Difficult Decision
Yesterday, I was asked for the second time since last May to apply for a position at the Alumni Association of the University of Ottawa. Chances are quite good that if I apply for this new job, I will get it.
What does that mean? Well, for one thing, it means more money. About 10K more than what I'm making right now. It also means job security since the position is a permanent one that comes with a pension and health benefits. It's also a job where I would get to travel across Canada and the US on somebody else's bill.
Unfortunately, while the opportunity is impressive, I feel conflicted. After all, this blog is entitled "So You Want to be an Actor," not "How to succeed in Business Without Really Trying" (ZING! U of O)
A full-time job like this means that I would lose any opportunity to work with a professional theatre. I would simply not be available for daytime rehearsals, even less so if the theatre was out of town. It means another year of not being able to audition for a Fringe show that will tour. I also don't know how flexible the job is in terms of taking time off when I need it for auditions or day player parts and background work.
I don't want to make a career out of the University of Ottawa. It's not my dream and, although I'm good at what I do, I'm not entirely passionate about it (but I do put on a good show). On the other hand, I have bills to pay. Big bills that are in large part due to the University of Ottawa. And those bills will not pay themselves.
At the moment I was quite content in finishing out my contract and taking the year of to go on EI and do the acting thing. I've gone directly from High School, to University, to the Professional Workforce without ever taking a year for myself. That's what I really want to do, but I wonder if I would be able to manage it financially.
Every sensible person around me (ie. my mom and Darcy) tell me that I should at least apply for the job since there is no guarantee that I would get it. I could also turn them down or quit later on if a better opportunity presented itself. But I don't know. I guess a part of me feels that if I take this job, this "permanent" job, it's just another step towards turning my back on what I really want to do: perform. Five years from now, I want to have had at least a bit part in a major motion picture staring Brad Pitt (or, you know, the next big flavour of the month at that time), not sitting in my own office on the University of Ottawa campus.
I have until next Friday to make up my mind about applying and I just don't know what to do.
What does that mean? Well, for one thing, it means more money. About 10K more than what I'm making right now. It also means job security since the position is a permanent one that comes with a pension and health benefits. It's also a job where I would get to travel across Canada and the US on somebody else's bill.
Unfortunately, while the opportunity is impressive, I feel conflicted. After all, this blog is entitled "So You Want to be an Actor," not "How to succeed in Business Without Really Trying" (ZING! U of O)
A full-time job like this means that I would lose any opportunity to work with a professional theatre. I would simply not be available for daytime rehearsals, even less so if the theatre was out of town. It means another year of not being able to audition for a Fringe show that will tour. I also don't know how flexible the job is in terms of taking time off when I need it for auditions or day player parts and background work.
I don't want to make a career out of the University of Ottawa. It's not my dream and, although I'm good at what I do, I'm not entirely passionate about it (but I do put on a good show). On the other hand, I have bills to pay. Big bills that are in large part due to the University of Ottawa. And those bills will not pay themselves.
At the moment I was quite content in finishing out my contract and taking the year of to go on EI and do the acting thing. I've gone directly from High School, to University, to the Professional Workforce without ever taking a year for myself. That's what I really want to do, but I wonder if I would be able to manage it financially.
Every sensible person around me (ie. my mom and Darcy) tell me that I should at least apply for the job since there is no guarantee that I would get it. I could also turn them down or quit later on if a better opportunity presented itself. But I don't know. I guess a part of me feels that if I take this job, this "permanent" job, it's just another step towards turning my back on what I really want to do: perform. Five years from now, I want to have had at least a bit part in a major motion picture staring Brad Pitt (or, you know, the next big flavour of the month at that time), not sitting in my own office on the University of Ottawa campus.
I have until next Friday to make up my mind about applying and I just don't know what to do.
posted by Nancy Kenny at
11:55 AM
2 Comments:
Nothing comes to you without costing you something. Taking a full-time job for the sake of a little more security will, I'm sad to report, affect your acting career. It could be the beginning of a very slippery slope.
IF they're asking YOU to apply, you can afford to be picky. Demand flexibility. Tell 'em that once in a while you have to go to Montreal on a day's notice and you anticipate being able to manage your own time. DON'T tae your eyes off the prize, or your eyes may never find it again.
People who don't dream about being happy as a poor actor put way to much weight on financial comfort. If you're on your death bed and thinking back on your life, which would you rather be able to say: (1) I was never able to live in luxury but I did some good work and loved doing it, or (2) Hey! My RRIF lasted until the Alzheimer's took over!
IMHO, the litmus test of a true actor - someone who is committed to the craft - is the response to having to FIGHT to do the work even though it means being one of the working poor for the rest of your life. People who happily work 9 to 5 and whose lives revolve around their jobs DON'T GET THAT, and they're the wrong people from whom to take advice on such matters.
Is your SOUL worth an extra 10K a year?
By
Anonymous, at 1:59 PM
I'm with these guys Nancy. You really seem to be aware of the life changes that will occur and, to be honest, that's pretty much all you can do to prepare. (Well, other than knowing how to budget and how to make a meal with whatever scraps lie around the house.)
I may not be the best one to talk though. I've known a minimal amount of success doing what I do with minimal financial risk so far and I haven't yet directed a show for a major pro company, nor have I applied for any grants to start my own major project. Plus, I have the sneaking suspicision that I'll end up having babies and liking mommy-hood a bit more than poor-artist-hood. Who knows?!
However, at this point in your life, you're old enough to know what you want. It's all about trying to figure out what will really make you happy and what you really want from life. If it's security in a good job and doing theatre once and a while, then that's what's right for you and no one should criticise that. If you want to try taking a year off to relax a bit, but mostly work your butt off trying to find acting work... you may not have as much security but you'll still be super-happy with your life... then great!
Always take into consideration that, especially with your credentials, the secure jobs will be there. You can find one (or many for that matter) again in the future. But taking a financial risk and personal challenge while you're still young, energetic, sans-children and sans-major financial expenses... now that's a no brainer to me. What have you got to lose? This decision isn't a permanent one... but you might regret it if you don't give yourself the chance.
By
Natalie Joy, at 10:46 AM
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