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.

 

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.
 

The First Year

Here it is already: my first year anniversary of being an actor in Los Angeles. At times the year flew by and at other times it seemed to drag. Now a look back, both pro and con, over the last year.

(photo by E. L. Nagode)

I will do the con list first because it is shorter. I live too far from where most of the studios are, resulting in sometimes rather long commutes. Of course, working harder and making more money would result in the funding to move closer to the action, as it were. It's as hard to secure a "regular job" here as it was in Portland. However, sure attrition will eventually work in my favor. Finally, I lost my food benefits due to a paperwork error and spending what little money on food has been a bit of an issue lately. Yet, see above: hard work to get gigs to make more money.

See what I did there? Every con had a way to improve it to a pro. You have to think like that here otherwise the city may indeed swallow you whole without too much mercy. You have to be constantly "pimping" and you must be able to figure out the best way out of any bad situation.

(photo by Jovan Jupiter)

Now, the pro list. It is longer, so long in fact, I will focus on only a few of them. I haven't made much money acting here, but I have made more in the last year than my last 5 years in Portland. There's that word again, "money". It's the necessary evil of our society and the more of it I make, the better able I can take care of not only myself, but others. I have submitted to over 500 productions and have auditioned over 70 times. It's beyond my expectations and it's always nice to see a casting agent more than once. From this work at finding work I have slowly built up a resume of Los Angeles acting work.

First, the short videos I did for Ralph Wong. Not only were they my first gigs here, they also allowed me to ride the bicycle again and realize I'm not going to fall over. Then there was my guest appearance on "America's Court" which they say has aired, but I have yet to see it. Yep, don't waste too much time trying to find your work, you have more important things to do. Then there was the excitement of working on the Japanese/American production of the movie spin-off of the popular Japanese TV show, "Ataru". When will it be released in the United States? Working on the short film, "Incendiary", was a total joy more than likely due to the fact that improving lines was allowed. I have also recently been working a steady gig that I cannot tell you any more about. Yes, you better learn what a confidentiality agreement is all about.

(About to "strangle" the star of "Incendiary".)

The weather. It's perhaps not too surprising that would make the pro list. I don't have any problem leaving behind the months per year of rain and cold that Portland provided. Finally, the area itself. It is steeped in the kind of history I've been studying for decades. The history of film and television. So many famous locations are around it will take years just to see most of them. Vasquez Rocks, Franklin Lake and a couple of cemeteries, just to name a few.

It's been quite a year of learning about my new location and the industry that is film and television. Some transitions have been smooth while others have not and always there is the persistent belief that I can actually do something I love, acting. I can do it well and with conviction and perhaps someday soon it will reward me with not only a decent living but a wealth of new friends and, of course, new blog posts.

Until next year, from Los Angeles, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.