Gainfully Unemployed

How far will you go?

2010-02-04T08:30:00.000-06:00

When life presents an ethical challenge or choice, how far are you willing to go?

If you're handed an extra dollar in change, do you give the money back? Does it depend on when you notice the discrepancy...if you don't realize you have the extra money until you get home, are you willing to return to the store? What if the amount was $10...or $100? Do you roll through stop signs if you don't think anyone is watching? Speed on the highway if everyone else is to stay with traffic? Fudge your resume, cheat on a test or your significant other?

Does the reason for violating a rule or law matter? Is there a difference if you embezzle from your employer because a) your kids need food or b) you think you deserve a diamond ring? If you intend to pay the money back, does that make it ok? Or if your chances of getting caught are very slim?

By nature I'm a goody two shoes, a stickler for the rules. Whether I agree with some of them or not, they're there for a reason...such as maintaining order or sustaining the common good. But some people believe rules don't apply to them.
Going by the book may also go against the grain. Taking the impact of your actions on others into account isn't always easy.

Garrett Hardin's tragedy of the commons theory resonates with me. Simply put: if everyone who gets a new a cow puts it in the town pasture to join the cows already there, at some point the munching cows will deplete the grass. Then all the cows will starve.

Social Networking...online vs. in person

2010-01-28T08:46:00.001-06:00

Practically every day you hear or read something about the importance of social networking (SN). Since many opportunities for the GU come via connections and who you know, effective use of SN is essential. And supposedly online is now the way to go.

But the proliferation of outlets, each with different (and often, to me, confusing) features...which keep changing, makes it a challenge to learn about and do it. Follow me here, message me there...you could spend hours each day just maintaining your profiles and statuses, updating contacts and commenting on comments. Reconnecting and keeping touch with friends via sites like Facebook has been great, but so far I haven't made any new industry connections or booked any jobs. Maybe I don't spend enough time, as Tim Gunn would say, making it work.

I've checked out Twitter, but haven't yet seen the light about why it's so popular. So I'm glad that a religous satire show I do some writing and miscellaneous projects for (and wrote a Tweet or two for) with over 3,500 followers and counting has asked me to take charge of responding to its Twitter commenters. I met with the director to discuss how this might work and took several pages of notes about direct messages, retweets, etc. Whew. Next I have to figure out the various apps for monitoring/tracking...and determine how much time this will take.

I've seen greater benefit through traditional, in person networking. The woman I sit next to in choir knows someone I used to work with who now has his own business needing freelance writers. Thanks to him, I'm meeting with a potential client next week. Ages ago a writer friend referred me to a consulting company where her brother works that uses actors for role playing/simulation. I recently booked a week (to portray a major corporation executive) with another penciled in, plus my contact offered to recommend me for freelance writing/editing opportunites in other departments. I've booked several VO jobs thanks to friends' referrals. I connected an author friend who wanted to make a rap video for her book Perfect Chemistry (it's gotten more than 34,000 hits) with a director I'd met on a short film, Stealing Kisses ...a part I got in part because a friend cast in one of the main roles recommended me. She just did her second rap video with him.

How have you made online social networking work for you?

Opportunity or Time Suck?

2010-01-21T08:10:00.000-06:00

The Gainfully Unemployed (aka self-employed/freelancer) is often a plate spinner, scurrying about to keep multiple projects aloft. Sometimes knowing which projects to accept or stick with can be a challenge...will the time and effort invested pay off in sufficient cash or other compensation such as networking value, personal satisfaction, beneficial knowledge or useful experience? If I pass on a project, will I be glad or feel like I missed out? If I've worked with an organization for years, should I continue or move on?

Acting, for example, is one field where many projects don't pay in money. The rewards of exposure, experience and working with fabulous people can be worth the time. On the one hand, I'm rehearsing weekly with a newly formed improv team. Benefits include working with a coach (with whom, coincidentally, I was on a team at iO many years ago) as opposed to being self-directed. I'm continuing to learn about and practice the art of improv, laughing a lot, and gaining performance opportunities---our first is already scheduled.  The goal is to get paid down the road.

On the other, I recently declined to perform in a sketch show. Though there would have been four performances to invite agents and others to attend and another credit for my resume, the director wanted to hold more than 20 rehearsals in 6 weeks....IMO too much of a time commitment for perceived benefits. Yet if the show goes well, more performances could be scheduled...should I have stuck with it?

I do some writing and miscellaneous projects for another show. Most of these can be done on my own time.  Recently I was asked to take on an ongoing social media project. I'll be meeting with the director next week to discuss in detail. Do I spend enough time on this show already, or should I take the opportunity to gain experience in the burgeoning online community which many freelance/part-time jobs I come across now expect applicants to have?

I performed in an annual musical revue for 20 years. I looked forward to the two-week daily rehearsal period and hanging out with the cast. But there came a point when I needed to take paying gigs instead of devoting so many hours to a free production. A tough choice, but ultimately the right one.

