I SMELL NICE AND FLOWERY
Valentines Week I was, of course, back at the flower shop. Nothing terribly exciting to speak of. It was the same old same old delivering flowers, which in L.A. means 10% driving, 85% finding parking, and 5% loading the van and actually handing off the flowers. Which meant by the end of the week I was happy to be riding the bus again, although with no job there is no place to take the bus to.
Then it was back to the job search. All leads dried up fast. I know its desperate when I start looking at pyramid sales schemes and scratching my head.
Of course, the reality is that I should note this all as a reminder of why I moved to Los Angeles ten years ago in the first place... and why was that? Damn... I barely remember. Something about making movies...
Alas, on the same day I dredged out my Social Security Card to copy to send as part of a job application, I ran across a long lost copy of a short story I've been wanting to adapt for years now. And while on the bus, coming home for the flower shop, I came up with the first new idea for a film that has excited me in a long time.
So, I'll state it right here: tomorrow I get off my ass and start writing again. Update in the next blog
Saturday, February 07, 2004
CASTING COUCH ACTION
Yesterday spent the day working at a friend's casting office. They were holding auditions for a film about the start of the Mormons, and while they sat in a room listening to actor after actor read lines from the script, I answered phones, greeted budded thespians as they arrived, and sifted through headshots that had been mailed in to the company. I spent most of time flipping through the women's photos and resumes, playing the old "who would I like to sleep with - a, or b?" game. Casting couch action in my head. While I was getting paid. Not a bad little gig.
I've always believed that actors have the toughest role in this town. They can study their craft for years, work their butts off to get noticed, and even the most talented, skilled actor won't ever get a role. Most actors are happy just to audition. Truly a career only to get involved in for the love of the craft. When I hear of friends who have "hit it big", it has meant they've been cast in a bit part on NYPD Blue as a dominatrix or, better yet, as a dancing pickle on a Quiznos commercial.
Many of the headshots reek of the resulting desperation. While many actors will simply send in the best conservative shot they have of themseves, stapled back to back with their list of "credits" (community theatre they've been in, soap operas they've worked as extras on), others will include a handwritten note explaining why they're perfect for the role, candy, and in on guys case, a condom - stapled to a cover letter explaining how he and the rubber are alike (both get deep into roles, etc.).
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Next week is my ninth at the Westwood Flower Garden... why do I do this to myself? Oh, yeah... I need the money.
Yesterday spent the day working at a friend's casting office. They were holding auditions for a film about the start of the Mormons, and while they sat in a room listening to actor after actor read lines from the script, I answered phones, greeted budded thespians as they arrived, and sifted through headshots that had been mailed in to the company. I spent most of time flipping through the women's photos and resumes, playing the old "who would I like to sleep with - a, or b?" game. Casting couch action in my head. While I was getting paid. Not a bad little gig.
I've always believed that actors have the toughest role in this town. They can study their craft for years, work their butts off to get noticed, and even the most talented, skilled actor won't ever get a role. Most actors are happy just to audition. Truly a career only to get involved in for the love of the craft. When I hear of friends who have "hit it big", it has meant they've been cast in a bit part on NYPD Blue as a dominatrix or, better yet, as a dancing pickle on a Quiznos commercial.
Many of the headshots reek of the resulting desperation. While many actors will simply send in the best conservative shot they have of themseves, stapled back to back with their list of "credits" (community theatre they've been in, soap operas they've worked as extras on), others will include a handwritten note explaining why they're perfect for the role, candy, and in on guys case, a condom - stapled to a cover letter explaining how he and the rubber are alike (both get deep into roles, etc.).
----
Next week is my ninth at the Westwood Flower Garden... why do I do this to myself? Oh, yeah... I need the money.
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