them as a necessary part of my acting wardrobe if need be, and walked out of the store clutching my receipt, a bit emptier in the wallet and no dresses to show of.

"That's the first time I put a chunk of money down and came out with nothing," I whispered, half-choking, as T and I exited the store and into the sunshine of a pretty spring day. "You deserve it," T said, "You could have just bought one dress if you wanted that though!" I wondered if I had done the right thing, and T dragged me from the store, saying that I had done just fine, no worries.

And I floated to the next shop, still thinking about how I ended up putting money down for not one or two but three dresses. Wasn't that a bit extravagant?

Could buying such dresses mean a sign of hope for me? Well, it was done.

******************************

Have been hunting for gigs and calling places, checking in, letting casting directors know I'm available, alive and well, ready to work. Kept checking for auditions.

Happy Tax Day!

Well, this morning found me up early working on my amended tax return. Got a W-2 sent to me late -- after I already filed in February! Then the state and city decided to send back my return informing me they are no longer doing my form for me, despite my signoff on it allowing them to, I would have to do my OWN taxes! WHUH?! How dare they!

So I recalculated and pulled out the booklets and went line by line. A lot of it didn't make sense to me, the whole computation thing, so I did my best, and wrote on the form, "Don't know if this is completely correct but I did my best" and signed it, attached the tardy W-2 and then worked on the amended 1040 I had to do because of the stupid W-2. Mind you, it's only a couple of hundred dollars, but I just didn't want it to come back and bite me in the ass as I tend to have that luck that gets me called out at the weirdest times.

And I hate being embarrassed, so I'd rather just straighten up and fly right and not be used as an 'example by the Man' and just dot those i's and cross those t's and dutifully send off my paperwork as updated or complete as it can be.

After I finished, I made a copy of everything, made sure the original was going into the proper envelope and address, and applied the proper postage stamps. I took a stroll to the post office and made sure it was dropped off in the correct bin.

Feeling accomplished, I went to pick up some lunch and headed home, checking my phone from time to time in case a potential gig dinged me.

The only sort of good news I heard from the government was I might be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, so does this mean I'm going to get cut a break? Dunno. Let's see how it goes.

Relatability

I don't know if it's even a word, but here you'll read it, relate-ability. How does one relate to another? Social skills, communication skills. Can you relate?

From a brief scan of actors over the years, I've noticed that a lot of good actors simply did not know how to communicate off-camera. They are sullen, withdrawn, in their own world, mute. Anti-social. Outcasts. They save all their energy and grace for the camera. They are fine with other people's words but not their own. It's as if they are merely an instrument, a hollowed out one, fine tuned simply by words written down. When it's time for them to be themselves, be with other human beings outside of the camera and lights, they don't know what to do. They are in a trance, as if dumbfounded.

Does becoming an actor fulfill a need to form a union with another human being?

You always hear the joke of the actor who uses other famous words or quotations when they are trying to prove their love in real life to another person -- and the other person goes, "That's from so-and so! Why can't you just tell me yourself in your own words?"

Gardening time!

Finally got the basil (three types - sweet, genovese and thai) are planted. Lavender is planted. Sage is planted.

I have yet to plant -- rosemary, mugwort, mint, chive, parsley (flat italian), cilantro and some more basil. I have not yet figured out HOW to get all these plants in the window. Wish I had a more stable set-up in the window.

But spring is here at last!

mingling

This week is starting off beautifully. Gorgeous weather, temps warming up, and longer hours of sun. I bought soil this weekend to start my container garden, and today's the day it's going to be in place. Yesterday I was treated to scents of basil and garlic, and yearned to get my garden started.

What to plant? Basil, chive, sage, and flat parsley. I still have my lavender which I may have to repot, it's looking a bit skinny and I have to remember to keep proper drainage for it.

Meanwhile, several of my colleagues are working a gig today which I have not been called for. I wonder and wait about the three day gig I have sent my interest on not once but twice. I started a writing exercise this morning, I wonder if it'll be the first of many. I do have a story to tell that's been trying to be told for some time.