I'm involved with two associations that require many devoted volunteers to produce programs, activities, publications, etc. I want to help because they need it and the tasks are usually interesting or fun.  But when I agreed to judge three writing contests recently, I made the mistake of not checking the deadlines...and wound up with 14 entries at once. Enjoyable, yes. Helpful to the organizations, yes. But also a current time suck.

How do you know when, as they sing about Kansas City in the musical Oklahoma, things have "gone about as fur as they can go?"

Are you real?

2010-01-14T08:41:00.000-06:00

Often when asked to do a voiceover or on camera audition, I get "specs," or an idea of what the client is looking for. Obviously the character, the product and the copy itself also influence the read; a Mom in a grocery store, for example, would sound different than a corporate spokesperson.

Many specs ask that voices be real and conversational...like you're talking to your best friend. A recent request was a challenging "approachable and authoritative." Another wanted a voice that was unpolished and wouldn't be described as professional.

Sometimes they name a celebrity that has the tone they're looking for, other times they send an MP3 sample of a voice they like (which makes me wonder why they don't just book that person. Maybe they used her before and want someone new, maybe she's not available...)  Each VO talent has to decide how much of the referenced name's or sample's sound to incorporate into her voice, while also keeping in mind the specific words detailing the nuances of the specs.

VO teachers and other industry professionals say my natural sound can be too articulate, too professional, too announcery. This can be great for narration, especially when the copy is very technical.  A client said they booked me for a medical narration because I was the only person they heard who could make boring stuff sound interesting. But sometimes I have to work to sound real.

How do I know if I'm achieving the requested sound, if I'm meeting the client's needs? More and more we're asked to audition from home, without any direction.  So if the job is big enough, I go to a very experienced audio engineer. He coaches me and offers feedback on various takes until he's impressed. Because it's not what I hear that matters, it's what the talent buyer hears.

The upsides: I receive direction and production--he has a lot more experience and equipment than I do and also edits the takes--yielding confidence that I'm submitting an amazing audition.  The downsides: travel time to and from his studio, adjusting my schedule to fit his, paying for help when there's no guarantee of booking the job.

It's very interesting to see or hear a commercial I auditioned for but didn't get. I try to analyze what they liked about the voice they chose, but I'm not sure I extract any information I can use in the future.

Will two coaching sessions in the past week pay off? Time will tell...

New Technology: Now or Later?

2010-01-07T10:38:00.000-06:00

When I worked in corporate America, I had access to assistance with technology...an IT department and other co-workers to help me figure things out. Now I'm on my own whenever I get new software or hardware. Yes, there are plenty of online sites offering video tutorials or FAQs, but they can be frustrating because you can't ask questions or have someone show you the specific things you want to know. I guess I'm old school in that I prefer a printed manual to scrolling back and forth onscreen, but at the same time am not willing to use up my toner and paper to print them out.

I have two graduate and two undergraduate degrees but still find aspects of Facebook, Twitter and iTunes confusing. Windows 7 is upon us.  Do I really need the upgrade or will I regret the money and time spent? I've used Broderbund Print Shop, which now offers a new version. I went for the prerelease sale price. Soon I 'll know if it lives up to the hype. Recently I was prompted to download Internet Explorer 8. I did, much to my dismay.

For one thing, to me it's not intuitive. What's all this InPrivate stuff?  Compatibility view?  For another, why do I get a pop up security box when I go to many sites, and why isn't there an easy option to turn it off?

Some tout other browsers, such as Safari or Mozilla Firefox. A friend helped me download that, but I find the interface too busy and don't see why it's supposedly better than IE.  Early adapters get excited by each piece of new software/hardware. When the benefits are easy to see and use, I do, too. I got a new BlackBerry last year. After investing the time to travel the learning curve, I like many of the new features.  I still prefer the old scroll wheel on the side to the new track ball in the middle. Is there an easier way to learn more about all of the neat things our technology can do? Fellow BBers, did you know pressing B takes you to the bottom of whatever you're viewing and T takes you to the top?

Unfortunately the new thing is not always better than the old...Windows Vista, anyone? And often it's better not to run out and buy, say, the first e-book reader on the market...because improvements will soon make that hot off the press thing out of date. A friend bought me a Nook, which won't even ship until Februrary because of the demand.  Barnes & Noble has already announced enhancements which better work with the Nook I haven't even received. I'm not the only one concerned about new technology being replaced by even newer technology in a heartbeat; yesterday's The Huffington Post discusses this topic.

I guess I'll have to make the time to learn about these new IE8 "features." Off to find some tutorials. Sigh.

Winter of Wonder

2009-12-31T11:38:00.000-06:00

As previously mentioned, I am usually quite the Scrinch (Scrooge and Grinch) around the holidays....IMO there's too much fuss and preparation for only a few minutes of eating and unwrapping.

