Worked an overnight BG gig as part of an audience attending "the last quartet" -- the scene including Christopher Walken, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener. I'm a bit hyped as I type this because I got to see THE Christopher Walken, doing a walkthru of the scene, and his character's goodbye speech, a part of it, anyway. We filmed at the Met Museum which was awesome and my favorite museum. My night, as far as I was concerned, couldn't get any better. I wore a dark blue cocktail dress, had my hair on stunningly coiffed, and simple jewelry, along with a ring my grandmother gave me with nylons and black simple heeled shoes. It was just very interesting, to see this man act, and to see he looks very much like he does on t.v. and in the movies. So did Phillip and Catherine. But I was there for Mr. Walken. This is an intense actor, who can do this acting in his sleep. Other people make it so complex and operatic and it doesn't need to be, not every time, not in everything. Tonight's Oscar night, and it was, sadly, boring. James Franco didn't win, Social Network didn't win, and elder Hollywood still holds the balls. For now.
Met up with some BG'ers who are still doing this, which is surprising considering how long it's been since I've been out of the game, over a year, and yet here they were. It was a relief to see some familiar faces, and catch up over a bag lunch while SAG ate their catered hot food and drank their hot coffee.
As time went on, I was fighting falling asleep, as I was told Mr. Walken was looking my way, which I found hard to believe. But I think I might have seen him. Dunno. I was in a sea of people so I can't take it entirely seriously.
Was caught in the middle of a religious born again vs. esoteric discussion and got a headache listening to the drama. Never a dull moment in non-union holding.
Back to the Oscars. The ending had the chorus from a public school in Staten Island, sang Over the Rainbow. It was the most diverse moment I had ever seen, and a thought crossed my mind. Would these kids become the people who are the ticket buyers or ticket takers, not the ones who get to make it big in Hollywood.
Yesterday was playing music I hadn't heard in a while, and I still felt a little sad listening to it. But it was a reminder, a call to why I'm back to where I'm at, and why I need to pick myself up and dust myself off and start...all over again. It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life, like the song by Muse goes.
In six hours I need to be getting ready or be on the train to head to the next gig. Blue Bloods. We'll see how this goes. Putting in for Gossip Girl. Will fill you in as things come along.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
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...
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...
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Starting the rounds again
Have taken some active steps in the way to get back into what I was doing before I interrupted my real life for an office job. The job took over a year out of my life, and again it was the disappointment it was meant to be. Politics and bullshit. But I digress.
I started going to the gym. Three times a week, two classes a day for the first two months. My body started to change before my eyes. My body got leaner, lighter, and my clothes were getting loose on me. It felt great to finally do something for myself. I went with two co-workers, and when they didn't go, I made sure to go, or cut myself a break and not ride myself so hard for skipping a couple of days. As the weather got colder, I cut back to twice a week, one class a piece and be on the train before 6:30 to fight the wind and go home.
Soon, family and friends were noticing the change. I was delighted, still am. I had continued to pay my subscriptions to various online acting submission sites, but had dropped off the radar and only occasionally checked in to fellow actors, sending a greeting to let them know I was alive, give a short report that I was still in an office gig trying to save some acting money and then wished them well.
But I miss the gypsy life. I also miss having a regular check. Something has to give. The current job is messing with my pay, and have explained away any increase to a promotion they supposedly had given me. There is no bonus. Yet I continue to do what they want me to do, and have said very little in protest or against them. Because I had a plan. It was not to stay there forever as I had other things, better things, to do.
I realized that the money simply wasn't happening. I was simply seeing the money go out as soon as it came in. Couldn't save any money -- anything that actually accumulated had to go to some other bill or emergency the next month after that. No matter how much I was saving eating at home, not going to movies, not buying anything for months at a time except for necessary toiletries or shoes for work, living a boring life of simply going to work, going to the gym, and going home. Wasn't going to clubs, or catching Broadway shows. My only vice was buying groceries to cook at home and going to the gym.
And I was barely hanging on. I was poor. This was stupid and ridiculous. Bosses couldn't praise me enough for my office skills and work ethic -- yet they weren't going to reward me financially for it. When the opportunity came to work for an incoming new executive, there were so many strings I realized I was merely a puppet, going where they wanted me to go, doing what they wanted done without attitude, nodding and jerking along as I was tied to them.
