Well, it's the start of my 4th week at the radio station, and things are starting to fall into place. I know what the job entails and what is expected of me. It has been an adjustment and a lot of trial and error. It feels good to have a job that I can set a goal and accomplish it. When I was acting full time, there was never any certainty of anything. All empty promises. Sure, there are good things that came from it, and I learned a lot. But I was missing the point the entire time. I was doing everything on my own. It didn't matter how much effort I was putting into finding the work, and going to work. At the end of the day, there wasn't anyone there that cared how much of an effort I made to get the job. There was no fellowship, there wasn't any positivity. I was in the mix of a sea of people who were all out for themselves.
For the past 4 years I slowly lost some of the best qualities God gave me. I put all my focus and energy into making sure I had work the following day, and when the day was done, I neglected any blessings God had put in my path. When I started to fully commit to acting, all my beliefs, friendships, and relationships had started to slowly fall to the waist side. And I made some of the same mistakes more than once. I wasn't being a man. Sadly, when God wants to wake you up, he doesn't just give you a smack on the back of the head. He pulls the rug right from under you and you fall hard. God intervened in my life recently that really made an impact on my life, and the repercussions have been too much to bear at times. I will admit that I am a broken man, it's mostly why I haven't written to much in the past month or so. I'm getting my mind right.
William Booth said, "The greatness of a man's power is in the measure of his surrender." That is what God wants us to do. He wants us to surrender to him so that we may live the life he has planned for us. Unfortunately, I surrendered myself to what I thought it took to be successful in the entertainment industry. I wasn't being a man of God, or even a man for that matter. I was a guy who thought he was focused and thought that all his hard days were behind him. Not the case.
In my heart I have always known that I wanted a christian home, a family, with 3 kids, and a job that can provide for them. By going after acting, I found that it was all about me in the present time, not looking to the future that I know God has for me. With the lifestyle I had fallen into, there is NO WAY I could be the man/husband/father that could take care of his children and wife. When I realized this concept, I broke down and cried (not one of my finer moments). I cried because I wasn't being the man God wanted me to become at this point in my life. It is too much for me to bear to go through such heartache again. To me, those are the most important things in life, family and fellowship, and how could I have those things with the mindset I had created over the past couple years. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen overnight or with a snap of fingers.
With this new job, it has helped me find myself again. I say this because it has given me stability back in my life. My hours of operation aren't 15 hour days. I can go and worship with people my age again on a weeknight. I can save money for the future again. Friends, Family, and relationships have always meant the world to me, and I want to show all of you again the person you feel in love with. For those of you who have met me in the last couple years, you met me on my way down. Please forgive me. I will not stay the man who worries about money (God will provide) worries about petty things (God will provide)gets irritated with his fellow man (ask God for patience). I'm finally becoming the man God meant for me to be.
"Surrender your whole being to him, to be used for righteous purposes." - Romans 6:13
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
New Venture: Radio
Well, as most of you know, I got the job working at Amp Radio here in Los Angeles. For those of you who don't live down here, this radio plays "today's hits," top 40 songs. As most of you know, I am a pop culture fanatic. So coming into the job, I already had a lot of knowledge as to what was going on in the music industry. The building is really cool. It is also part of the world famous KROQ radio station that plays rock music. The coolest part is to walk down halls lined with platinum plaques of almost every artist you can think of. So the environment is really comfortable for me. It reminds of my first day of walking onto a studio lot. Just knowing of all the history that had been made there. I got the same feeling as I walked through the same halls rock stars have before me.
My co-workers are really open and really cool. I am the only male in my department. So they said it was a nice change to have me around. Ha Ha Ha. It feels to have co-workers again. Doing background work you see some of the same people every once in awhile, but even sometimes they aren't the people I talk to. They are just a familiar face. I have fellowship once again, and have the sense of building friendships with these people. What is also cool about the job, is that all the other jobs I have had in the past have prepared me in different areas. Because of my background of working for Enterprise Rent a Car, I am able to drive around the big cars to the events. My sales job taught me skills of how to talk to people over the phone the right way. Doing background acting got me familiar with the greater L.A. area and it's odd hour schedule has made me fit in just fine.
Another surreal moment was knowing that I work under DJ Carson Daly. I watched TRL every weekday for the 10 years it was on. Back in high school I never thought that one day I would actually be working at the same radio station and maybe follow in his same steps that got him to where he is today. The job requires a lot of talking to people and giving input on how to make the station better and keep up with our rival station, KIIS Fm.