Checking job posts and looking for work, as usual. No phone calls from the HR reps I've talked to prior. I guess it's just as well. Another sign I'm really moving in the right direction.

Quiet day but productive

I had been promising myself to pick up some soil to start the herbal container garden. I finally pushed myself out the door today and kept my focus, despite the grey and rain, to pick up fresh soil from the store. Got a check in the mail today from my 'non-work' on Mercy. Fast check, despite the disappointment.

After finishing off my errands, I got home to check my email and phone and then wandered onto IMDB and updated my page, it's been some time since I've done so. This brought me some positive feelings, because I felt a sense of accomplishment on all the background work I've done. I updated several pages, so I'm feeling good now.

Tomorrow I have Easter Sunday dinner with friends and family. I count myself lucky and blessed to be able to do so. I'm also bringing over a couple of bottles of wine, so it'll be all good.

I've been cheating a bit with my diet but will end my vacation from it starting Monday. Summer's just around the corner and I'm looking to be more marketable.

the temptation to 'crash' a gig

Today presented a situation that pops up rather frequently when you're a background player.

To crash or not to crash a gig you know about? Some people actually show up to gigs they hear about elsewhere, go to the location where it's filming, and hang out in hopes of being picked up to be used and thus get a paycheck. Some have had some success doing this while others were effectively and notoriously flagrant in regularly showing up unannounced and thus banned from ever doing it again.

One BG actor was overheard actually discussing that they were the reason why a certain casting company no longer posted location information on their voicemail and only stated that they had to give their assigned number in order to leave a message or gain further information. The tone in their voice seemed they were actually proud of it. And the smile that fluttered across their face as they relayed their story basically backed that theory up.

I like to avoid pissing off the casting directors who don't seem to remember you unless you either a) perfectly fit the role they're looking for and they're all nice or accomodating to you, or b) you disregarded or disobeyed some rule or instruction they wanted you to follow.

Some would say that is a prudent idea. Some would say I'm being an asskisser, and not breaking out of the rules now and then will leave me in perpetual background mode.

I continue to search for the path to take me to the next level -- somehow, I don't completely buy it. There has to be reason, a time and place for it, a justification, I think.

Today I was told of a gig and I was tempted to show up. Then I thought -- what if this comes and bites me later? I figured better safe than sorry and stayed put. This gig was not meant to be mine but the next one will, and the next one after that.

However, I continue to push for commercial ad work. Several national television and radio ads. That's where the money is. And continue making contacts in the business, staying in touch with people, and continuing to be professional and polite. Some may not view it as the best secret formula to success, but then this plan is not for them but for me and my success.

missed a call for SVU - darn!

Of course the call comes in after I decide I'm going to take a shower. I had the phones with me the past several days, waiting for a call and submitting like mad. Of course, I'm in the shower, just soaping up, when I hear a banging on the bathroom door and my cousin comes in all flustered and apologetic, with my phone beeping that I got a voicemessage.

I was in the shower, the phone is not exactly waterproof. So I had to rinse the soap out of my face and hands and turn off the water and wrap a towel around me, soapy and all and rush to hear the message.

I took down the phone number and called. The CD picked up, and I identified myself and the gig he just called me about. Wouldn't you know -- in those three precious minutes, the job was filled. OUCH! Lucky I didn't break a leg trying to get to this message.

Staying calm, I thanked the CD nicely and we hung up.

Guess it wasn't meant to be. How else to explain the timing? Sigh.

Thus another feature of the life of a BG actor.

Backstage blog site

Found this hysterical....It's called Why Do Musicians and Singers Feel So Entitled?

http://backstage.blogs.com/blogstage/2009/03/why-do-musicians-and-singers-feel-so-entitled.html

Here's a snippet:

"On the subway platform a pleasant looking woman (made up as if for an audition) was studying her sheet music while singing an otherwise unidentifiable show tune. Her lack of self-consciousness—some might say exhibitionism—was irritating. Her total disregard for everyone around her was infuriating. Who said we wanted to hear her? And it's not as though we could move some place else—not that we should be obliged to. The platform was packed and there was no place to go.
Of course, the same charge could be leveled against buskers, not to mention performing panhandlers. But there is a difference. They're at least attempting to entertain the public.
The woman with her sheet music couldn't care less if she pleased anyone on hand. That's also arguably true of subterranean mimes, clowns, and human "statues." (Does anyone really enjoy them?) But feeling free to be intrusive is a special issue with singers and musicians—drummers are the worst offenders—not only in public but in their apartments where they rehearse loudly and/or hold classes. "

The same could be readily said of actors who are 'preparing' on the train or bus...read the rest...by clicking the link

cheeky bastids -- feelin' a little persnickity

Just finished getting off the phone regarding a Mercy gig. Turns out as I suspected, that once they give your name in, whether they actually use you for the shot or not, you can't be used again.

If I had known that I would have never applied for this.

What I find interesting is how I met two people who are non-union who have worked on it twice, this past gig being their second time. How they got around that little rule I don't know. I've a feeling they did not get in there through Central. Who else could be casting for this, I wonder?

I know Central keeps a list as I was asked, and I didn't lie, I did state that while I was called for it, they never used me for the shoot, I was never in the scene. But apparently that didn't matter. I think I heard them say they'd get back to me regarding future gigs on this but I'm not sure it matters if that rule is in place.

I'm sure all rules have their reasons.

Meanwhile, watching Fringe. This is the show that's moving to Vancouver to film. All for a 16% tax credit.

It annoyed me hearing the head of the Silvercup Studios talk about New York City having a 'no cap' in order to 'stay competitive'. Okey-dokey. We are at 30%, plus 100% of any surplus goes back to the production company within the year they film, AND we have the Made in NY program that gives them an additional 5%. 35 plus percent is NOT competitive? How? How is Vancouver topping us?

And it's not like these film companies have to pay for permits in order to film -- permits are FREE! So WTF???!

Some of my fellow BG actors are not seeing the whole picture, just how it will affect them, which is understandable. Maybe I just tend to see the bigger picture in all this and know it's not that easy to just blame one person for everything going on in the city and the country. The days of knowing who the good and bad guy is have blurred considerably for many years.

Throughout this, I just went online and researched. Could not find one instance or shred of evidence of actual pullout or end of the tax credit -- just a lot of speculation on blogs and union articles and, I hate to say it, they were all doing a crying wolf.

I'm told I'm just missing the whole point. Hmm. We all know the tax credit isn't forever, just dedicated to the next several years, up to 2012, supposedly, according to the governor's site itself. There's no law set in stone that this goes on in perpetuity. The sense I get is "well, we'll see how it goes." Yet there's all this whipping people up in a frenzy. That's what worries me. It's like a bad social experiment. Anyone who disagrees or isn't caught up in the frenzy is deemed 'not getting it' or gets the 80's Molly Ringwald. You know, the eyes rolling over, mouth slightly open look.

To the business men -- you got your tax credit. Be nice and respectful of it. If you push too much, it could simply be pulled off the shelves altogether. Then what? Everyone goes to Vancouver or L.A and film a LOT of close up shots and use footage from a film library and CGI, baby! Like that won't cost a fortune. Yep it will.

worked National Geographic gig today

It was one of those magical days today. I checked my email and a colleague sent me an email alert that was looking for people for a gig today. I did not question it. I sent an email with my contact information and photo. After about an hour, I got confirmation on the gig over the phone. Got dressed, threw extra set of clothes and shoes in a bag, and flew out the door with my ID, bag and Metrocard to catch the train.

I only remembered as I got on the train that I forgot to bring my headshot with me. ULP!

I got there with ten minutes to spare and the lobby quickly gathered with some faces I knew, some I did not. We were greeted by the casting person who brought us all upstairs and we were brought to a nice little modern duplex upstairs, wall to ceiling glass and fancy filigreed gates that swung out to bring in more uninterrupted sun or views of the crowded older buildings that only New York City has.

We were soon filling out W-9's and being sent two by two to the filming area which was several floors down in the same building and then one by one we were given a situation that we had to act out for the therapist who was there to 'help' us work though our problem or situation.

