The First Voucher

Most remember their own 'firsts'. First love, first kiss, first pet, first car and so on. For an actor pursuing a career, it is that first voucher. It means one is only two more away from becoming eligible to join the actor's union, SAG/AFTRA. As those of you following this blog have known, that is one of the reasons I chose to come to Los Angeles lo them two short years ago. Finally, it has happened, I received my first voucher!

For those of you who don't know, vouchers are what non-union actors (in this case, me) receive when they work on union films (in my case, "Hail, Caesar"). When an actor has three vouchers, they become eligible to join the union. Please take note of that word "eligible". An actor doesn't have to join the union. In fact, it is a decision one should take very carefully. Each situation is different and an actor should take stock of what it means to remain non-union or to join the union. Perhaps remaining non-union is right for an actor because they need more experience and/or more credits. Think of joining the union as going from the minor leagues in baseball to the major leagues. The actor will be auditioning for roles with fellow professionals and the competition level has increased. Joining the union is also a commitment. Think of the words spoken to Indiana Jones and "choose wisely".

(Hanging out at the location for "Hail Caesar" awaiting my turn before the camera.)

In my case, I have been submitting for anywhere from six to perhaps fifteen auditions daily since I've been here in Los Angeles. I have been able to find quite a variety of work although it has never been steady (the nature of the beast as they say), nor easy. So, I was quite pleased that after several attempts, I secured a job as a background extra on the Coen Brothers' new movie, "Hail, Caesar". In fact, I was so happy about it, I actually forgot that I'd wind up getting a voucher for it. Here is a good time to mention that if you work three days on one union project, you get three vouchers. Also, a good time to mention that they asked me to shave my beard for the part. Beards grow back, you know.

Will I join the union once I become eligible? Ahhhhhh! See above paragraphs, my friends. If the situation calls for it, yes I will. I will also be certainly letting you know the progress toward that level of commitment. For now, I will be remembering that first one.

 

Being A Tourist

Things have been going swimmingly of late and I don't even know how to swim. So, there's that. After two years here in Los Angeles I have had a lot of auditions and more than several gigs, but I rarely get to be a tourist. So, after a gig in Culver City I decided to stop at the ground zero for all that is holy here in Los Angeles, yep, Hollywood. I was tourist for awhile and now you get see a plethora of photographs I snapped, while I may or may not have been, snapping myself.



(The author at the center of Hollywood.)

They say the center of Hollywood is Hollywood Blvd. and Vine. Whether or not that is the case is moot, because I found quite a bit to photograph within a two block radius. And really, who the heck uses 'moot' in everyday conversation? Anyway, I'm a sucker for history. Check out the photos below.



(The famed Capitol Records building. Mostly known because of some obscure Liverpool rock and roll combo.)



(I have been awe of this man since I was kid. Thank goodness for reruns.)



(She started out as an actor, but then became one of the first female film directors in both film and television. Ida was one classy dame, as they used to say.)

(No better place to hang than the Hollywood & Vine subway station.)

(Blissfully unaware of the traffic, the mantis prays in Northridge.)

(Where I spend a lot of time going to and from auditions and to and from work.)

(When all else fails, Angelinos, you can always McLitter.)

So, my advice to you actors is: just relax once in awhile and be a tourist.

 

Trust The Casting Director

I ran across an interesting article that I would like to share with you all. Many moons ago I had this attitude...for a little while! It is going in for an audition thinking, "what am I doing here?", which basically guarantees that you will not be cast. The article (linked below) is a good reminder that you should trust your casting director. You weren't called in on some whim or a sprinkle of sparkles on to the floor. This attitude is not something that encompasses only young actors. I was once waiting patiently in an outer room for an audition. This older gentleman walked in, surveyed the room, and said to no one in particular, "what am I doing here?".

Trust the casting director.

http://blog.castingnetworks.com/6450
 

My Computer Has Fallen & I Can't Get Up!

