I would love even more to have someone else out there marketing me, so that I could just be informed of the wheres and whens of the next gig, rather than having to "apply" so often. <<< That is probably the primary reason you get actors and writers and directors, even, who become producers. It is probably also the reason you get producers and actors who become writers and directors. Everybody thinks that "in that position, I can write my own ticket," as it were. Grass is always greener, don'tchaknow?
I don't want to write or direct or produce my own stuff. I watch those folks venturing into the "greener pastures" and having as hard a time at it as I'm having over here, in my greenish field with the occasional wellspring (of work). There's plenty of money, and there's plenty of appropriate work, to go around. We can all be busy, happily "creating" entertainment. It's just a matter of finding that work, or the funding, or whatever.
When I first started in this biz, I was told "It's not what you know, it's who you know." I found that to be a falsehood almost immediately. It helps to know the what, as well as knowing the who (not "The Who", although I doubt knowing "The Who" would hurt). But really, it's "who knows you".
I interviewed today for a seven-day gig that's going to pay me a reasonable salary for my expertise. I think, as long as my schedule allows, that I've actually been the only Script Supervisor to be interviewed, and that I've actually got the job. The only problem is that it's not slated yet; the plan is to shoot... in FEBRUARY of 2015. GREAT! I've booked seven days in February, at a reasonable wage! Woo Hoo! But now what?
Beyond that, I think they were impressed enough with me that I'll be able to help them crew it up with folks that I know and like working with. I get to be the "who" in the "who knows you" equation! Sweet! Here's hoping I'll be able to bring a buncha fine folk with me into a fun, creative production environment, and we'll all love working together so much, we'll want to always have the same people on board, no matter how big or small the project, no matter how long or short the shoot.
Kinda like what I've had over the last two weekends!
If only I didn't need (nay, crave) the stability of structure. The temporary and fluid nature of the business you're in would exhaust and frighten me, I fear. It's strange, but I do very well at temporary jobs because I need the change. I don't seem to function well with repetitive tasks. I can work at temporary positions because I'm so firm in my belief that my husband's job will keep us in the manner to which he is accustomed. I feel safe and secure when he's working and I'm not, or I'm working temp. On my own, I have a much harder time keeping to my optimistic bent.
ReplyDeleteWhen he's unemployed (and those times have been several in the course of our married life) I still don't fret. I don't know why that is. I have a wellspring of faith, but I guess he provides the stability I seek so that I can continue to do work that moves me. You continue to impress me, sister, in your dogged determination to stay on top of the world even when it threatens to beat you down. I'm glad you have that job in February. It's cool that you get to influence decisions because you've proved yourself. Maybe THAT'S what it's like to be an adult. I'm still trying to find my "grown up legs". I hope I can be as at peace as you are should crap ever go down for me and mine.
You are stronger than you give yourself credit for, InnerHippie!
DeleteAmen, sistah! We're all doin' it, makin' it work, stayin' strong!
DeleteMy husband is the one who craves the stability of structure. My husband, the writer. ;) I LIKE the stability of structure in my own work, but not for any stretch longer than, say, 18 months. After that, I go a bit stir-crazy.