I have always been competitive, now mostly with myself, earlier in my development with peers. I've written out five and ten year life plans since I was in junior high. It's important to me to take on projects, accomplish goals, check things off my list, and push myself forward. It's a curious combination with my highly anxious temperament. Continuously asking myself with great anxiety and self doubt--Why do I put myself in these situations? It's been about 50/50 whether I got much joy out of the process to achieving my past professional goals but finally meeting those milestones was always amazing satisfying. Since leaving my psychologist position for the move to NYC and realizing I would not be working professionally here after all, I've been at a bit of a loss. In place of a professional life, I decided to completely steep myself in getting to know NYC. I love NYC and it's been quite a love affair these last four and a half years. Now that I've gotten involved with background work, my competitive nature is roaring back to life. And I like it! I feel invigorated and excited about lots of possibilities the direction this work can take me. I really like working. I like having to show up at a certain time, meeting expectations, following directions, having good things said about my work, being a part of something, earning money (even as little as it is), improving my skill set, new experiences, enjoying the unpredictableness of it all. We are in a bit of limbo as to how much longer we will be staying in NYC so that makes the reality of achieving my goals a little iffy but I'm going to make the most of the time we still have here.
I'm back to making a list of professional goals. Excited about challenging myself and seeing what can I accomplish. I'm taking a multi-prong approach to the experiences I want to have as a background extra by the time I leave town. The really great thing about this go round is that there isn't much of an anxiety component. Because this work is so far afield from anything I ever imagined myself to be doing, any accomplishment is a milestone--a very reinforcing place to work from.
The following is my list--kind of a time capsule of sorts and because I am making it public on this blog it becomes even more so of a commitment.
My goals as an extra--in no particular order:
1) Qualify for a Screen Actors Guild card either by collecting the necessary 3 waivers or somehow sometime being given the opportunity to say even one word of a speaking line. Waivers are not so easily gotten. From what I've heard, getting them is a rather random experience. Seems most commonly, if not all the union positions are filled for any given job, the production assistant (PA) can give those contracts in the form of a waiver to any non-union person of his/her choice. It's advised to ask periodically of the PA if there is a chance for any waiver. It's a delicate conversation, one I'm not quite ready to have. I'm hoping for a multiple day job where I can get to know the PA a bit and then approach. I'm confident those jobs will come my way. I've already been offered a 10 day job that I couldn't take because I had another obligation on one of the days (that was particularly painful to have to turn down that offer.) I was up for 3 or 4 day job recently but didn't get selected. The other way is "right time, right place" where a director just happens to throw you a speaking line, even one word. That would be fantastic to qualify in that way. I'm not thinking that's my route but I'm certainly open to it.
Obtaining a SAG card allows me to join the union affording me substantially more income (2 to 3 times as much pay per job), it also allows for purchasing health insurance and establishing a retirement plan. It is one of those spend money to make money scenarios. It costs $3000 to join up front, then another $200 annual fee. I've met several people who have the qualification to join but not the money. It puts them in a tough situation to never really be able to get ahead. They just can't afford the outlay and wait for subsequent work to eventually cover the cost. They are essentially living pay check to pay check. I'm so lucky to be able to pay that fee upfront when I meet criteria. It'll pay for itself within 10 to 12 jobs (about a month's work) then it's all gravy from that point on.
2) Be a featured extra--this is someone who. although doesn't have a speaking role, is more prominent in a scene than just a blur in the background. They may demonstrate a particular skill (a la the snake charmer) or just be more key in a scene.
3) Get at least one Print work job --local, regional, or national. I've applied for several so far but nothing yet. I feel it's a matter of time, patience, and doggedness. It would be great if this were the gateway to the "money shot." People have told me of being paid $20,000 to $60,000 for print work.