Well into the 21st century it should be clear to most everyone how society has become dependent on the computer and it's pal, the internet. In the acting business this is more than fact, regardless of how behind Central Casting continues to be. Your resume is digitized, as well as your photos, your demo reel, your audition accounts and so on. So, what is an actor to do when your computer falls and it won't get back up?

As with all man-made creations, computers tend to break down. There are devices both real and virtual that will back up your data in case your computer dies, but when it dies, you are still left without access to job opportunities, and, shudder, jobs themselves. What do you do?

After it is apparent, despite how much vodka you may or may not consume, that your computer is dead and won't be getting back up, your options are pretty few indeed. Hopefully, you can borrow someone's computer, and eventually you're going to have to replace that dead computer with one that has some life in it. But, what if someone can't loan you their computer, then what? There is a ready, if limited, replacement. It's called the Los Angeles Public Library. Go into any branch and you can use their computer from one to two hours daily (except when the library is closed, of course) and at least make a dent in the audition daily hustle. You will need to get a library card and shame on you if you don't already have one! But, seriously, when your computer bites the dust, the library is your best (and perhaps only) bet to keep up on your acting career until you can get a new computer. As always, good luck, and "let's be careful out there".

 

What? It's Only Been Eighteen Months?

It's sometimes hard to believe, but I've been in Los Angeles for eighteen months. Hard to believe because it's not that long a time. I must once again extend a great, big thank you to all the people out there who have supported me in this life changing move. So, here's a brief recap of the results of the last eighteen months.



(Cavorting on Vasquez Rocks during a recent much needed trip out of LA. Photo by E. Nagode.)

I've submitted to over 850 productions. I've auditioned over 80 times. I wound up appearing in three different episodes of "One Against Dumb". I had a featured extra role in "Ataru - The First Love & The Last Kill", which I haven't seen and probably landed on the ol' cutting room floor. I appeared in "Unusual Suspects" as a Witness and in "America's Court" as a Litigant and no, I haven't seen either of those shows. Hmmm, am I detecting a trend here? Yep, I don't have cable TV. I've also appeared in a supporting role as the Theatre Producer in the short film, "Incendiary". Also, I've been on [late night show name redacted] over 50 times now, although you often wouldn't see me.

Now what? Oh, there have been a few attempts at attracting an agent without any results as yet. But, I admit it's not a top priority and I do need to get a few more credits under my belt before the "agent thing" becomes a more credible route. Certainly, the contacts I've been making have been very helpful and will continue to be so. Did I expect to be a little more along with more gigs by this point? Possibly. However, given my age range, still relative newness to the biz here in "industry town" and comparing it to the previous four years, I actually feel pretty damn lucky.
 

SCAM-a-lam-a-ding-dong!

Like with any industry/business, the entertainment one has it's share of scammers. We usually associate scammers and Hollywood with lurid fantasies about the casting couch and sweet, young gullible wannabe starlets. That may still happen here and there, however there are other more insidious scammers who readily take advantage of the wild wild west known as the internet.

It takes a judicious red flag system to know when you are falling into not an acting job but a scammer job. While some are obvious, like the "agents" who promise you jobs, yet in reality want your $500, because, this is something a real agent does not do. Craigslist can also be a breeding ground for scammers although I've actually found some work through it. It's the red flags like asking you for money upfront, wanting you to send them personal information before an audition, or asking for headshots...or maybe just a little bit more!

The few times I've been on the road to scamtown I've been able to avoid any loss of money or pride by looking out for those red flags. Even though Craigslist may be easy to pick on, if you are applying for auditions through a legitimate clearing house, scammers are lurking there, too. Let me tell you a story how I almost got scammed. I was using one of my audition clearing house sites and came across something interesting to apply for an audition. It was a one day commercial shoot at the beach and the pay was a flat buyout of $300. I sent a request and within the hour got a reply e-mail (not that unusual because the shoot date was only a few days off) which asked for a slightly red flag request. Could I send a photo of me wearing a towel as if I was at the beach? I thought "why not, no skin off my back" (so to speak) and I knew I could come up with a funny photo. Here it is:

I figured if they weren't scared off by this photo, they'd laugh and schedule me an audition. Well, they did respond a couple of hours later via e-mail waving a red flag that (one would hope) even the wannabe starlet would see. They wanted yet another photo, but this time they wanted me in a swimsuit, as they put it, "fully aroused". After I had myself a laurel and...hearty laugh, I sent them off an e-mail sans any photo attached. "Are you really that hard up you'd want to see a middle aged guy wearing a swimsuit with a hard on?"

