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.

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.

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. :-)

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

feeling tired but happy

One of the floats during the filming of The Bounty - Fourth of July parade sequence

Baton twirlers kept smiling bravely in the cool June weather.

Kick-ass band had cool dance choreography!

Actor Gerard Butler (Leonidas of 300 movie fame - middle man in dark jeans and dark blue top - his stunt double is in the foreground, as if behind him, wearing same clothing).

The shoot for The Bounty started at 6:30 am for me and ended a little after 8 pm -- checkout took so long it was almost 9 pm by the time I got out. We had over 600 extras, SAG and non-union combined.

Holding area was in an old factory that looked like it was in the process of renovation.

It was a long day but I got to see Gerard Butler -- and he looked great. I could've sworn he was looking at me and smiled at me, but I was like, nahhhh he couldn't be, that hottie checking me out?

In any case, the scene was a Fourth of July parade and we did take after take, shivering in this unusually cool June weather.

The Bounty

This is a movie starring Gerald Butler and Jennifer Aniston. Gerald plays a bounty hunter and Jennifer plays a news reporter. They were formerly married then during some case, get together and end up falling in love in the end...supposedly.

Meanwhile, this scene was for a Fourth of July parade, and it was cold. The clouds darkened the sky at one point and it threatened rain. Then the sun peeked out a bit. Then as the sun dipped, it only got cooler. By 7 pm, we were chattering, men and women alike. I was being kept warm by a young man who was only too eager to help. He was a gentleman for the most part though.

Had a busy weekend

This weekend was busy, working on a friend's political campaign, attending a birthday dinner and doing volunteer work. This weekend went so quickly.

Today found me hustling for work again. I had to cancel one appointment I realized I would not make in good time or any time today at all. I got done with everything around 3, then walked the dog and found news that I got a gig for tomorrow.

I'll be working as part of a group for a movie called The Bounty. Have no idea what it's about at this point, but it will be a two day gig and I love that. It calls for a Fourth of July scene, so I'm finally allowed to wear the Fourth of July colors! I'll be wearing blue jeans and a red top, not too fancy, maybe bring the camera for natural effect, as I might be playing a tourist again, who knows?

In any case, it's good news. I am praying that it's an early morning call, that we're out by 4 pm, so that I can rush over to do the political work I'm continuing to work on. Suddenly the sky is getting dark, it's only around 4:45, 4:50 pm, and the sky is getting reallllly dark. It's going to pour. What a crazy June.

Well, I'm going to check some more ads for more work. Gotta keep hustlin'. *smile*