Frustrated by the latest b.s. being given me by those I had mistakenly thought weren't people I reported to anymore because of the promotion -- the lightbulb went off when my supposed new boss informed me that he actually reported to them, which means he wasn't protected and neither was I...and that meant that this was all an illusion, a charade, some b.s. to placate the new executive in town who had brought in my boss. This was all deemed a 'favor', which put me in a very vulnerable spot. Because that means that this was all yet another way of pushing the ol' office furniture around (meaning me) and that it was nothing personal, I was a work mule, one of their prized ones, and they would have me pinch hit as they saw fit, for as long as they wanted to, I had actually no say in the matter and should have zero expectations as far as any financial reward or recognition for it.
*taking deep breath* Coming to that realization, that this was all an illusion and simply bullshit, suddenly made my mind clear, and I was able to take a deep breath, step back, and assess. I realized I did not want to work this way anymore, and did not want to be anybody's lapdog, doormat, fool or pinch hitter. There was nothing in it for me except for nodding my head, saying "yes ma'am or sir" and bending over with a smile on my face, eagerly awaiting the next order.
Realization. Enlightenment. Clarity. Calm. Joy. In that order is how it came. It all made sense now. I could move forward without any worry or anxiety.
I was no better off now with getting the money together to go union than I was before. Besides the gym progress (oh, and getting a new computer as well, don't forget that!) there was not much more to say that the year had been overly productive on. I hadn't traveled beyond going locally a few times, and that was through extremely good pricing opportunities.
The headshot looks good and is still viable. I may, however, draw up some new looks and find a new program on-line to show my different looks in order to create a comp card to keep the interest going. Will submit/audition for plays, and look into the theater and commercials angle. I know the commercials and ads is where the money is, along with voice over work. Have to figure something out and now I have the energy and clear head to do so.
Will continue to update here. Watched Frida with Selma Hayek as inspiration. Need to go back to Mexico too. 2011 is the year. Feeling giddy and finally....positive.
I started going to the gym. Three times a week, two classes a day for the first two months. My body started to change before my eyes. My body got leaner, lighter, and my clothes were getting loose on me. It felt great to finally do something for myself. I went with two co-workers, and when they didn't go, I made sure to go, or cut myself a break and not ride myself so hard for skipping a couple of days. As the weather got colder, I cut back to twice a week, one class a piece and be on the train before 6:30 to fight the wind and go home.
Soon, family and friends were noticing the change. I was delighted, still am. I had continued to pay my subscriptions to various online acting submission sites, but had dropped off the radar and only occasionally checked in to fellow actors, sending a greeting to let them know I was alive, give a short report that I was still in an office gig trying to save some acting money and then wished them well.
But I miss the gypsy life. I also miss having a regular check. Something has to give. The current job is messing with my pay, and have explained away any increase to a promotion they supposedly had given me. There is no bonus. Yet I continue to do what they want me to do, and have said very little in protest or against them. Because I had a plan. It was not to stay there forever as I had other things, better things, to do.
I realized that the money simply wasn't happening. I was simply seeing the money go out as soon as it came in. Couldn't save any money -- anything that actually accumulated had to go to some other bill or emergency the next month after that. No matter how much I was saving eating at home, not going to movies, not buying anything for months at a time except for necessary toiletries or shoes for work, living a boring life of simply going to work, going to the gym, and going home. Wasn't going to clubs, or catching Broadway shows. My only vice was buying groceries to cook at home and going to the gym.
And I was barely hanging on. I was poor. This was stupid and ridiculous. Bosses couldn't praise me enough for my office skills and work ethic -- yet they weren't going to reward me financially for it. When the opportunity came to work for an incoming new executive, there were so many strings I realized I was merely a puppet, going where they wanted me to go, doing what they wanted done without attitude, nodding and jerking along as I was tied to them.
