Insult to Injury

Yesterday I received a call from a woman at a staffing agency. She found my resume on one of the staffing sites, and was interested in hooking me up with a CSR position in acton. She was looking to interview today, apparently she had an urgent problem to solve.

It paid several dollars an hour less than what I'm looking for, but I figured I would sign up on their staffing website. I wrote the woman back within the hour to say I didn't think I would be able to take a full time position all the way out in Acton with my current commitments in downtown Boston.

Dear readers: in my resume career objective section, it says I am looking for a part-time position on the top of the page. I am very clear with my goals.

Apparently she was frustrated that I was no longer interested in being the fix to her staffing problem. I received an email lecture back, about how this woman knows some very nice musicians, who, while very good at their "hobby" (ugh!), needed to pay the bills. Apparently I have to "make a choice" between my professional and creative lives.

I'm pretty sure this is verbatim the lecture I received from my high school nurse.

Needless to say, I made my choice quickly and deleted her email.

Get Organized

Paul Russel, (a casting director whose blog I read every week) recommended making an outline of career goals. He admitted that the example he posted may not have been entirely realistic in scope, but still a good exercise, and a good structure to fall back on. Having booked the lead in Joy and the Apocalypse, I am now booked straight through mid-october. I think I have hit my ceiling as far as non-union film goes. So, I wrote up a game plan for the rest of the year that has me on track for my SAG card by 2011.

P3 seems geared up to start submitting for acting work...eventually. I need to pick my branch manager's brain about that at my photoshoot next week. If they don't start submitting me for things, and soon, I will be out shopping around for acting representation.

My business cards have started to pay off. I gave one to one of the photographers at the Mission Park premiere, and he's already contacted me about doing portfolio work.

I've signed up with an entertainment company to be a Victorian Christmas caroler this coming winter. I can accept or decline jobs as I see fit.

Yesterday I applied for a part time marketing job with ZipCar. It would basically be like a long term promo with consistent hours. Today I signed up on SoloGig.com--its aimed at consultants and contract jobs. I applied for a part-time job as a marketing assistant in lexington. The hours are flexible, and its close by.

Today I have an audition for a film called Vietnam Redux. It should prove interesting.

Aaand that's about it for now. Stay tuned, loyal readers!

The Morning After

Yesterday was slightly insane.

I put up my hair in pin curls, so it could both sit under wigs all day, and have an instant hair style for the premiere. I was way too proud of pulling that off.

While I was getting in my costume and wig at the Garment District, I got a call from the director of Joy and the Apocalypse, they wanted to cast me in the lead role. I sent them my rehearsal schedule for Enron, as that's my only conflict right now.

The Halloween commercial shoot was a lot of fun. I think I actually want to use some of my Marilyn Monroe footage for gag at the end of my demo reel. After several round of dress-up, the boy picked me up, we booked it to Watertown to change and primp, and back to Harvard Square for the premiere of Mission Park. My hair lasted long enough to get past the photographers; considering the past four days of rain, I'll consider that a victory.

It was good to see the High Heel Samurai/Mission Park core cast, and I got some good schmoozing done. I made friends with a couple photographers, sealed a role in a friend's campy atomic age queer film, and reconnected with some acting acquaintances. The icing on the cake was that my modeling agents came, courtesy of my co-star and agency-mate also in the film. They made a point of saying they liked what they saw, and how glad they were to sign us.

This morning I looked like hell on wheels on the commuter rail home, but I'd say it was worth it.

Still Raining...

So Emerson college has a part time position assisting the production manager. I whipped up a version of my resume with the theater tech back on it, and leaned heavily on my experience at North Shore in my cover letter. I'm not sure how it pays, but theater tech is very high up on the list of "things that don't really feel like work". Not driving on my daily commute would also be very nice.

I also signed myself up for another temp database, this one based in Burlington.

No word from Joy and the Apocalypse yet, but they're still within their allotted time.

I read a very strange screenplay this morning. The writer calls it a "Queer Noir". He's looking for the female lead; I asked him for footage from his first feature. Gotta get those production values for the reel. The limited niche audience also has me a bit worried as far as marketability and festivals go.

And lastly, my photoshoot today got postponed; the photographer's camera up and died on him. Still gotta bleach my hair for the Mission Park premiere Wednesday. I should probably get on that.

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.