4) Be in as many far ranging roles as I can. I feel I'm already being type cast as a lawyer/professional type. I've kind of done it to myself for the most part because of the photos I've posted on my profile page. I need to figure out how to change up my image to show more range. I have some ideas and Bob is more than willing to do the photography. I'll unveil a few new pics over the next couple of weeks. I'm working on upping my prop wardrobe. I've bought hospital scrubs in a couple of colors and a physician's lab coat. Still doing more research on the policeman's uniform. I did price it out and looks like it'll set me back $400. I want to make sure I have a full understanding of all the details for what makes a complete uniform before making any haphazard purchase. Seems like I'll have to get not only the winter uniform but the summer shirt as well. It's gonna happen but in the most educated way. I'm on the Blue Bloods set again on Monday so will have the opportunity to talk more to those portraying cops. Still going to do the swimsuit pic. I'm still debating about whether to purchase an evening gown. I'm just not feeling very confident about whether I can pull off the whole image to the level they describe in the job descriptions. Definitely will play a dead body before my career is over here, a zombie or monster would be fun, a psychologist or professor would be most appropriate. Other desired roles are a cult member, a prisoner or kidnap victim, an accident victim (with bloody makeup), etc. I really want to be in a period piece like Boardwalk Empire or the Knick or anything of that genre.
I will say that I tend to way overthink wardrobe. I'm such a rule follower. I take directions very seriously. I still worry every time whether I'm taking appropriate outfits and yet ON EVERY SHOOT there are people there who are a out of sync or a complete mess with what was asked for. They are poorly groomed, their clothes are rumpled and ragged--I see them pulling out their clothing out of paper bags, their shoes are completely wrong for their outfit, etc. And yet they make it on to the set for filming. I won't stop meeting my own high standards but I just gotta get over the worry part.
5) I want to be in a commercial that has less than a dozen people in it. All commercials pay better so I won't turn down any commercial but I'd like to be in a more intimate shoot, not one of hundreds which is my experience so far.
6) I'm hoping to get up to working 15 days a month. January I worked 4 days, February I worked 7 days (and that was a short month plus a week of travel). March is starting well with a job already booked for Monday. People have told me that winter is the slow season, though it seems like there are a lot of job postings. Supposedly things really amp up in Spring and Summer and rumor has it that several movies will be filmed in NYC over the next several months. One directed by Jodie Foster. This all portends well for steady work.
7) I really want to do a demo for a Public Service Announcement, feels like a more noble effort with potentially good pay off for helping others.
8) There are several TV shows I would love to work on: The Mindy Project, The Good Wife, Girls, Saturday Night Live skit or short film, Nashville (if they ever do a location scene in NYC), Portlandia (they did a location scene in LA, maybe NYC is next), Madam Secretary, Veep (if they ever do a location scene here), The Knick, Boardwalk Empire, Broad City, Louie, Orange is the New Black, The Americans
That's my list so far. I may amend it to add more as time goes by, but this is a good start.
Last thought, I don't think adding a tin man costume to my wardrobe is ever going to happen--but somebody out there has one.... A job for everyone!
I'm back to making a list of professional goals. Excited about challenging myself and seeing what can I accomplish. I'm taking a multi-prong approach to the experiences I want to have as a background extra by the time I leave town. The really great thing about this go round is that there isn't much of an anxiety component. Because this work is so far afield from anything I ever imagined myself to be doing, any accomplishment is a milestone--a very reinforcing place to work from.
The following is my list--kind of a time capsule of sorts and because I am making it public on this blog it becomes even more so of a commitment.
My goals as an extra--in no particular order:
1) Qualify for a Screen Actors Guild card either by collecting the necessary 3 waivers or somehow sometime being given the opportunity to say even one word of a speaking line. Waivers are not so easily gotten. From what I've heard, getting them is a rather random experience. Seems most commonly, if not all the union positions are filled for any given job, the production assistant (PA) can give those contracts in the form of a waiver to any non-union person of his/her choice. It's advised to ask periodically of the PA if there is a chance for any waiver. It's a delicate conversation, one I'm not quite ready to have. I'm hoping for a multiple day job where I can get to know the PA a bit and then approach. I'm confident those jobs will come my way. I've already been offered a 10 day job that I couldn't take because I had another obligation on one of the days (that was particularly painful to have to turn down that offer.) I was up for 3 or 4 day job recently but didn't get selected. The other way is "right time, right place" where a director just happens to throw you a speaking line, even one word. That would be fantastic to qualify in that way. I'm not thinking that's my route but I'm certainly open to it.