But this year, I spent more than 160 hours immersed in holiday cheer. I worked at Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest in the midst of 750,000 ornaments, hundreds of Christmas trees, dozens of hanging and illuminated snowflakes and inundated by (somewhat repetitive, considering the plethora of options available) Christmas music and the ever-present smells of funnel cakes and cinnamon coated nuts.

The thousands of patrons ranged from babies (the youngest I met was born on Christmas Eve!), to school groups, families, couples and senior citizen groups. My job as Major Nougat of the Candy Corps was to improv with my partner Colonel Caramel and the other Winter WonderFriends and entertain everyone we came across.

In addition to posing for hundreds of pictures and signing autographs, activities included: having bunches of kids march with us and help us create new, silly ways to march, serving as an attorney in Bah Humbug Court defending those ticketed by the Winter WonderForce for infractions such as insufficient holiday attire or Scrooge-like behavior, holding imaginary tea parties, telling and acting out stories made up on the spot, collecting high fives and holding dance parties when certain songs played. Several times we had the honor of escorting Santa Claus around the fest. Each day brought new opportunities, games to play and ways to make people laugh.

One of my favorite things was to infiltrate family photos. Whenever we'd see a family posing (usually in front of one of the many Christmas trees), my partner and I would literally run over and get in the picture. The photographer, staring at the camera, would see us appear in the viewfinder. Watching his/her expresison change from intent concentration to suprise to joy never got old. He or she would either burst out laughing or say "yes," or "wait," in order to refocus. One woman was so tickled by this she kept laughing and saying, "I'm just filled with joy."

Most kids were excited to see us. They'd come running over to talk, play, take a picture or even give me a hug. But a few were frightened or shy, and hid behind their parents. So we developed games to draw these kids out. If we didn't get them to take a picture, usually we at least got a high five.

Every time I made someone laugh, every time I saw a kid's eyes widen with wonder and joy, whenever a little girl or boy gave me a hug or sat on my lap, I confess I felt the holiday spirit.

Double Casting: Two Peas in Pod?

2009-12-24T08:01:00.000-06:00

Note: If you seek holiday-themed reading, I'll be posting tomorrow about Christmas traditions in medieval England at http://www.seducedbyhistory.blogspot.com/.

Double casting: two actors play one role.

The first time I was double cast was in eighth grade...as Oliver in my junior high's musical, Oliver! Being very short with short hair, I was chosen to portray a boy. The other Oliver was an actual boy (whose older brother was single cast as the Artful Dodger). I'm not sure if the school was trying to give more students the opportunity to participate or thought the role was too large for one student to perform at every performance. But after all the rehearsals, after learning all of the lines, songs, choreography and blocking, I would have liked do to more performances.

I'm currently double cast as Major Nougat at Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest. Think: Disney characters on steroids. With 11 others (in particular Colonel Caramel), I pose for pictures and sign autographs, but also traverse the 170,000 square feet of the Fest and improv scenes with patrons and other Winter WonderFriends. We gather in the center and have a dance party whenever a certain Mariah Carey song plays. We attend sessions of Bah Humbug Court, where we defend patrons who have been ticketed by our holiday cops for infractions like Scrooge-like behavior, beleagured picture-taking, insufficient holiday attire and impersonating Santa. Yesterday, Holly the Rag Doll tried to avoid her sentence to Jolly Jail and ran out of court, so I had to chase her all over. Being a ranking officer of the Candy Corps, I also encourage patrons to salute and engage in various marching exercises.

Because this is such a physically and vocally demanding role (according to my pedometer, I walk around six miles a shift), and because WWF is often open 10 or 12 hours a day, double casting makes complete sense. Yet it's odd to see the other major in 'my' costume (she told me she thinks so, too), and to feel like I'm missing out on the fun when I hear what happened days I'm not there. And yesterday in the hall outside the dressing rooms, a cast member called me by the other major's name. Hmm. Both casts rehearsed together so we could develop similar physicalities and ensure understanding of our characters. But each of us bring different things to the table, and it's fun to work with a mix of the casts each shift.

Other issues: when single cast, if you have the opportunity to do an on camera job or want to go out of town, you probably have to say no. When double cast, you might be able to trade shifts. It's sometimes challenging to get family, friends and talent agents to attend productions you're in. But when double cast with an irregular schedule, it can be more challenging to mesh your schedule with theirs.

As a patron, double casting means you have a decision to make. For example, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, this season's Tosca is portrayed by the very well-known Deborah Voigt and also by Violeta Urmana, who is making her Lyric debut. So if you'd rather see DV but your tickets happen to be for a VU performance, you'll have to hope you can exchange. On the other hand, seeing fabulous performers new to you can be exciting. (I still remember the first time I saw Jose Carreras at the Royal Opera House in Il Trovatore at Covent Garden...)

Happy Holidays!

Will you work for food? For free?

2009-12-17T09:15:00.001-06:00

Oprah is filming a pilot here in Chicago for her new OWN network. I've been contacted by a friend who will be an extra who suggested I join him and another friend.

