Lazy Sunday

I'm doing a major overhaul of my real-world resume. Previously, it lacked a career objective and a qualification summary. These changes were recommended by guidelines on a few Boston staffing group websites...and the resume looked at bit sparse anyhow.

Before the week is out, I need to come up with a good, inoffensive 300 word writing sample. Thus far the only writing jobs that have responded to my inquiries are "blogging" positions whose only real purpose is to drive up keyword counts and google traffic. I am beginning to be unsure if my usual strategy of "bullshit my way into the first job and allow my skills to float me" will work in the proofreading/editing vein.

Callbacks for Joy and the Apocalypse went very well yesterday. Not only did they like my read, but they told me the loved my attitude as well. The director said he'd contact me within three days.

I was slated to work with one of my agency's photographers monday evening, but I've learned (via Facebook, of course), that his camera has died. I had been planning on shopping for some wardrobe, but am reluctant to spend any money on a shoot that might not happen.

I Return to Boson Theater!

Between now and the time of my last post, I not only was cast in Enron, I've attended the first rehearsal. I'm in the ensemble, which will be heavily involved in the show. Highlights include light saber battles, velociraptors, and a barbershop quartet. Oh! That reminds me. I'll also be music directing. Sure I can arrange a short barbershop number...hopefully...

I landed an interview for the Hershey merchandising job. They wanted to pay me slightly more than the last job I interviewed for, which is to say nowhere near enough. They must have a large phone bank system somewhere out in the midwest. After I ended the interview, and thanked my interviewer for her time, I received a follow-up email that said they would "get back to me". Pretty sure that was an automated message.

I'm starting to get a handle of things back in the law office. Its nice to know I can actually survive there for extended periods of time and not feel like a total idiot.

Last, and certainly not least, I have a general audition for the ART this morning. Crossing my fingers for this one. They're equity, nationally recognized, and generally pretty cool. Time to banish that morning voice...

Someone's got a case of the Tuesdays

Not a lot of good job postings today. Yesterday I applied to be a proofreader in the Alumni Relations department at Harvard University, and for a merchandising job with a company called Crossmark. I doubt Crossmark would pay enough...but no way to know unless they offer me a job.

Last night I auditioned for Enron, the play, for Zeitgeist at the BCA. All actors receive the same stipend. I'm too young for the one female character but there will be an ensemble. I'd be receiving that call/email before tomorrow afternoon.

They had us read from the script opposite other auditionees, and I found myself paired with local Casting Director Kevin Fenessey. We joked about going against type (he looks nothing like the late Kenneth Lay, I couldn't pass for 40 if I tried), and I enjoyed reading with him. Hurrah for unexpected fortuitous networking. I thanked him on facebook this morning for reading with me.

I have general auditions for the ART friday morning, and callbacks for the lead in Joy and the Apocalypse Saturday. Speak Easy isn't seeing non-eqs this week after all, but they said a non-equity call would be announced later. Rehearsal continues for Boston Ballistic on Wednesday, shooting starts this weekend. Saturday I also auditioned for a short film called Wasted Youth. The director knew townie friends and Ithaca friends of mine.

Last but not least, I've gone back to putting in regular hours at my dad's office. I cannot wait until his office moves and is set up. I am not a fan of the cardboard file boxes, but unemployed blondes can't be choosers.

Slacking Off

I signed up on another staffing group website--The Creative Group. I'm hoping for a copyediting job. With professional experience editing, I could eventually freelance and dictate my own schedule.

I received a strange call from a man claiming he was casting for a traveling children's show. He sent me to a website that showed an impressive track record, and a presence in Canada, the US, England, Australia, and new Zealand. He said the show paid $500/week, and gave me a rough sketch of what cities it would tour between now and November.

Here are the weird parts:

In the series of usual point-blank questions (have you ever been convicted of a felony? etc) he asked if I had at least one working credit card.

He asked if I had couches to crash on in the cities he mentioned. Sure, I do have a few couches in Philly and DC, but certainly not for three weeks at a time. A touring production with no housing budget?

He said he would audition me over the phone, to make sure I could enunciate well. He said to expect a sample dialogue in my email. I checked it that afternoon, and found a paragraph from a gossip website detailing Lindsay Lohan's trip to jail. Not quite the material I expected for children's theater.

My best guess is that he's ripped off this company's show and is trying to perform it at a discount. I gave him an excuse; I told him a film I had signed on for would still be shooting during the tour dates he gave me.

I'm contemplating sending an email to the general info address listed on the theater company's website. It all sounds a bit fishy to me...

Talk about less shiny

I drove to Leominster for my interview, only to find out the position pays $10/hour. Apparently the recruiter (with whom I spoke twice) was supposed to let me know.

Looks like I"ll be working at my dad's office a while longer.

Yesterday apparently had too many victories to post.

Last night I received an email from Pertinent Pictures saying I have been cast in their pilot Boston Ballistics, email with details to follow later in the week. They want to rehearse this weekend, so trip to NY has been postponed. However, among the reasons to postpone a trip, booking a pilot would seem to be among the best.

I also received an email from the director of a feature film I auditioned for last saturday; they want me to come to callbacks for the lead role . Kickass.

Oh, and a Mosaic recruiter called me today. The job on the table isn't quite as shiny as the last one I had, but at this point I'll take what I can get.

Two More Bragging Points

So apparently a few of the websites I belong to and check have formed a partnership. Long story short is that via my memberships on NewEnglandActor and Actor's Access, and thanks to Model Club Inc, I can now be submitted for principal roles in NYC. If I want to be a part of anything low, or ultra low budget, I have to give them a heads up. But yeah. Principal submissions in New York City here I come!

I got to meet up with a talented playwright and composer I had briefly interacted with a couple months ago. We talked trends, local institutions, scummy coworkers, and caught up in general. She wants me to record one of her original songs at her studio, and one of my own choosing. I, needless to say, am thrilled. I am in desperate need of singing demos, and will be even more so once my website goes up.

Two major victories for the day. Don't worry, I've already cracked open a celebratory beer.