Frustrated by the latest b.s. being given me by those I had mistakenly thought weren't people I reported to anymore because of the promotion -- the lightbulb went off when my supposed new boss informed me that he actually reported to them, which means he wasn't protected and neither was I...and that meant that this was all an illusion, a charade, some b.s. to placate the new executive in town who had brought in my boss. This was all deemed a 'favor', which put me in a very vulnerable spot. Because that means that this was all yet another way of pushing the ol' office furniture around (meaning me) and that it was nothing personal, I was a work mule, one of their prized ones, and they would have me pinch hit as they saw fit, for as long as they wanted to, I had actually no say in the matter and should have zero expectations as far as any financial reward or recognition for it.
*taking deep breath* Coming to that realization, that this was all an illusion and simply bullshit, suddenly made my mind clear, and I was able to take a deep breath, step back, and assess. I realized I did not want to work this way anymore, and did not want to be anybody's lapdog, doormat, fool or pinch hitter. There was nothing in it for me except for nodding my head, saying "yes ma'am or sir" and bending over with a smile on my face, eagerly awaiting the next order.
Realization. Enlightenment. Clarity. Calm. Joy. In that order is how it came. It all made sense now. I could move forward without any worry or anxiety.
I was no better off now with getting the money together to go union than I was before. Besides the gym progress (oh, and getting a new computer as well, don't forget that!) there was not much more to say that the year had been overly productive on. I hadn't traveled beyond going locally a few times, and that was through extremely good pricing opportunities.
The headshot looks good and is still viable. I may, however, draw up some new looks and find a new program on-line to show my different looks in order to create a comp card to keep the interest going. Will submit/audition for plays, and look into the theater and commercials angle. I know the commercials and ads is where the money is, along with voice over work. Have to figure something out and now I have the energy and clear head to do so.
Will continue to update here. Watched Frida with Selma Hayek as inspiration. Need to go back to Mexico too. 2011 is the year. Feeling giddy and finally....positive.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
post post post
I know it's been awhile, but the background gigs have been few and far between, mostly because I've been focusing more on the day job. Had to buy a new computer as the old one went on the fritz so saving money for that as well as for that goal of going union became the priorities.
So I had to dip into the funds and research the new computer. I'm currently on a diet, and have lost some weight, the healthy way, by reducing snacks, eating more fruits and veggies, and drinking plenty of water and tea. Working with small weights to tone and strengthen the arms too. This has helped and I don't feel so deprived. I have made peace that nothing was going to happen quick, especially weight loss results if I was serious about keeping the weight off.
So in some ways I continue my background career, looking for those gigs that land on weekends. I'm also submitting for commercials and print work, and re-started my Backstage subscription. We'll see how things go. I continue to keep it moving, never wavering from my goal -- to become a professional, paid good actress.
So I had to dip into the funds and research the new computer. I'm currently on a diet, and have lost some weight, the healthy way, by reducing snacks, eating more fruits and veggies, and drinking plenty of water and tea. Working with small weights to tone and strengthen the arms too. This has helped and I don't feel so deprived. I have made peace that nothing was going to happen quick, especially weight loss results if I was serious about keeping the weight off.
So in some ways I continue my background career, looking for those gigs that land on weekends. I'm also submitting for commercials and print work, and re-started my Backstage subscription. We'll see how things go. I continue to keep it moving, never wavering from my goal -- to become a professional, paid good actress.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Beginning diet plan and checking out Shakespeare class
This has proved to be a busy, productive weekend, especially towards my acting career.
I am looking at weight plans and looking to see what I could do exercise wise. I walk, briskly, several days a week but for 30 minutes at a time maybe just twice a week, on weekends when I'm running errands and walking the dog.
Tomorrow I'm auditing a class on Shakespeare, to check out the teacher's style and the class atmosphere and learning ethic. It's downtown, so that might be a problem, but we'll see how it goes. I did find it puzzling that they would have a class on Mother's Day, maybe that correlates with artists having mother issues? Dunno....interesting weird thought.
Went shopping and picked out a work outfit in a cheerful bright color, and had to replace some makeup. Bought some books. Paid my phone bill.
Still have not saved enough money for union join. Sigh. Going to look at some lipsticks.
I am looking at weight plans and looking to see what I could do exercise wise. I walk, briskly, several days a week but for 30 minutes at a time maybe just twice a week, on weekends when I'm running errands and walking the dog.