To answer some questions, I have not given up on acting all together. This job also allows me to keep my regular spot on "How I Met Your Mother" and to go to auditions and still work background. I just NEVER have to do it every day EVER again. It is now a job to keep me in the know, and to fill in the holes during the week; if there are days to fill that is. Radio is another aspect of entertainment that has great opportunity. Now, after 4 years of hustling, I have accomplished all I could do in that area. With a steady job, with an actual ladder to climb, and to be able to still audition is very ideal. I can now finally save money to start a family AND do what I love at the same time. Thank you to everyone that has prayed for me and kept me from not going losing my mind. . . completely. I can't wait to see where this new path takes me, and can't wait to see how God will help continue to help me grow.
In times like these, I look to the bible verse my mom gave me the day I was born;
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
My co-workers are really open and really cool. I am the only male in my department. So they said it was a nice change to have me around. Ha Ha Ha. It feels to have co-workers again. Doing background work you see some of the same people every once in awhile, but even sometimes they aren't the people I talk to. They are just a familiar face. I have fellowship once again, and have the sense of building friendships with these people. What is also cool about the job, is that all the other jobs I have had in the past have prepared me in different areas. Because of my background of working for Enterprise Rent a Car, I am able to drive around the big cars to the events. My sales job taught me skills of how to talk to people over the phone the right way. Doing background acting got me familiar with the greater L.A. area and it's odd hour schedule has made me fit in just fine.
Another surreal moment was knowing that I work under DJ Carson Daly. I watched TRL every weekday for the 10 years it was on. Back in high school I never thought that one day I would actually be working at the same radio station and maybe follow in his same steps that got him to where he is today. The job requires a lot of talking to people and giving input on how to make the station better and keep up with our rival station, KIIS Fm.
To answer some questions, I have not given up on acting all together. This job also allows me to keep my regular spot on "How I Met Your Mother" and to go to auditions and still work background. I just NEVER have to do it every day EVER again. It is now a job to keep me in the know, and to fill in the holes during the week; if there are days to fill that is. Radio is another aspect of entertainment that has great opportunity. Now, after 4 years of hustling, I have accomplished all I could do in that area. With a steady job, with an actual ladder to climb, and to be able to still audition is very ideal. I can now finally save money to start a family AND do what I love at the same time. Thank you to everyone that has prayed for me and kept me from not going losing my mind. . . completely. I can't wait to see where this new path takes me, and can't wait to see how God will help continue to help me grow.
In times like these, I look to the bible verse my mom gave me the day I was born;
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Spinning Wheels
So I never heard back from the radio station about the job. I did write a follow up letter to keep me fresh in their minds. I got an email back saying they got it. But nothing since. Normally this wouldn't have an effect on me, but a man can only take so much for so long. Due to the lack of work and auditions in the past 4 months, I feel like I am in career limbo. The question of, 'do i work a job I love and make little to no money, or work a job that is tolerable and be financially stable?"
This is a question that EVERYONE deals with. I've had people tell me that they admire that I am going for my dream and not settling for just any job. Just like any dream job, it's sometimes next to impossible to achieve. Mine consists of being in the right place at the right time, 80% of the time. After giving it my hardest for 4 years, I feel like I don't really have much to show for it. Most people when they spend 4 years at the same job they receive multiple raises and promotions. That is a sense of accomplishment and reward for your hard work. Now imagine if you hadn't received even just a pat on the back for all the hustling and hard work you've done for 4 years. . . That's pretty much how I feel. As humans, God made us to encourage each other and give a helping hand to our fallen brother/sister. When there is a void in that area of our lives, it's hard somethings to find motivation to continue with the path that has been taken.
God says, "Just ask me, and I will begin to share with you the dreams I have for you life and for all of humanity. You can talk to me about the small stuff, or you can listen to me, and I will let you in on what I am thinking. It's going to be big!" It's hard to read that and hope that it happens tomorrow. Everything takes time, this I am aware, but my rent and bills can't be paid in prayer vouchers. So that's why it's hard sometimes to put my trust in God when my accomplishments are so small. I understand that small accomplishments sometimes are the pieces to the big picture, but I am also human so I struggle with every day problems. Plus, nothings easy when family lives so far away. Family is the best foundation we have, and when you only get that "home" feeling once, twice a year it can wear down on you after awhile. I have been blessed with the Watkins' and Geller families down here, they have provided me with fellowship and that good ol' family feeling. And that helps ten fold.