Obtaining a SAG card allows me to join the union affording me substantially more income (2 to 3 times as much pay per job), it also allows for purchasing health insurance and establishing a retirement plan. It is one of those spend money to make money scenarios. It costs $3000 to join up front, then another $200 annual fee. I've met several people who have the qualification to join but not the money. It puts them in a tough situation to never really be able to get ahead. They just can't afford the outlay and wait for subsequent work to eventually cover the cost. They are essentially living pay check to pay check. I'm so lucky to be able to pay that fee upfront when I meet criteria. It'll pay for itself within 10 to 12 jobs (about a month's work) then it's all gravy from that point on.
2) Be a featured extra--this is someone who. although doesn't have a speaking role, is more prominent in a scene than just a blur in the background. They may demonstrate a particular skill (a la the snake charmer) or just be more key in a scene.
3) Get at least one Print work job --local, regional, or national. I've applied for several so far but nothing yet. I feel it's a matter of time, patience, and doggedness. It would be great if this were the gateway to the "money shot." People have told me of being paid $20,000 to $60,000 for print work.
4) Be in as many far ranging roles as I can. I feel I'm already being type cast as a lawyer/professional type. I've kind of done it to myself for the most part because of the photos I've posted on my profile page. I need to figure out how to change up my image to show more range. I have some ideas and Bob is more than willing to do the photography. I'll unveil a few new pics over the next couple of weeks. I'm working on upping my prop wardrobe. I've bought hospital scrubs in a couple of colors and a physician's lab coat. Still doing more research on the policeman's uniform. I did price it out and looks like it'll set me back $400. I want to make sure I have a full understanding of all the details for what makes a complete uniform before making any haphazard purchase. Seems like I'll have to get not only the winter uniform but the summer shirt as well. It's gonna happen but in the most educated way. I'm on the Blue Bloods set again on Monday so will have the opportunity to talk more to those portraying cops. Still going to do the swimsuit pic. I'm still debating about whether to purchase an evening gown. I'm just not feeling very confident about whether I can pull off the whole image to the level they describe in the job descriptions. Definitely will play a dead body before my career is over here, a zombie or monster would be fun, a psychologist or professor would be most appropriate. Other desired roles are a cult member, a prisoner or kidnap victim, an accident victim (with bloody makeup), etc. I really want to be in a period piece like Boardwalk Empire or the Knick or anything of that genre.
I will say that I tend to way overthink wardrobe. I'm such a rule follower. I take directions very seriously. I still worry every time whether I'm taking appropriate outfits and yet ON EVERY SHOOT there are people there who are a out of sync or a complete mess with what was asked for. They are poorly groomed, their clothes are rumpled and ragged--I see them pulling out their clothing out of paper bags, their shoes are completely wrong for their outfit, etc. And yet they make it on to the set for filming. I won't stop meeting my own high standards but I just gotta get over the worry part.
5) I want to be in a commercial that has less than a dozen people in it. All commercials pay better so I won't turn down any commercial but I'd like to be in a more intimate shoot, not one of hundreds which is my experience so far.
6) I'm hoping to get up to working 15 days a month. January I worked 4 days, February I worked 7 days (and that was a short month plus a week of travel). March is starting well with a job already booked for Monday. People have told me that winter is the slow season, though it seems like there are a lot of job postings. Supposedly things really amp up in Spring and Summer and rumor has it that several movies will be filmed in NYC over the next several months. One directed by Jodie Foster. This all portends well for steady work.
7) I really want to do a demo for a Public Service Announcement, feels like a more noble effort with potentially good pay off for helping others.
8) There are several TV shows I would love to work on: The Mindy Project, The Good Wife, Girls, Saturday Night Live skit or short film, Nashville (if they ever do a location scene in NYC), Portlandia (they did a location scene in LA, maybe NYC is next), Madam Secretary, Veep (if they ever do a location scene here), The Knick, Boardwalk Empire, Broad City, Louie, Orange is the New Black, The Americans
That's my list so far. I may amend it to add more as time goes by, but this is a good start.
Last thought, I don't think adding a tin man costume to my wardrobe is ever going to happen--but somebody out there has one.... A job for everyone!
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