I was delighted to do improv, and they let us go with it. I was the only one (and I asked prior before doing it) that displayed some emotional tinges. The rest were simply asking questions and relaying their story.

Afterwards, we did a closeup of our faces and then we said goodbye to the delighted crew who kept telling us we filmed so well, our segments went well, they seemed very satisfied. We were done in a couple of hours and got paid in cash upfront. Pretty awesome.

Left my information with the casting director as well as sent a thank you email to the agency that placed me. I also thanked a bunch of other people -- we are nothing without our networking and contacts to find that next gig.

CBS pilot - "Back"

It's a beautiful day today. I had a 5:30 AM call to play a tourist. I had to bring a prop (brought my digital camera) and a packed knapsack that had extra change of clothes and shoes just in case and managed to get there early. I almost doubted where I was going but made it after getting further confirmation from a fellow BG who happened to be having coffee in a shop nearby. It was dark when I left my home and it was dark when I arrived in Wall Street and the subsequent holding area which was a Chinese restaurant.

I checked in and managed to get my wardrobe approved then changed about when they saw I had options -- I was able to let an actor friend borrow my grey wool jacket since their jacket was deemed "too light" in color by wardrobe. I had not seen this actor friend in a long while so we caught up on things and hung out together for the bulk of the shoot, which was fun. Got to say hi to some of the regulars, although some were missed.

We filmed around Trinity Church, then we were told by the church's own security we had to move it along and so we moved, to another couple of blocks further down. Some lookee-loos were pretty nice and kept it moving after getting a glance, but some wanted to be in the scene and 'blend in with the extras' and thought they could just jump in and no one would be the wiser. One got uppity demanding to know why she couldn't be a part of it, and all I did was shake my head and say "please, no....no." And all she could say was why -- my actor friend was going to take the trouble to explain it, but if this visitor wanted to play tourist dumb, I was going to play along and break it down simple: "you need work visa -- take your work papers to that person over there (the PA) and see if they will let you work".

So it was pretty much walking back and forth as pedestrians as the actor Skeet Ulrich looked around, seemingly observant and looking all around him and the World Trade Center site. Skeet is not in any of these photos as we are not allowed to take pictures while filming. He didn't seem all that much taller than me and looked older than I thought he would. I don't know if it was makeup to look that way deliberately or that he's lived a pretty fast or harsh life in Hollywood. He's always presented as 'youthful' on camera. He recently did a series called Jericho on CBS, so perhaps they're looking for another star vehicle for him.

There was a lot of standing and walking in circles, which was rather funny. We got fed breakfast, a hot breakfast, but no lunch. We were let go around 1:30, 1:45, so there was no need to feed us a second meal. It was OK, I was grateful to take the brisk walk to the train station after changing out of my high heeled black leather boots and into my comfy F-UGGS, which is what I call my fake Uggs. Fuggs. *LOL*

In any case, except for the brisk wind that tends to come off the water down on Wall St., it was an otherwise nice and pretty day that ended blessedly early and well. Saw Meredith from Amerifilm Casting -- she was the one casting for this. I said hello and introduced myself to her -- as I had done on Hancock and when I met her at the Amerifilm open casting call over two years ago. She meets so many people, so it's not like she'll remember me. She was very nice to me.

Going to eat dinner. Just wanted to post this before falling asleep and forgetting!

Ohhhhh....Mercy Mercy Me

Worked one day on the NBC pilot called Mercy which is about three nurses working in a hospital. Why three, I wonder? You know, Charlie's Angels had three, Charmed had three, I just found that kind of curious, making a connection like that. Hmmm...

Anyway, today was pouring rain yet I made it to my bus to meet the transportation van that was going to take us to Jersey. When I got to the meeting place, there were already some background actors there waiting, and we huddled under one of the business canopies to stay out of the rain as best we could. Unfortunately, one of the background cluelessly blocked the door to the business we were standing by, and the irate owner came out to tell off the person. We couldn't blame the owner, the owner had no idea why six of us were hanging out in front of their store and an explanation was just too much of nothing to discuss.