Tomorrow I'm auditing a class on Shakespeare, to check out the teacher's style and the class atmosphere and learning ethic. It's downtown, so that might be a problem, but we'll see how it goes. I did find it puzzling that they would have a class on Mother's Day, maybe that correlates with artists having mother issues? Dunno....interesting weird thought.
Went shopping and picked out a work outfit in a cheerful bright color, and had to replace some makeup. Bought some books. Paid my phone bill.
Still have not saved enough money for union join. Sigh. Going to look at some lipsticks.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
updates on treating acting as a business
Finally decided to get an organizer for my acting career. I had been staring at this book/program from some time after visiting Actor Fest over a year ago. I had signed up for email updates but hadn't had the money or the determination to actually buy this book and see what this person is all about.
I also re-signed with backstage.com to get their listings and submit to those postings listed there. Working a full time job means I have to focus more on actor related things.
Had wanted to check out a fellow BG actor's theater role but this week had gone quick and I wasn't able to get to it. Felt bad, because we're supposed to be supportive of each other's projects. I will not assume anybody can come see my work, as I'd be too shy to have someone who knows me in the audience and know about it, I just might freeze up. Oh well.
In any case, continuing to look at some actor classes as well as writing classes. Have to save money for two different causes, classes and joining union. And lose weight safely. Sheesh, much to do.
I also re-signed with backstage.com to get their listings and submit to those postings listed there. Working a full time job means I have to focus more on actor related things.
Had wanted to check out a fellow BG actor's theater role but this week had gone quick and I wasn't able to get to it. Felt bad, because we're supposed to be supportive of each other's projects. I will not assume anybody can come see my work, as I'd be too shy to have someone who knows me in the audience and know about it, I just might freeze up. Oh well.
In any case, continuing to look at some actor classes as well as writing classes. Have to save money for two different causes, classes and joining union. And lose weight safely. Sheesh, much to do.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
out of the blue
Finally got a call. Out of the blue. From an agency that I hadn't heard from in like a year. For BG work on The Good Wife. It would mean getting out of the day job for the day. What was interesting was I had never submitted to it.
Transportation was provided for the ride to set for the established gig, there was a number to call to get information, and I soon found myself on a nice comfy bus riding to Long Island. We shot in a real correctional facility, and the scene was about a woman who was being held in an immigration jail. We went through at least three sets of clanging metal jail bar doors, with officers manning each section with a bunch of keys in their hand as they glanced at us and checked for our in-jail ID that separated us from the population. Those extras who had to wear prison garb were warned not to wander anywhere off-set as they could be mistaken for real prisoners and would be taken away.
I was playing one of the correctional officers, standing behind the star of the show. I refrained from taking any photos on set, just to not annoy anybody. The fact I wore lipstick threw one of the makeup people into a mini uproar, and I quietly and amiably took off the lipstick. The makeup person had brought another over, and they briefly debated over how a correctional officer would look. The second makeup person found it amusing that the first one seemed so huffy about it and said correctional officers had a life outside the building so why not wear lipstick, no big deal. I said nothing. In the end, I went to the bathroom and took it off. After that, though, I heard the crew refer to me as the lipstick girl.
Guess they must've gotten a good laugh over that.
Before we had even gotten into the prison, we had to leave a proper ID card with the security post out front. Luckily I had brought two ID's, my state ID and my US passport. I gave my state ID at the gate and had to leave my passport when I had to go to the Props department to get the fake walkie-talkie, keys and badges to complete the 'look'. The makeup girl told me to make a messy ponitail which I quickly accomplished and she actually loved. I heard one of the crew stating how they seemed to assemble a bunch of people so quickly, and apparently all had the right look for them, and the director said that everyone was very good.
When we went to get our uniforms, and it was fairly quick and easy to pick out my size (lucky I remembered what size I was in men's shirts because I was dressed in a man's uniform!) and had to leave my voucher for that.
The shoot went pretty quickly. The star, Julianna Margulies, was professional, joked with the crew, and went in and out with these really high Frankenstein platform heeled shoes that added inches to her height. In the shoes she was eye level to me. Without, she was about by my neck. What was funny is her profile on IMDB lists her at 5 foot 6. I'm 5 foot 7, so I found that a bit interesting. She looked at me and I nodded slightly then looked away.