If you are at work day dreaming about a path that you should have taken, just remember that you didn't make a mistake by not doing it. Right now you are making a steady paycheck and working towards accomplishing that goal later in life. Make sure if you know someone you admire, tell them. Odds are they are really struggling and could really use some words of encouragement. They are going against the grain every day to make it a reality so they don't have to settle for just anything. Sadly enough it's easy to lose yourself in the process, because it's hard and negativity surrounds them. I've lost myself before and have come back. Although, it's harder each time than the last to bounce back. If you are reading this, then that means you support me, and I thank you.
Erwin McManus says, "Your circumstances do not determine your opportunities. Or if they do, it may well be quite the opposite than you expect. The more challenging your circumstances, the greater your opportunity to see God raise you to new levels of living."
This is a question that EVERYONE deals with. I've had people tell me that they admire that I am going for my dream and not settling for just any job. Just like any dream job, it's sometimes next to impossible to achieve. Mine consists of being in the right place at the right time, 80% of the time. After giving it my hardest for 4 years, I feel like I don't really have much to show for it. Most people when they spend 4 years at the same job they receive multiple raises and promotions. That is a sense of accomplishment and reward for your hard work. Now imagine if you hadn't received even just a pat on the back for all the hustling and hard work you've done for 4 years. . . That's pretty much how I feel. As humans, God made us to encourage each other and give a helping hand to our fallen brother/sister. When there is a void in that area of our lives, it's hard somethings to find motivation to continue with the path that has been taken.
God says, "Just ask me, and I will begin to share with you the dreams I have for you life and for all of humanity. You can talk to me about the small stuff, or you can listen to me, and I will let you in on what I am thinking. It's going to be big!" It's hard to read that and hope that it happens tomorrow. Everything takes time, this I am aware, but my rent and bills can't be paid in prayer vouchers. So that's why it's hard sometimes to put my trust in God when my accomplishments are so small. I understand that small accomplishments sometimes are the pieces to the big picture, but I am also human so I struggle with every day problems. Plus, nothings easy when family lives so far away. Family is the best foundation we have, and when you only get that "home" feeling once, twice a year it can wear down on you after awhile. I have been blessed with the Watkins' and Geller families down here, they have provided me with fellowship and that good ol' family feeling. And that helps ten fold.
If you are at work day dreaming about a path that you should have taken, just remember that you didn't make a mistake by not doing it. Right now you are making a steady paycheck and working towards accomplishing that goal later in life. Make sure if you know someone you admire, tell them. Odds are they are really struggling and could really use some words of encouragement. They are going against the grain every day to make it a reality so they don't have to settle for just anything. Sadly enough it's easy to lose yourself in the process, because it's hard and negativity surrounds them. I've lost myself before and have come back. Although, it's harder each time than the last to bounce back. If you are reading this, then that means you support me, and I thank you.
Erwin McManus says, "Your circumstances do not determine your opportunities. Or if they do, it may well be quite the opposite than you expect. The more challenging your circumstances, the greater your opportunity to see God raise you to new levels of living."
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Burn Notice
Well, it's been a minute since I have written anything. A lot of it has been because I wasn't working that often and didn't really have much to write about that would be very interesting. I also took the time to get my mind again. I had to teach myself to not let my environment get the best of me again. That just doesn't happen over night. The last couple months I have been spending some much needed quality time with the Lord. My girlfriend has also been my biggest supporter and is someone who I look up to when it comes to staying focused and being positive.
During this time of pulling myself back together, I had one of those moments where you wake up one day and decide that you will not do what you're doing anymore. In my case, i got tired of calling my phone number every 10 mins for 10 hours of my day for work. I had reached the end of my rope of getting rejected and being on hold for hours in day. I was burned out. 4 years of doing this took it's toll. So I decided to get a call in service for me. I did my research and found one that was best for me and of whom I heard the most positive about. So for $65 a month, I pay them to do all the work for me. It has taken a lot of the weight off my shoulders. Although, what I have to find out, is that they don't find you work for every day out of the week,and you STILL have to do most of the work. I knew that this came with the territory, but it is one of those things where you got to do it for yourself so you can experience it.
I still feel like I'm staring at a wall in the way of my goal, and I got to figure out a way to get over it. So, this has come with a lot of time thinking about my next move and options. I have a lot of options, but one thing that is most important is to think about is my future. I want to get married, I want to have a family, and I want to be able to provide. I can't have those things by doing what I have been doing for the past 4 years. I have accomplished all that there is to accomplish doing background acting (become SAG eligible and network). I have thought about going back to some of my sales jobs and marketing. But that would mean I would never back into the industry, because you can't spend too much time away. So I have spent a lot of time applying to assistant, production, and internship jobs. Tomorrow I have an interview at Amp Radio. Amp Radio is a station in Los Angeles that plays popular pop music. Which is up my alley because that is hobby of mine. To get a part time job there would help me start from the bottom and work my way up. It would also provide with a steady paycheck and stability for my life that is always so random.