I'm thinking a van is coming -- turns out it's a bus they rented, and we pile in. There's a toilet in the back, and I saw John, a fellow BG castmate from a Russian film we worked as background in, and we hugged and said hello.

I was really excited about the trip and when we got there, we filed out and went to holding within the hospital -- yes, a REAL hospital, but it was apparently empty -- there was a 'for rent' sign emblazoned on the side of the hospital building. So it was a little weird working in a place that obviously still looks much like a hospital within.

We picked up our vouchers and got checked by wardrobe in an orderly fashion. There wasn't a lot of us so things picked up quickly. I was one of 3 people who were marked as 'visitors' and yet we found ourselves NOT used. Can you believe it? They called all the other people to set, we were called to set, but they had us sit in a corner behind the camera, and so we just observed and sat quietly as they went through several takes.

Then it was over. We were sent back to holding. Then word filtered through that they were done for the day. It was barely 3 pm and the call was for 11 am this morning. I was surprised. I had assumed, wrongly, that just because we were a small pool of people, that we would all be used and featured. But we weren't. I then wondered if this was going to be like 'Damages' (Glenn Close show on FX) was -- that you only work one assignment and then can't be utilized for the rest of that season.

I saw the AFTRA rep there, it was the same rep as last time. Friendly guy, knows his stuff. But he was an omen that my suspicion might be on the mark.

I politely said hello and with the other woman who played a visitor, chatted and asked a few questions of him then took his card.

We waited about a half hour for the bus to come and take us back to NYC. I so wanted to ask the head PA about my concern about not being utilized but they work in mysterious ways and I am not to question.

So I dutifully head back to the bus with John who apparently wasn't used either even though he was in scrubs provided by wardrobe. I felt kind of guilty being paid for a gig I didn't even work, but I heard a couple of people were major late which may or may not have affected why the visitors weren't used. They had us sit behind the camera but sit in the room where the rest of the background was filming. At least I don't feel like a dope -- I wasn't the only one, so I can relax a little. I get home and the sun is doing its best to peer through the clouds. It's stopped raining. I check my emails and lo and behold I see a casting notice for Mercy, and a notation stating they're looking for people but you 'can't have worked it already'.

OH NO!!! AUGH!!!

Here is John looking spiffy in the scrubs provided by wardrobe. And to think, I own my own scrubs and brought them with me and showed to wardrobe. They hardly blinked and told me to stay in what I had on, that it was perfect for the 'visitor' role:

I decided to submit to it anyway. I made a notation in my submission for it -- "was submitted but was not used". Hopefully that won't be held against me. Weird. Meanwhile, another check came in from SALT -- deposited it. Pick up another check from another project next week. For now, I continue to hunt for more work while waiting for word on others.

Waxing Poetic on the late day call

After applying like four times to the same gig and date on four casting notices, I finally got the headsup -- got a phone call today and I called after 11 pm to find out the location/time details. YAYYYYYY it's not a 5 or 6 am report time! WOOHOOEEE!

Good news -- it's a late morning report call AND there will be transportation provided to take us to and from Jersey -- as long as we make sure to show up on time otherwise the van leaves without us and we're on our own to get to the site. I noted that the amount of extras was very small -- I think the first 20-25 are union, the other 25 are non. I like smaller shoots; less confusion, less time wasting, and easier to manueuver us to the next scene/shot.

That also means I may be featured. And I get to dress casual, blue-collar. No heels or dressy outfits that I have to will myself not to wrinkle, sweat in or spill anything on during a twelve hour gig. Goodygoody!

In the meantime, I found out two of my acting buddies will not be on this. I'm sad about that because I have so much fun with them and they make the waiting time between takes go faster. We exchange stories on the background lot, and make each other laugh and act as each other's sounding boards. Plus traveling in numbers is always good, security-wise.

I was planning on picking up a check I'm owed from another gig and to check out a voiceover seminar to audit but hey, when a new paying gig calls...gotta go to the gig, you know? Well, here's to the gig. Let's see how it goes. :-)

I'm excited!