That rule about not interacting with the stars unless they address you -- I kept to it. I knew quite a few who couldn't wrap their egos around that and wouldn't hesitate to break that rule almost every chance they got in some convoluted home to be 'remembered' for 'something next time'. And to have something to brag about later with other BGers.
About four to six takes for each angle, and we were done. The guest star was impressed with how quickly the scene was done. About 3 or 4 angles in all, and I was saved for the final set before they announced that non-union was wrapped. I was asked to relax my stance, but it wasn't that easy -- my body wanted to go rigid and be 'on guard' as soon as I was fully in uniform. It is true what they say, the uniform can really make your mind 'go there' and it was easy to act.
They initally were going to hold on to me as I was in full get up still but decided to let me go. Darn! The ride back was relaxing, as I made sure I had room this time on the way home. It was a beautiful day and we were dropped off in midtown by Lexington Avenue. I thanked the driver and quickly found the subway and took the short ride home in a crowded train as we had just hit rush hour.
Overall a pleasant experience. Four hours, not including traffic. Nice weather. A good day.
Transportation was provided for the ride to set for the established gig, there was a number to call to get information, and I soon found myself on a nice comfy bus riding to Long Island. We shot in a real correctional facility, and the scene was about a woman who was being held in an immigration jail. We went through at least three sets of clanging metal jail bar doors, with officers manning each section with a bunch of keys in their hand as they glanced at us and checked for our in-jail ID that separated us from the population. Those extras who had to wear prison garb were warned not to wander anywhere off-set as they could be mistaken for real prisoners and would be taken away.
I was playing one of the correctional officers, standing behind the star of the show. I refrained from taking any photos on set, just to not annoy anybody. The fact I wore lipstick threw one of the makeup people into a mini uproar, and I quietly and amiably took off the lipstick. The makeup person had brought another over, and they briefly debated over how a correctional officer would look. The second makeup person found it amusing that the first one seemed so huffy about it and said correctional officers had a life outside the building so why not wear lipstick, no big deal. I said nothing. In the end, I went to the bathroom and took it off. After that, though, I heard the crew refer to me as the lipstick girl.
Guess they must've gotten a good laugh over that.
Before we had even gotten into the prison, we had to leave a proper ID card with the security post out front. Luckily I had brought two ID's, my state ID and my US passport. I gave my state ID at the gate and had to leave my passport when I had to go to the Props department to get the fake walkie-talkie, keys and badges to complete the 'look'. The makeup girl told me to make a messy ponitail which I quickly accomplished and she actually loved. I heard one of the crew stating how they seemed to assemble a bunch of people so quickly, and apparently all had the right look for them, and the director said that everyone was very good.
When we went to get our uniforms, and it was fairly quick and easy to pick out my size (lucky I remembered what size I was in men's shirts because I was dressed in a man's uniform!) and had to leave my voucher for that.
The shoot went pretty quickly. The star, Julianna Margulies, was professional, joked with the crew, and went in and out with these really high Frankenstein platform heeled shoes that added inches to her height. In the shoes she was eye level to me. Without, she was about by my neck. What was funny is her profile on IMDB lists her at 5 foot 6. I'm 5 foot 7, so I found that a bit interesting. She looked at me and I nodded slightly then looked away.
That rule about not interacting with the stars unless they address you -- I kept to it. I knew quite a few who couldn't wrap their egos around that and wouldn't hesitate to break that rule almost every chance they got in some convoluted home to be 'remembered' for 'something next time'. And to have something to brag about later with other BGers.
About four to six takes for each angle, and we were done. The guest star was impressed with how quickly the scene was done. About 3 or 4 angles in all, and I was saved for the final set before they announced that non-union was wrapped. I was asked to relax my stance, but it wasn't that easy -- my body wanted to go rigid and be 'on guard' as soon as I was fully in uniform. It is true what they say, the uniform can really make your mind 'go there' and it was easy to act.
They initally were going to hold on to me as I was in full get up still but decided to let me go. Darn! The ride back was relaxing, as I made sure I had room this time on the way home. It was a beautiful day and we were dropped off in midtown by Lexington Avenue. I thanked the driver and quickly found the subway and took the short ride home in a crowded train as we had just hit rush hour.
Overall a pleasant experience. Four hours, not including traffic. Nice weather. A good day.
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