Apparently extras can now recruit other extras, avoiding the need for a casting director or even knowledge of who/how many will show up at the appointed times and locations. And apparently there's no pay, just meals. It seems O/her production company are banking on the fact that people are so eager to say they're involved with her in any way they will work for free. So they can earn bragging rights instead of cash.

What precedent does not paying extras set? If someone at Oprah's level expects freebies, will other TV shows and feature films stop paying us?

I've worked as an extra on dozens of productions and expect to make $65 or $75 for 8 hours plus time and a half overtime, usually excellent meals (and parking). Many think even that is insufficient recompense for the effort required. Insufficient pay to endure long hours (usually at least 12) and occasionally unpleasant physical conditions...cramped holding areas, not enough restrooms, standing outside for hours in extreme cold or heat, walking long distances from parking to holding carrying the requisite changes of clothes, days where we aren't even given coffee and donuts or water while the (union) crew is constantly provided all sorts of tempting fare, and often right under our noses. I choose to look at it this way: I'm getting paid to observe famous stars/directors up close and in action, or to read/talk on the phone/email/hang out with fun people when I'm not in the scene.

Being an extra isn't brain surgery, for sure. Nor it it as difficult as being the star. But it does require some skill...even an extra can screw up a shot by walking too slow or fast and running into the star, or by overreacting or looking at the camera. For scenes shooting multiple days, you need reliable people for continuity.

Certainly there can be reasons to work for no money. If you don't have any acting experience whatsoever, student films, for example, can be one way to get some. They can be a way to learn what it's like to be on set and take direction. However, it's my understanding that these films and extra work even on a major motion picture aren't really considered acting credits by agents or those who hire talent for pay. Better than nothing, perhaps, but not as good as other things.

For example, many non-Equity theatres in Chicago don't pay their actors, but offer a wealth of experience and the opportunity to be seen. This "free" acting can count as credits; I've often heard agents like to know their talent also does theatre/improv and some will go see the shows. And in the corporate world, many companies offer internships (often for college credit, which is a form of compensation) to help those just starting out get their feet in the door.

Some free work assignments can be worth it in pursuit of a goal: a viable credit, networking and/or experience that should pay off in the future. If you think being an unpaid extra will provide sufficient benefits, have at it. But if you think you deserve compensation for your time, if you believe the old adage 'they won't buy the cow if they get the milk for free,' stay home.

Comments?

Spontaneity

2009-12-10T08:44:00.000-06:00

While some people enjoy living whichever way the wind blows, I am not by nature a spontaneous person. I like lists, plans, and schedules because they provide a sense of control. I know what's coming next and what I need to do.

So the freelance/Gainfully Unemployed lifestyle, in which plans often change at the drop of a hat, can present challenges.  I'm flexible in some ways (I can do the splits), but not so much in others. Examples: A friend who's having trouble meeting her deadline needs my help with plotting or just wants to vent. Another whose schedule is as varied as mine wants to get together at the drop of a hat. Do I drop whatever I'm doing to accommodate these requests? If I'm on my way to an audition or a job, obviously the answer is no. But what if I'm working on projects I want to complete on self-imposed deadlines? Is getting my work done as planned more important?

When I am spontaneous, I often feel disrupted instead of easily embracing sudden changes. Though I like keeping to my timetables, it's hard to say no to social opportunities or when friends want my help. I prefer to work before play, but know I'll still get my work done in a timely fashion.

Then there's the randomness of auditions and potential recording dates. Example: an agent called after 5pm to schedule an audition for 10:30 the next morning, with lines to memorize. I had plans that night that would keep me out fairly late, and already had three major events on tap for the next day. Not only that, I was already booked one of the days of the shoot. But I didn't want to say no to the agent or miss the opportunity to go to the casting agency and meet a potential new client. So I had to scramble to adjust my schedule (requiring the assistance of others to change their schedules) and make the time to learn the lines (fortunately not that many)...all without knowing, of course, if I'd book this job.

There's a continuum of spontenaeity in various types of acting. One of the reasons I enjoy being in plays/musicals is because I know exactly what to do and say next. I've rehearsed and been given direction. I usually know everyone else's lines by opening night, so it's easy for me to compensate if someone drops a line or misses an entrance. Voiceover jobs are nice because the copy is right in front of you, Even if there are script changes, you can write them down.

On camera work can be more difficult. You've memorized your lines, but someone wants a script change. Remembering the new line(s) on the spot after you've already engraved the old ones in your memory is tricky. And when they change the changes...it can be hard to keep track of what is old and new.

More challenging still (though also at times more freeing) is improv, where every word you say, every gesture you make, is spontaneous. You can't plan ahead, because you don't know what your scene partner(s) will do or say next. If you try to think of something funny to say/do, you won't be in the moment and won't be able to listen and react to what is going on.  Usually when doing improv, you're involved in some scenes, but not all. So even during a show, you have a little time to regroup. But my current job is all improv all the time (except during breaks, of course), with anywhere from one scene partner to twelve and an ever-changing number of patrons joining in. It's both exhilerating and a bit unnerving to have a job requiring so many hours of being "on" and in character.