I never received another e-mail from them.
 

When You Lose A Day

I was rather excited last week about landing a two day shoot on a TV show that at this time I can tell you little about. Yeah, that's going to be an ongoing refrain in this blog. Anyway, it was good to be in front of the camera for the first time since "Incendiary", which filmed in August.

This leads me down two avenues which will converge into one. I loved working on "Incendiary". It was one of those one day shoots that you won't forget. Then the months went by. Certainly plenty of auditions, but no in front of the camera gigs. What the hell? Then along came this two planned days gig!



(Here is a rare behind the scenes shot during a take of a scene for "Incendiary". Look closely, I'm the one behind the viewfinder.)

Since I love being on set, like a kid on a playground, I arrived early and found out I was in three short scenes. It was fun and it was like, "oh, how I missed it so" and other such inner exclamations of cliché. I even had a short solo scene, just walking, and felt good about the whole atmosphere. The cast and crew were gracious and hard working. As an actor, you'll find out, if you don't already know, how important that is.

Then came the news. I was only needed one day after all, not two days. Hmm, well that is too bad I thought. Not only because I had a great time, but because of the less money aspect of the news. I must stress here, my friends, that this was not a guaranteed two day gig. It was one of many gigs available that are, up front, one, two, three, or possibly whatever amount of days. A lot of that comes down to the type of contract you signed. But, that's not what I am here for.

Now here is where the avenues converge. The avenue of keep trying during your droughts of no on camera work and the avenue of not allowing bad news to ruin a great day on the set. Of course no one wants to go through a drought and no one wants to lose a day of shooting and pay. I realize that I was spoiled my first few months in Los Angeles. I was getting several bookings and then it happened. That creeping sensation when you have gone two months without a gig and then three and so forth, and as they say, so on. But you have got to persevere, not only with constant daily submissions but also with constant, when need be, submissions to TV shows asking for characters you really match.

When it comes to losing a scheduled day because of whatever occurrence which you, as an actor, truly have no control over, go home happy. Because you love your work and because you do like being like a kid playing on the playground.
 

We're All Poor Here

The other day I was standing in a line with a bunch of other actors and, of course, the wannabes, outside a studio in Hollywood. As I was feeling pretty good about securing a gig, I pulled out a fresh pouch of tobacco and rolled a cigarette (that skill is listed on my resume). A guy standing next me remarked how quickly I rolled my smoke and sure enough I was maybe three drags in before he asked if I'd roll him one.

I didn't have a problem with that and within sixty seconds he had his own cigarette. He again remarked how fast I rolled and how evenly the tobacco was distributed. I thanked him and we chatted for a bit about "the biz". Apparently, word spread fast along the line of two facts: one, I had tobacco and two, I could roll pretty fast; for within a brief few minutes a fellow came up asking for a smoke. Again, no problem, I was already in a good mood. Seconds later, yet another fellow came up wanting a smoke. I then joked that I should set up a little table and charge 50 cents a pop.

When the fifth person came up to bum a smoke, another fellow who was standing next me and had been observing this scene finally piped up in a very clear, loud theatrical voice, tinged with just the correct amount of bitterness and regret. He exclaimed, "You guys should get your own tobacco. We're all poor here!". I paused. He was absolutely correct. The cigarette hand-out was over. It's not that I'm against handing out a smoke every few days as I wander the mean streets of Los Angeles, but the fellow was right. We were all standing in the line for the same reason: get a gig, get some money, pay some bills and eat a little something.

(photo by Tammy Harrel-Fraley)