In the meantime, I've submitted for a couple of commercials -- I'm confident and looking forward to more work.

bad news for the longest running soap opera

I'm posting this here as this is related to my work. This is one less show for actors to get work on.

CBS Cancels The Guiding Light
April 1, 2009
-By Marc Berman
Veteran CBS daytime soap The Guiding Light, the longest running daytime drama in the history of television, will broadcast its final episode on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. The serial debuted in a 15-minute format on NBC radio on Jan. 25, 1937 and moved to CBS (airing concurrently on broadcast and radio) beginning on June 30, 1952. The radio show ended in 1956, and The Guiding Light ultimately expanded to 30-minutes in 1967.Ten years later it became a full daily hour. “Guiding Light has achieved a piece of television history that will never be matched; it has crossed mediums, adapted its stories to decades of social change and woven its way through generations of audiences like no other," said Nancy Tellem, President, CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group. "This daytime icon will always be an indelible part of CBS's history, with a legacy of innovation and reputation for quality and excellence at every step of the way. While its presence will be missed, its contributions will always be celebrated and never be forgotten." There is no word at present what CBS will fill the weekday hour with.

Finally starting to see some of these shows

I'm ecstatic because I'm starting to see the debut of shows that I actually worked on. It's always exciting to see whether I will pop up or not on camera.

Cupid and Kings debuted. I was a little worried about Kings, where it's been said that the debut came up with miserable ratings. I am hoping things improve with that as I'm already liking the unfurling of the plots going on so far.

Cupid is a remake of a television show of the same name that starred Jeremy Piven, the guy that balked on doing the Mamet Speed the Plow on Broadway. Or puked, whatever, regarding mercury poisoning from his 'diet' of 'supplements' and impossibly LOTS AND LOTS OF sushi or fish.

Now back to the show. So Cupid, played now by Bobby Cannavale, is on Earth, being punished/expelled from Mount Olympus and has to put 100 couples together but it has to be TRUE LOVE for each couple in order to get back to Olympus. In the meantime, he meets cute with a psychiatrist played by Sara Paulson who I LOVED in the movie Down With Love. I guess it's not hard to figure out she's going to be his Psyche (she's a psychiatrist and human, get it?). Also, when she talks to him about Psyche, he says he has no idea about her, never heard of her. She reminds him he fell in love with Psyche, who was human, and that he even married her. Again he draws a blank. So that'll be ... cute.

I looked for myself during the New Year's scene in New York City which is in the beginning of the pilot. During this, a man takes some of the lighting during the countdown to 2009 and reconfigures it to read "I'm here Holly" in order to find a girl he spoke to briefly while working in a bar in Ireland. The girl was a tourist passing through but had made a strong impression on the young man who decided to take all his savings and buy a ticket to America to find her and Cupid helps him to do that. I won't give away the spoiler, but it ends cute, which I think might help this show as long as Bobby and Sara keep it from going too sugary.

For the New Year's scene, I recall it being filmed in Coney Island. They took a group of us to go to the rides, and the bulk of us stayed behind at some parking lot nearby, bundled up with our coats, scarves, hats and New Year's attire of balloons and hats, glasses and whistles, to ring in the New Year. We were told we would then be CGI'd to make a "huge crowd" in Times Square. Times Square would also be CGI'd in. What I found most interesting was the fact that it seems the show CGI'd the breath smoke that appears when one is out in the cold, talking. Since the weather was mild and still warm at the time of filming, we had to wear turtlenecks, boots, sweaters, coats, and pretend we were freezing. After pausing the video and slowing it down several times, I didn't see me. Oh well. The life of an extra.

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Kings has a whole Biblical and political theme about it and is very posh looking and dramatic. I would dare to say it's almost sudsy, like a nighttime soap opera. It's about this man who gets elected "King" (Ian McShane) and his family, along with a young modest soldier who happens to have saved the King's soldier son who had been captured on a brave overnight raid during the war that's going on and inadvertently gets sucked in to the political scene when he would rather go back to the battlefield where the rest of his comrades (and formerly his dad was) are fighting 'for the cause'.

I have yet to see the segments I was in, so I will continue to look out and enjoy the ride.