First 2010 resolution: learn to adapt more easily to small and large changes in plans.  Some suggestions on how to do that:

eHow Spend thirty minutes with a child. These days, I often spend more than that! And it is surprising and fun to see how willing and eager most are to join in the activities my partner and I come up with, from creating new ways to march to doing the Snowflake Dance.

LifeDev Pencil it in. Oooh. Scheduling spontaneity? That I can do!

Life is a Roller Coaster

2009-12-03T09:17:00.000-06:00

I've never been a fan of roller coasters--waiting in a long line just to have suspense build while you fear you'll slide back down the huge incline only to plummet and race through hills and valleys you can't control, clinging to the guard rail for dear life resulting in whiplash (emotional and physical) with only a few flat stretches to give you time to catch your breath.

But sometimes life is like a roller coaster.  Though they say without sadness we wouldn't know what happiness is and even keel existence might get boring, dealing with huge ups and downs, especially when one follows on the heels of another, can be disconcerting and challenging.

Small ups and downs are one thing.  Say I'm looking forward to an on camera audition, then the agent e-mails that it's been canceled.  A lost opportunity to have agent face time and be seen by a client, sure, but it's easy to believe another will soon follow.  Or I'm told I'm one of the few voices being considered for a big narration project, then I learn the client has gone in another direction. Disappointing, but the producer says he'll keep me in mind for future projects. I can believe I'll book another job soon.

Then there are the big swings.  One minute I get a request for a full manuscript and am basking in the good news glow. An editor enjoyed my writing and story enough to want to want to read more. The next I learn of a betrayal. Though the two events are completely unrelated, emotions can get muddled. Dealing with bad news on the heels of good can throw you off kilter. It's hard to maintain hope and excitement and have a positive attitude about the first while trying to take the second in stride. It's hard to focus on reviewing the rest of the manuscript before submitting and meet other deadlines when trust has been broken.

There are times when the ability to compartmentalize emotions and/or not be affected by external events might prove helpful. What does help is to remind myself of all of the things I'm grateful for.

How do you deal with bad news? Here are a few articles:

eHow Consider the worst case scenario, and develop a plan of action to deal with it.

beyond the rhetoric Reinterpret it. Frame obstacles as opportunities.

When someone you know gets bad news:

Family Education  ...offer your sympathy and—if appropriate— your help. It is less than useless to act as if nothing has happened.

Beyond Compare

2009-11-26T09:26:00.000-06:00

Do you find yourself comparing your successes or lack thereof to those of other people?  Whether you're an executive wondering why the co-worker in the next cube got the promotion instead of you, a mom who wishes her kids would be as well-behaved as her neighbor's, anyone wondering if he's keeping up with the Joneses, or a Gainfully Unemployed who wants to know how Actor A books so many jobs or Author A sells so many books but you don't, appreciating and valuing your own accomplishments can be a challenge.  Even on Thanksgiving.

When I read about another author's sales, it's hard not to wonder when I'll see my name in Publisher's Lunch. Especially when it's someone I know or finaled in a contest with. I'm happy for them on the one hand, but on the other wish my turn would come. It doesn't help when a multi-published, award-winning author I critique for calls to say what I gift I have for making her books so much better and that she can't understand why I still haven't sold. (One of my mss is with one of her editors on her recommendation, fingers crossed.) When I hear how many acting jobs a friend has gotten recently, it's hard not to compare her list against mine and wonder how I can get more work.  Or when, as has happened quite often recently, I see people I once performed with on national TV or Broadway, it can be a challenge not to ask, "Why them?" To not worry about what else I should be doing, or doing differently.

Comparing yourself to others minimizes your accomplishments.  It can make you feel defeated. You might stop believing in yourself and give up, especially without any external validation. One reason I enter writing contests is because finalling provides a shot in the arm to help me keep going. The weeks between the announcement of the finalists and the winners provide lots of time to share the good news. It's rewarding to know more than one judge liked your entry and that an industry professional will soon be reading it for the final round and may ask to see more.

Christina Dodd gave a speech at a Romance Writers of America conference about how each author's path to publication was different. Some might be short (ie you sell your first ms to the first editor you send it to. I know a couple of people who managed this.) while others will be long and rocky (you complete many mss and have hundreds of rejections to your name. Sound familiar?). Others will sell one book or a few, then have trouble selling more.  The question is: do you have the stamina to keep walking?

Can you focus on gratitude for your accomplishments?

Articles about ways to stop comparing yourself to others:

ResultsJunkies

Adversity University

Zen Habits

Happy Holidays?

2009-11-19T08:45:00.000-06:00

I've written before about being a Grinch at this time of year...to me there's far too much fuss made over the holidays. Stores go straight from touting Halloween candy and costumes to pushing Christmas decorations, cards and gifts. By mid-November, lights and decorations are already on display in many places.  You can't pick up a paper, turn on the TV or go online without being bombarded by holiday ads, articles or programming. What is the purpose of so many people spending so much time planning, shopping, preparing for and then cleaning up after holiday meals...do we really enjoy all the hustle and bustle or feel obligated to participate?