I will always work in entertainment. The trick is to find a steady job you know that can provide and have a way to move up the chain. After doing background work for so long you really start to notice that it's a bottomless hole. You get free food, some down time, and every once and awhile you meet a celebrity. If you like that lifestyle, then that's cool. But I would rather by that celebrity that meets you. So in order to do that, you got to jump back out of comfort, find a way over the wall and keep going. I might not ever become famous, but as long I can provide for my family and still go to a job I love, then I call that happiness. But you can't do it by waiting for it to fall in your lap. You also got to put all your faith in God and trust that he will provide. God knows the future, so we are safe in His hands.
"If there was something that I committed myself to, I don't think there is anything that could stop me." - Will Smith
During this time of pulling myself back together, I had one of those moments where you wake up one day and decide that you will not do what you're doing anymore. In my case, i got tired of calling my phone number every 10 mins for 10 hours of my day for work. I had reached the end of my rope of getting rejected and being on hold for hours in day. I was burned out. 4 years of doing this took it's toll. So I decided to get a call in service for me. I did my research and found one that was best for me and of whom I heard the most positive about. So for $65 a month, I pay them to do all the work for me. It has taken a lot of the weight off my shoulders. Although, what I have to find out, is that they don't find you work for every day out of the week,and you STILL have to do most of the work. I knew that this came with the territory, but it is one of those things where you got to do it for yourself so you can experience it.
I still feel like I'm staring at a wall in the way of my goal, and I got to figure out a way to get over it. So, this has come with a lot of time thinking about my next move and options. I have a lot of options, but one thing that is most important is to think about is my future. I want to get married, I want to have a family, and I want to be able to provide. I can't have those things by doing what I have been doing for the past 4 years. I have accomplished all that there is to accomplish doing background acting (become SAG eligible and network). I have thought about going back to some of my sales jobs and marketing. But that would mean I would never back into the industry, because you can't spend too much time away. So I have spent a lot of time applying to assistant, production, and internship jobs. Tomorrow I have an interview at Amp Radio. Amp Radio is a station in Los Angeles that plays popular pop music. Which is up my alley because that is hobby of mine. To get a part time job there would help me start from the bottom and work my way up. It would also provide with a steady paycheck and stability for my life that is always so random.
I will always work in entertainment. The trick is to find a steady job you know that can provide and have a way to move up the chain. After doing background work for so long you really start to notice that it's a bottomless hole. You get free food, some down time, and every once and awhile you meet a celebrity. If you like that lifestyle, then that's cool. But I would rather by that celebrity that meets you. So in order to do that, you got to jump back out of comfort, find a way over the wall and keep going. I might not ever become famous, but as long I can provide for my family and still go to a job I love, then I call that happiness. But you can't do it by waiting for it to fall in your lap. You also got to put all your faith in God and trust that he will provide. God knows the future, so we are safe in His hands.
"If there was something that I committed myself to, I don't think there is anything that could stop me." - Will Smith
Monday, July 26, 2010
Growing Pains
In the movie 'The Dark Knight' Harvey Dent says "the night is always darkest before the dawn." This is how this part of the year usually feels for me. The month of July has been so short on work that it's hard not to be negative and question myself. The problem that I've had in the past is, that even when I was busy, I was still negative. This has been going on for years. It wasn't until recently that an amazing friend had really brought it to my attention. I knew I had my moments, but I was worse than I ever thought I could be. It has been because of this that I have ruined relationships and even lost respect from the people that mean the most to me. If i had kept up this pattern, I would lose friendships and family support. For those who have loved and lost, you know that the pain sometimes is too much take. And for what? To be in a Pizza Hut commercial? That's not worth it to me. So for the past 6 weeks I took some time aside in my day to contemplate how to turn this around. Which required a lot of personal time with the Big Guy upstairs.
