Scared of Independance

Well, not in the way you think.


I'm actually scared about independant performance projects.

You see, when you sign on for an independant project with people you do not know, you will undoubtedly be faced with levels of experience that differ greatly from your own (and not always in a good way). In fact that's one of the reasons I don't do fringe shows anymore unless I know the person doing it.

Like say the very talented Nat Quesnel or Kris Joseph were doing a show of some sort, I would audition in a second! *hint, hint*

Now, for theatre ventures, I'm not too hearthbroken over this turn of events because I do already have a very strong base to work with and some nice credits to boot. I am also continuously trying to take classes so that my skills stay sharp.

For film, however, that's a different story.

All that's really available to me at the moment are independant projects. It's kind of frustrating because, even though I have an agent and she submits me for stuff, many union projects only want to see union actors (low-budget IPAs for instance) but I can't get into the union unless I get to audition for a union production! ARG



So, independant projects. Like the one I am working on right now.


I take comfort in the fact that one of my fellow actors is on the same level as I am (Algonquin Theatre grad, done lotsa community stuff, ect.) and that most of the crew actually know what they are doing.

I do not take comfort in the fact that sometimes people just don't show up when they are supposed to. Like the makeup girl who didn't show up at all on Sunday night and now we have to redo all my close ups for that scene because my face looks different from the other scene. (I have some pretty specific eye makeup and although I did a semi-decent job on the foundation I was wearing, I didn't have the same products/tools that she had to match up the rest.)

I also did not take comfort in the fact that the director was having us rehearse the scenes two nights a week on top of the shooting schedule because some of the actors might not be as able to perform on the spot as others. I was very happy when he let us know that we would not be rehearsing this week because he did not want to lose any of the freshness and spontaneity of the scenes. (Thank You!) It's like he read my mind.

...

Or perhaps my blog


In any event, I think the movie will turn out well and I am looking forward to seeing the end product. I also appreciate being able to add another credit to my resume, this one followed by the word "Lead".

So don't get me wrong, I am enjoying the experience. I guess I'm just impatient about doing more professional (ie. paying) work. While my desk job keeps me busy, it does not make me happy. Acting makes me happy. Unfortunately, acting is not paying my bills :/