Holiday preparation adds myriad errands and time-sucking tasks to to do lists that are already a mile long.  How do friends who are already overburdened running around on their kids' behalf and who rarely seem to have a moment to themselves fit in even more? The effects of our recession-burdened economy may add additional pressure to those who can't afford to givethe amount or kind of presents bestowed in years past.

It's not that I'm not looking forward to or don't enjoy attending holiday parties--as long as I don't have to host them. It's the cramming of so many social events into a few weeks, plus the crowds in stores and all the hype and, unless you never leave your house or expose yourself to any media, the constant displays of Christmas-y stuff.

Not only that, this season can be tough on the Gainfully Unemployed. Business in the acting and publishing worlds grinds to a halt. Which means hardly any auditions or jobs, and very little chance of long-outstanding submissions being read.  Full-time employees bask in the joy of paid days off, but
the GU know holidays just mean the phone won't ring. When you don't know where or when your next paycheck is coming from, it can be hard to relax.

So what do you like about the holidays? What do they mean to you?

Change, Change, Change...

2009-11-12T07:35:00.000-06:00

Technology advances mean the world is changing at an ever-increasing pace. Five years ago, who'd have thought social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, having an online presence via a Web site and blog would be so important to so many, suck up so much time and be in the news so often? Who'd have thought many would send thousands of texts a month, text instead of talking, and that we'd go to a restaurant and see more people focusing on their phones than on their friends?

Newspapers and magazines are disappearing from our front doors and mailboxes and landing on our PC screens. E-readers like the Kindle, combined with the closing of so many brick and mortar book stores and decreased shelf space for books in other stores that now host cafes and have broadened their product offerings, make it more challenging to wander into a store and discover a new author.

Somehow we survived in the days before answering machines, much less cell phones that we put on the table when we're having lunch lest we miss something. The rapid pace of digital technology enhancements requires many of us to adapt, willingly or not... or miss out on opportunities.

The pace of the acting industry seems to be ever faster. A couple of weeks ago I turned off my phone for an hour and fifteen minutes...and lost a booking. This week I was sent an audition that had to be recorded at home and submitted ASAP. I've booked several rush jobs recently...a call at 5:30 pm for a job the next morning, a call at 12:20 pm for a job at 9 that night. Yes, the clients had chosen my voice for their projects. But given the short turnaround time, who knows what might have happened if I wasn't immediately available to accept the work.

And developments in the writing world, such as Harlequin's newly announced e-publishing division, Carina Press, raise myriad questions about the future of publishing, book pricing and author compensation.

I have not yet broached e-reading beyond downloading a couple of books. To me reading online-- when I spend so many hours on the computer already--isn't as enjoyable as holding a book in my hands. I only like shopping online for books when I know what I'm looking for; all the scrolling makes me dizzy. I don't have the patience to "look inside" a bunch of books online the way I've done in a store.

How are you embracing change?

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

2009-11-05T08:29:00.004-06:00

A few months ago I discussed various types of lies and wondered whether you can or should trust a liar again, here. Given the recent movie release, The Invention of Lying and the FOX TV show Lie to Me, many others are also considering the impact of lies and dealing with liars.

The proof is in the pudding. And my answer is no. Recent evidence shows that where there’s one lie, there are very likely more, either already articulated or yet to come. Kind of like cockroaches. At least the nasty insects scatter and hide when you shine light on them...but you know they’re there, multiplying and waiting ‘til the time is right to come out again. Lies are like termites, because by the time you discover how far they go, the damage is done.

Whether the liar is a client who promises to pay but doesn’t, a cheating significant other, someone you hired who pads his bill or doesn’t do what he was paid to do, a post on Craiglist you think is legitimate but leads you to some scam, or a friend or family member whose mendacity makes your life more difficult, how do you handle it once the dam has been broken, once your trust has been breached? Maybe you think that person is dead to you and never speak to him again. Maybe you think, "He says he's really sorry. I'll give him another chance." Good luck. That saying, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me," exists for a reason.

If you’ve been lied to, how do you trust again: 1) others, because surely everyone you meet isn't a liar 2) yourself and your decision making ability? If you choose to keep the liar in your life, how do you relax day to day and not worry that everything that person tells you is a lie?

This brings to mind the old ad campaign, "Do you know where your package is?" The answer is: you don't, unless you can be with it and keep your eye on it 24/7.

Several articles about liars and dealing with them:

Newsweek.com: Liars get what they want. They avoid punishment, and they win others' affection.

Suite101.com: Calmly state what you know to be true.

wikiHow: To protect your own sanity, seek help.

eHow: Disassociate yourself from that person before you get hurt.

Personal Web Guide: Be careful who you let your guard down with.

Darkest Before the Dawn?

