After taking a month away focused on family business, my priorities got a total reset and I now have a more balanced perspective and approach to the background work. I'm feeling more grounded, less crazed to submit to any and every job posted. Now submitting only to jobs I'm really interested in, for shows/commercials/movies I really want to be in (right now trying my hardest to get onto GIRLS before they wrap for this season, and Orange is the New Black has just started filming for their 4th season, Martin Scorsese is directing a film now that Mick Jagger is the producer on that I'm trying to get on--it's a film on Andy Warhol which I'm not sure I'm a good fit for but what the heck), or because of the principal actor is someone I really want to see, or because the pay is much better than usual, or the wardrobe is interesting, or the role seems like it will be fun or interesting. I'm much more willing to prioritize seeing friends or attending to other projects and forego extra work, whereas before, everything pretty much took second fiddle to the work possibilities. I'm not nearly as disappointed if I don't get booked for a job on any particular day. I took it so personally before. It all feels so much better now.
I still enjoy the work very much though I have to say, I was on a shoot for a German movie, working title is Antonio. It was a tough job because it was on a Saturday (I didn't sign up for it but was invited by one of the casting companies I'm registered with to work on it. It's hard to turn those down because you definitely want to stay on their good side for continuous work opportunities.) Anyway, we had a very challenging Production Assistant working with us Extras (a PA can make or break an Extra's day on the set) and while it was cool and breezy in the morning, it became quite hot and full sun by the afternoon. I wound up getting a sun/heat induced headache and got put behind a generator spewing out fumes for a while. I questioned myself a lot that day if this work was really worth it. It was a standard low paying job too which added to the equation. But then a cushy job comes next and it all seems okay again.
I did get a call back on the Food Network featured background job. The role is for an Aunt Martha who has to show disgust with a meal prepared by her nephew. Had to do a mini-audition on Skype which was taped and will be submitted to the director. I'll hear back in a day or two if I got the job. They are auditioning five of us for the one spot. The guy said I did an awesome job in my audition but he may say that to each of us. Whether I get the job or not, it's good practice for me to build my confidence to up my game for more involved background roles and maybe even try out for small speaking roles. It would be great to be able to take this work to another level. Fellow BG actors have encouraged me to get an agent but I don't think I'm quite ready for that and it remains very unclear how much longer we will be living in NYC. So for now, it's feeling pretty good.
I still enjoy the work very much though I have to say, I was on a shoot for a German movie, working title is Antonio. It was a tough job because it was on a Saturday (I didn't sign up for it but was invited by one of the casting companies I'm registered with to work on it. It's hard to turn those down because you definitely want to stay on their good side for continuous work opportunities.) Anyway, we had a very challenging Production Assistant working with us Extras (a PA can make or break an Extra's day on the set) and while it was cool and breezy in the morning, it became quite hot and full sun by the afternoon. I wound up getting a sun/heat induced headache and got put behind a generator spewing out fumes for a while. I questioned myself a lot that day if this work was really worth it. It was a standard low paying job too which added to the equation. But then a cushy job comes next and it all seems okay again.
I did get a call back on the Food Network featured background job. The role is for an Aunt Martha who has to show disgust with a meal prepared by her nephew. Had to do a mini-audition on Skype which was taped and will be submitted to the director. I'll hear back in a day or two if I got the job. They are auditioning five of us for the one spot. The guy said I did an awesome job in my audition but he may say that to each of us. Whether I get the job or not, it's good practice for me to build my confidence to up my game for more involved background roles and maybe even try out for small speaking roles. It would be great to be able to take this work to another level. Fellow BG actors have encouraged me to get an agent but I don't think I'm quite ready for that and it remains very unclear how much longer we will be living in NYC. So for now, it's feeling pretty good.
I look forward to hearing which roles you get.....
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