Actor Growth

Haven’t worked on this show since the pilot. Today was a doozy too as it was filmed outside in the scorching sun and I would say a good half of us got some kind of sun burn or sun tan by working on this set. The keyword for me working on this set was network circle I thought.

It was so interesting that this is kind of the first day I worked on a set where I knew someone personally in most of the departments through my acting journey thus far. For example, a production assistant that was working on set happened to be the sound person for a volunteer film where I was acting in where his friend and himself was making. One of the actors who is playing a frequently occurring role in this series is a person I know from doing background work. The list went on.

That definitely showed how small of a world it is and in many ways it’s reassuring too that the work and connections I have made from the past definitely do come back up in my future endeavors. There was one funny moment during the day where the lead actor Eric Stoltz flipped us while the camera was rolling. Basically, he was off camera and in the scene we were all suppose to be super mad. So as a joke while we were still yelling and all he decided to do that. A lot of people almost broke character too because of that which was hilarious.

Recently I was asked by my agency if I wanted to do some simple background work for an upcoming movie. It would be pretty demanding too as they wanted people for about 2 full weeks. The hours were pretty gruesome it seemed such as some of them starting at like 4am and the travel time would take about 40 minutes with a car. As well, some of the scenes required some physically demanding stuff.

However, unfortunately I was told that the pay scale would be the minimum bottom of the barrel pay and therefore it simply wasn’t worth it and I turned it down. My reasons were pretty simple as not only did I have to sacrifice a lot potentially to be there for minimum pay, but opportunity wise it’s not like this was anything that would greatly help my acting ambitions.

So the bottom line, if I don’t feel it is something that I would be passionate in doing with the opportunity being more “I just need bodies” type of arrangement, it comes down to the money as that is the only real reason why I would do the work. Even I have my personal limitations.

So my agent called me today and told me that Stargate Universe was interested in booking me again tomorrow for some background work. Unfortunately, as you all know I have the audition tomorrow. At first my agent asked if it was changeable and I did phone the producers. Apparently, it wasn’t possible due to the short notice and that there are over 50 people auditioning for the role.

As a result, I decided to go for the audition instead of the paid background work as to me auditioning for this feature can potentially do more for my career as opposed to working as a background guy. The only drawback to not taking the Stargate Universe work is apparently whoever does the casting has me in a “just call” type of mentality as I suppose I have a good reliable track record.

But, I think this is the best decision for me.

I got a message today from my agent as I got booked for two days of background work for a film. Later on in the day I got a phone call from a friend that wanted to shoot a film. Unfortunately, I had to decline it because I was booked for work.

That is a decision that I debate about many times. For example, even though doing volunteer work means no pay, as long as it helps me in my acting career and at the same time provides me with more film work experience I usually would opt to do that over things like paying background work.

I suppose what helps a lot with that decision is that I am not as needy financially like a lot of other artists and so I can base my decision more on growth and potential. But who knows. Maybe I’ll get a good upgrade opportunity on set too and at minimum I usually get to meet great people.

Recently my agent has been telling me that all of my calls for background work has apparently been special requests from the casting director of the show. Usually when it is they just ask if I am available to work on a certain day or not. It was the same thing with my previous agent as well.

I know a lot of people would say background work is a waste of time, but I personally think it is a fun and great way to do something at least to help make contacts while learning all the behind the scenes production.

I remember my last agent told me too that usually if you become known as the reliable person that you will most like be one of the first in line to be considered whenever possible for an upgrade to do things like stunts and principal roles should it become available. So if you think about it, it can be just like going to another audition.

Hopefully all of these special requests will turn out to be something good.

I got my call time recently and it looks like it is going to be a snoozer as the shooting won’t start until the late evening. This is highly likely going to go into the late early mornings as a result.

One thing that came to mind is how the new agency I am with when it comes to background with is that they neglect to inform me about the type of shoot that the bookings will be. I remembered with my old background agent she always was good in telling me what it was about beforehand for me to decide whether or not I wanted to take it.

On the flipside I do notice that they seem to be more active in getting me out there. I haven’t experienced anything drastic though when it comes to my principal representation with them ever since I switched agencies. I think based on the notice there are supposed to be monsters on the set too. This will be interesting to see as it will either be very cool or extremely corny I’d say.