2009-10-29T09:45:00.002-05:00

When many things seem to go wrong at once, it can be even harder to maintain a positive attitude and believe there’s light at the end of the tunnel. It’s frustrating when you put dozens of irons in the fire but get little or no response. Sometimes even a rejection is better than the feeling that your audition/submission/application is floating in the ether of the Internet. The many things we can’t control, the waiting for others to offer auditions/work, etc. can be stressful. So evidence that the tide is turning brings relief and satisfaction. And creates synergy.

Acting: Quite the flurry of activity. One agent called with a direct VO booking (without an audition) that day. Another called to put me on ice for a job. And another called with another direct booking. However, I happened to be without my phone for 1 hour and 15 minutes, so she booked someone else. Sigh.

Though I missed out on that and even if I don’t get the other, it’s great to know more than one client at more than one agency is interested in hiring me. Plus the more you’re on your agents' radar, the better. And I got a callback (the call came after 10PM, another example of why I should always have my phone) for more than 5 weeks of paid improv.

I also learned that I know a couple of the auditors of an upcoming audition. This business, like many others, can be a lot about who you’ve worked with before and who you know. I hope being among friends will help me stay in the moment (not in my head) and audition well.

Writing: The recent request to revise one of my paranormals shows that my writing and ideas are good enough to interest an editor enough to take time out of her day to call, email and be willing to work with me. I needed that shot in the arm.

The sermon, opening and benediction for the Best Church of God (discussed last week) got some good laughs. Which encourages me to do more comedy writing.

I’ve been helping a multi-published friend fix her overdue book. She’s using many of my suggestions, which reinforces that I know what I’m doing.

Other: Will be spending more time with a valued friend. Many fun social events on the calendar. I’m also redoing The Artist's Way. Maybe that’s the catalyst for all of this forward motion?

I’m very grateful to be busy, get work and have things to look forward to. What developments are you grateful for?

Writing for Whom You Know, Not What You Know

2009-10-22T09:11:00.004-05:00

When you decide to be a writer, you need to choose what to write, what market you’re aiming for and who the readers will be. Within each type of writing lies a myriad of elements to consider and balance. Then your work needs to captivate an industry professional. Is it easier when you know who that person is? Two recent experiences prove the answer is yes and no.

1) Writing for a particular director and performer. I’ve been doing the weekly Missalette (program) and short marketing pieces for The Best Church of God, a parody church service currently at Chicago’s Lakeshore Theater.

An idea for a sermon popped into my head. Having seen the show many times, I was very familiar with the style, format and subjects previously covered. I also knew that since BCOG believes in the literal word of the Bible as set down in the original English, I’d need a good sprinkling of Bible quotes to support my argument. I’d worked with the director for weeks on the program and a couple of other projects, so I had an idea of his likes/dislikes. And I’ve known the performer who’d be doing said sermon for years , and could hear his character in my head as I wrote.

This was both freeing and limiting at the same time. With each sentence I thought was funny, I’d get pulled out of “the zone” of writing by questions like, “Would the director even like the idea? Would he agree that this joke was funny? Would he take a submission from someone involved in the show but not in the ensemble?” “Would Pastor Dave convey the idea with different words?” These thoughts can halt the flow of creativity. Give you writer’s block so it takes longer than it should to complete the project.

On the other hand, if I strayed too far afield, I could reign myself back in, knowing the situation so well. I could refer to past sermons for inspiration.

Fingers crossed, I sent off a draft. The director liked it...and said he could hear Pastor Dave giving the sermon. Whew. He asked for some revisions, and said I also had to write the service opening and benediction. Interesting to see which jokes he kept, which he slashed (one in particular I thought was LOL, sigh), and which he punched up. We’ll soon see if the audience/parishioners appreciate it: why the Bible says moving corpses and desecrating graves (as in the recent Burr Oaks cemetery scandal and Mayor Daley’s wanting to move another cemetery for an O’Hare runway) is the Christian thing to do.

2) Meeting the needs of a particular editor I’d submitted my paranormal with time travel romance to.

After reading the synopsis and first 20 pages, she called to tell me she was very interested in the premise, some things she thought were clever, and the hero. But the heroine was boring as was the world building. And she wanted me to change from alternating 1st person POV to 3rd. If I’d do these things, she’d take another look.

Exciting yet troublesome at the same time. I’d heard her speak, and had had an eight minute appointment with her and now this conversation, and read books from her line, so I had some info to rely on.

I’d purposely written it so the reader would learn along about the paranormal hero as the heroine did, so most comes later. And after all, you have to introduce the characters, their attraction, and the plot, goal motivation and conflict and don’t want to have what’s known as an “information dump.” But the editor wants to be swept away by his world right away. Easier if the story starts in his paranormal environment, harder when it starts in her normal one. I’m trying a couple of approaches...we shall see.

The point is that many auteurs might just want to create and think about potential buyers and markets and where their work will fit in after their opus is finished. They might be offended by blunt criticism of their long labored over creative output, even if it comes from those who can publish them. But I believe the more you know beforehand, the better, despite the constrictions placed on creative freedom.

