things are looking up

And here I was thinking, "so much for doing any BG work lately." Working a day job for over a year had sucked the joy, time and energy of seeking out such work.

Just got the nod for a BG gig! It's an overnight gig, so I'm hoping I'm out by 6 am or 8 am, because I have an appointment at 10 am for the career counselor that I can't really afford to miss.

So exciting! It's going to be a gala at the museum scene, so I am pulling out my trusty dark blue cocktail dress, some jewelry, a change of clothing in case wardrobe hates the dress (don't think they will, it looks great on me and is perfect for a museum party scene) and some shoes. The shoes will be trickiest, as I tend to have what some call "school marm" shoes than strappy hot mama shoes. The hot mama ones aren't comfortable to stand in for 8 to 12 hours. I've tried, and it's not pretty.

Got an email inquiry for another BG gig, this one for later in the week and will shoot over several days, so that is exciting in itself. Things are starting to line up nicely. Will fill you in once things actually happen...

audience member gig

We ended up staying an extra hour or so as part of an audience gig. I never heard so much complaining in my life, with the word "slave" being used in reference to wages. The amount had been mentioned prior, so it was no surprise to anyone, along with the hours. We all knew this was not a simple two or four hour gig. We all agreed to go to this, and applied accordingly. Of course the agency did not identify themselves, which is just as well. Their reputation wasn't great, and so what if it got soiled a bit more?

I had the same attitude I had when I didn't have a day job to supplement. I was just happy to see some old on-set friends, and enjoy spending time catching up. It was great.

We were there for an infomercial for a financial planning seminar. It was not too boring, but some of the extras were obviously bored and wanted to show the 'stars' they were that only they knew they were. "There are no small roles only small actors" crowed one of the more obnoxious ones, and another sitting next to them was just as annoying with their "I know everything" b.s.

They tried to get the talent's attention by saying they did this, and pretending to be ooh and ahh over what the talent there had done. Their tone was very condescending and transparent, but the talent chose to rise above it and keep it moving.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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*

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.

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.

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.

two gigs towards the end of this week - awesome

Wednesday had me working in Long Beach -- we had transportation take us from Manhattan to a private house there. Holding was in a synogogue, and we ate a hot meal there a half hour after we got there, which was nice.

It was pretty good, and we got to refresh ourselves with water and soda and head to the bathroom before gathering our stuff and going to get checked by wardrobe and makeup. The van transported us back and forth and that was fun. We finally got on set, inside the house, and the scene was a lot of fun. We were playing frisky latinas having a bachelorette party and end up attacking the 'stripper' who was there. He was a sweetie and the crew kept carefully blocking the shot and we sat patiently, re-doing the scene take after take. It turned out to be a lot of fun.

They ended up keeping us a bit longer but paid us extra plus gave us transportation to the train station and paid our tickets home. They thanked us several times and even gave us water to go. That I thought was cool. We got to the train station in plenty of time to purchase our tickets, make a last bathroom stop at a pizza place across the street from the train station and buy somes pizza for the ride back. We all enjoyed our pizza and drinks. It was a pleasant ride back to Grand Central and we all kissed, waved or hugged each other goodbye as each of us went our separate ways or paired off with another to go another way.

Yesterday, Thursday, I got a call for a gig for Friday morning. I immediately said yes. The job paid cash, just like the one on Wednesday. It was for a different project and this one was in Manhattan. I found the place easily and it was at the Waverly Inn that they were filming at. I went in and immediately changed into my outfit for the shoot. Upscale restaurant patron, that's me! Hair person came around and expertly fixed my hair and touched up my face with a little powder and voila I was done. There was a lot of blocking and planning of the shoot going on and we patiently shot the scene repeatedly from a couple of angles. The place was tiny and there was only so much elbow space for the crew let alone the lone red camera.

Anyway, another paid in cash gig and we got fed pizza before we left which was fine. It was a nice day and people were nice so it was all good. When I got home, I picked up lunch and ran some errands before settling at home for the rest of the day. I have a busy weekend up and really didn't see the point of hanging out on a Friday night when I had to be up at 8 am Saturday.

I got a text while I was working today for a potential gig on Sunday. I am working Sunday, but since this gig is late in the day, I was able to revise my original no into a yes -- and we'll see what happens. I may call tomorrow to find out the status. It may be too late but what the hey. I found a voicemessage from my agent saying that the client really wanted to see me. So maybe they'll bump it up for more than that amount...but maybe not. I'll ask. We'll see.

Meanwhile, bumped into a fellow BG'er I'm friendly with and she was offered a gig for $175 through an agency that she had sworn she would never work with again. But for that price...well, everything can always be reconsidered. We smiled at each other and I congratulated her. I know I will get mine and it will be good!

For next week, a potential three day gig -- the casting agency will get back to me on it by Sunday. We'll see.

feeling buzzed and excited

Got some interesting news today. I'm going to be an aunt again. Pretty exciting. Of course I passed the information on and got congratulated.

Besides that, auditions are on the horizon once again. I can breathe a sigh of relief in a way. Got a callback for a job that I originally auditioned for over a month ago. I'm totally psyched and grateful that I was pro-active and sent a polite email inquiry to them last week asking about status. I'll be playing a young mom who is suffering from some unknown ailment. It's a commercial so I'll be definitely the focus. I'm totally psyched, oh yeah, I said that already!

Another audition is for a sexy latina -- and I know I got the curves and attitude for it. I had to send a full body shot along with my headshot. It's informal but I'm dressed nicely and I'm smiling nicely too, so I'm fine on sending a copy of it on.

I also have to remind myself that I need to send a headshot to two agencies I have my eye on and hopefully all will be well that I'll get an interest and a phone call from them. I also have been looking to update my headshot without it costing me a mini-fortune. Continue to troll ads.

Can't sleep from the excitement. Watching Radio Days. A fave movie of mine.

gig tomorrow - woo hoo!

Got a phone call earlier about a gig for tomorrow. Feeling good. Checked my email quick. Went out to walk the dog, run some errands and pick up some lunch. Got back and submitted for some more gigs for later this week. Crossing my fingers.

I'm submitting for more work and things will come. I tried to cheer up a fellow BG who seemed a bit scattered and frustrated.

Over the weekend, re-connected with a good friend and did some volunteer work. Overall a very productive weekend and a good start to the workweek. We'll see how things go.

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!

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.