One of the things that I realized, was how much the people on set really affected me. When you break down a day on set, you will find that there is very little positivity. I am part of a crowd that is all struggling, all have personal problems, and deal with rejection on a daily basis. You might say that no matter who you are, you deal with these struggles. I will agree with that. But let me put it this way;
In between scenes, all of us background go to a holding room/tent/parking lot and spend time together. So imagine yourself surrounded by 100 people who are complaining about the food, the weather, SAG Vouchers, how hard they work, how much they don't work, they're divorced, and so on and so on. There is nothing more draining than to listen to that all day, while at the same time, I am trying to focus on finding work for the next day, and I have been rejected 4 times before noon. You got to imagine, that when my 14 hour day is done, I am running on empty, emotionally. Physically, my body is at 100%, but emotionally a person can only take so much a day. This is something I have been doing day in, and day out for 4 years. Over those years, the industry has chipped away at some of my greater qualities that gave me an awesome start in the beginning. It's only been by the grace of God and support from friends and family that I have haven't gone completely insane.
I'm not saying that I blame my job or the work environment on my downfall. Those were simply the tiny push in the wrong direction and I was the one who let it get the best of me. You can never blame one thing, or one person for your misfortunes. All they are is be the first domino in the effect that leads to everything falling down. That's what I did, I let a few events get the best of me and I didn't rely on God for his help. Or trust him when I needed to the most. If I had caught that years ago, things would have happened a lot differently. But that doesn't matter now. What matters is that I now realize it and can move forward.
The best conclusion that I came to, was to go back to the time, before I was affected by the environment I had become apart of. Before I became my own worst enemy. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. This all goes with what I wrote in the blog 'Shadow of the Day,' I have realized my mistakes and know what I need to do to turn this all around. And it all starts with swallowing my pride and going back to square one. God has given me some amazing friends in my life, and has put them in my life for a reason. And to drive them away with my attitude and negativity would be the biggest mistake I could EVER make. That would be a pain I couldn't bare. If I stay where I am, I won't move upward. I will stay in the same place and slowly slide back down. I will keep driving people away, and miss out on what God's bigger plan is. God says "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know."
So for those of you who have stuck it out with me for all these years, I can't thank you enough. I never thought that chasing after my dream would cause me to lose myself in the process. "The question isn't 'what should I be doing?' but 'who am I becoming?' Self awareness is one of the most critical characteristics of personal effectiveness and productivity. There is no growth without change, no change without fear or loss, and no loss without pain...This is why you cannot grow without a humble, teachable attitude." -Rick Warren
One of the things that I realized, was how much the people on set really affected me. When you break down a day on set, you will find that there is very little positivity. I am part of a crowd that is all struggling, all have personal problems, and deal with rejection on a daily basis. You might say that no matter who you are, you deal with these struggles. I will agree with that. But let me put it this way;
In between scenes, all of us background go to a holding room/tent/parking lot and spend time together. So imagine yourself surrounded by 100 people who are complaining about the food, the weather, SAG Vouchers, how hard they work, how much they don't work, they're divorced, and so on and so on. There is nothing more draining than to listen to that all day, while at the same time, I am trying to focus on finding work for the next day, and I have been rejected 4 times before noon. You got to imagine, that when my 14 hour day is done, I am running on empty, emotionally. Physically, my body is at 100%, but emotionally a person can only take so much a day. This is something I have been doing day in, and day out for 4 years. Over those years, the industry has chipped away at some of my greater qualities that gave me an awesome start in the beginning. It's only been by the grace of God and support from friends and family that I have haven't gone completely insane.
I'm not saying that I blame my job or the work environment on my downfall. Those were simply the tiny push in the wrong direction and I was the one who let it get the best of me. You can never blame one thing, or one person for your misfortunes. All they are is be the first domino in the effect that leads to everything falling down. That's what I did, I let a few events get the best of me and I didn't rely on God for his help. Or trust him when I needed to the most. If I had caught that years ago, things would have happened a lot differently. But that doesn't matter now. What matters is that I now realize it and can move forward.
The best conclusion that I came to, was to go back to the time, before I was affected by the environment I had become apart of. Before I became my own worst enemy. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. This all goes with what I wrote in the blog 'Shadow of the Day,' I have realized my mistakes and know what I need to do to turn this all around. And it all starts with swallowing my pride and going back to square one. God has given me some amazing friends in my life, and has put them in my life for a reason. And to drive them away with my attitude and negativity would be the biggest mistake I could EVER make. That would be a pain I couldn't bare. If I stay where I am, I won't move upward. I will stay in the same place and slowly slide back down. I will keep driving people away, and miss out on what God's bigger plan is. God says "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know."
So for those of you who have stuck it out with me for all these years, I can't thank you enough. I never thought that chasing after my dream would cause me to lose myself in the process. "The question isn't 'what should I be doing?' but 'who am I becoming?' Self awareness is one of the most critical characteristics of personal effectiveness and productivity. There is no growth without change, no change without fear or loss, and no loss without pain...This is why you cannot grow without a humble, teachable attitude." -Rick Warren
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Airplanes
This is a video I made to show the two different sides that I struggle with while trying accomplishing being an actor. One side is the guy who sits and watches the world pass by him. He waits for that one phone call that will fix all his problems. The other side is a guy who stays focused and works hard. He sends out head shots, goes to auditions, and works on his craft. The best therapy for me is to express what I am feeling and put it in the form of a video. It helps me stay in the creative mind space. So hope you all enjoy, and please let me know what you think. It looks better if you watch it smaller than making it "fit to screen." But for those of you with "special eyes" make it bigger.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Raging Bull
Last week I started my commercial acting class level 3 with casting director Chris Game. I took level 1 last summer and level 2 in the fall. So I was happy to go to the next level and learn more of what I can do better and clean up a few loose ends. Chris has gotten me a table read for a film, an brought me in for two separate film auditions. So taking his class again shows him that I show commitment and take his word serious. I come to find out last night that he cast Jason Segel in a small film 10 years ago. I had mentioned to him that I am a regular on 'How I Met Your Mother' and have met him on a couple different occasions. So that sparked up a conversation, and when the show comes back in a couple weeks, when I get an opportunity, mention to Jason about Chris and see if can make some networking come together.
Last Friday Chris had asked me to come in and audition for a short film. It was for a part that was a white trash type of character. It was down in Santa Monica, which isn't a bad drive, but what I thought was going to be a quick process, turned into me sitting around for over an hour and a half. Which put me on the 405 HWY at 4pm on a FRIDAY. But at least I got an audition and kept my mind fresh.
The other day, as I was writing my other blog, I had gotten a call from my agency for a callback for the show 'Californication.' Which was a HUGE blessing, because not only did it provide me with work, but I didn't have to spend my day on the phone looking for work. Plus I had a few friends working on it that day too which helped. Although, I did have a run in with my favorite guy, who I like to refer as 'the dude.' The dude, is this guy I see more than I would like. He always asking me about how to get SAG vouchers and wonders why his agent isn't doing it for him. After an hour of this, I had to tell the guy what time it was. I told him that he needed to accept the fact that it's a process and can't put all his faith in an agent who is just looking for quantity and not quality for his clients. I didn't mean to come off as a dick, but I hear these conversations everyday, and people are looking for instant gratification when it comes to this job.
The reason people expect instant gratification is because there are stories, very few, of actors who go to one audition, get the part, and start working right off the bat. When they come in with that mind set, and get rejected a couple times, their confidence is shot to hell. Which is great for me, because it cleans out the riff raft. But on the flip side when those people go away, and whole new batch fills in their spots. That's the part that is mentally draining is hearing the negativity. But that's what an iPod is for right?
"The talent is in the choices." - Robert de Niro
Last Friday Chris had asked me to come in and audition for a short film. It was for a part that was a white trash type of character. It was down in Santa Monica, which isn't a bad drive, but what I thought was going to be a quick process, turned into me sitting around for over an hour and a half. Which put me on the 405 HWY at 4pm on a FRIDAY. But at least I got an audition and kept my mind fresh.
The other day, as I was writing my other blog, I had gotten a call from my agency for a callback for the show 'Californication.' Which was a HUGE blessing, because not only did it provide me with work, but I didn't have to spend my day on the phone looking for work. Plus I had a few friends working on it that day too which helped. Although, I did have a run in with my favorite guy, who I like to refer as 'the dude.' The dude, is this guy I see more than I would like. He always asking me about how to get SAG vouchers and wonders why his agent isn't doing it for him. After an hour of this, I had to tell the guy what time it was. I told him that he needed to accept the fact that it's a process and can't put all his faith in an agent who is just looking for quantity and not quality for his clients. I didn't mean to come off as a dick, but I hear these conversations everyday, and people are looking for instant gratification when it comes to this job.
The reason people expect instant gratification is because there are stories, very few, of actors who go to one audition, get the part, and start working right off the bat. When they come in with that mind set, and get rejected a couple times, their confidence is shot to hell. Which is great for me, because it cleans out the riff raft. But on the flip side when those people go away, and whole new batch fills in their spots. That's the part that is mentally draining is hearing the negativity. But that's what an iPod is for right?
"The talent is in the choices." - Robert de Niro
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