The time and energy invested in gaining knowledge will pay off.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

2009-10-15T08:32:00.000-05:00

Now that Bobby McFerrin song is playing in my mind...and I'll bet yours, too!

Many of us have a lot to worry about these days. Things like supporting our families in this economy while managing to save for the future, how the kids are doing in school and whether to get an H1N1 flu shot. Things like whether family member X will get on your nerves today or you'll get stuck in traffic. And if you'll get everything done on that 'to do' list.

In the face of decreasing home values, fears of more layoffs/not finding another job if you've been laid off (or for the GU, always waiting for that phone to ring and keep ringing so we know our irons in the fire are paying off), health concerns, etc., how do we go about enjoying and making the most of each day? How do we maintain a positive attitude and keep smiling in the face of the disappointments, frustrations and worries large and small that pepper our lives? Just for today, can we reduce the power our concerns can have over us and allow some happiness in?

Approaches for dealing with worry include:

--Be grateful for what you do have. Sometimes when things are looking pretty grim, or when a bunch of things go wrong in a row, it’s hard to remember that there are good or great things to appreciate.
Consider listing things you are grateful for each day and keeping a gratitude journal, as described here . I’ll start: today I’m grateful for supportive and caring friends, that I have a great place to live and for the tasty leftovers in my fridge so I don't have to think about what to have for dinner.
Other takes on the importance of gratitude can be found here and here.

--Believe everything happens for a reason. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't. It's hard to accept there's some lesson you're supposed to learn when something doesn't go the way you wanted. Or believe that a disappointment/rejection/failure/mistake can and will lead to something better. Here and here (a for and against debate) is info on this approach.

--Never give up hope. Often easier said than done...

--Let go of things you can’t control and move on. I'm working on this. Info here and here.

Which works best for you?

Drawing the Line

2009-10-08T08:10:00.000-05:00

The volunteer who gets asked to do just one more thing. The mom whose kid wants another story before going to bed. The person in any relationship (significant other, sibling, co-worker) who for whatever reason has the burden of putting forth more effort and ends up doing more than her share.

Most of us have a basic desire and need to be helpful. To be appreciated and liked. This can lead us to say 'yes' more often than perhaps is to our benefit. And then we end up spending too much time and/or money on projects that need to be done or would be nice to do, may be interesting and even fun, but leave us wondering why we said 'yes' in the first place. Or we give more of our energy or money to someone or to an organization than we're comfortable with, but often we don't speak up and right the balance.

Some people fail to follow through on assignments they've accepted, don't complete them in a timely manner or with the anticipated quality. So those who can and do deliver are usually asked to do more. Often people presume on others' willingness, efficiency and reliability. There's that saying, "If you want something done, ask the busiest person you know."

Sometimes the pushing of boundaries in any relationship is so subtle you don't notice it at first. You think, "I've already done/paid for X, so it's not that big of a deal to also do/buy Y." When does wanting to help and generosity turn into being taken advantage of or becoming a martyr? When does your well run dry...and who refills it? How do you gracefully say "no," or "I've done enough for now?"

For example, I agreed to help a group with some publicity. Next they asked me to write something another volunteer had agreed to do but didn't. Then to coordinate a small task. Then several other small things...which finally added up to more than I was willing to do. I had to say no. I felt bad, knowing they needed the help.

The Mayo Clinic says that saying no can reduce stress, here. The Washington Post's take on why it's often hard to say no is here. Check out more advice here.

Is there something you want to say no to? Will you?

Do You Hear What I Hear?

2009-10-01T09:49:00.000-05:00

I don’t mean the Christmas carol or how some rejected American Idol contestants think they can sing when we agree with Simon Cowell that they can’t. I’m talking about audio file quality.

This week I lost a VO job I’d already booked because the client wasn’t happy with the quality of the test audio file I sent. Ouch. He and his client liked my voice and my interpretation of the copy, but the sound of my MP3 didn’t match up to that of the male talent.

Fortunately the sting of that news was alleviated the same day by another client. They said they were so pleased with a PowerPoint narration I’d done that they want me to be the voice for their entire product line! So they didn't hear problems in any of the 35 files I sent. And I have other clients who accept files without even asking for revisions. Maybe different clients have different technical standards. Maybe the test file was an anomaly (I offered to send another)? Or is my ear not good enough to hear issues if they occur?

The client suggested I get better monitors and recording software...to the tune of around $199/pair for the speakers and several hundred more depending on the software (not to mention the learning curve). Or I might benefit from a new preamp and/or a microphone. Because if there is a problem, it could be any one of these things. Or it could even be how the equipment interacts with my PC. Meaning maybe I'll need a Mac.

Because I’m not sure there is a global problem, or if there is, which component of my setup is at fault, I don’t know if one change would resolve any issue, and if so, which change I should make.

I do not have patience with the trial and error method of figuring things like this out. I haven't found an "audio engineering for VO talent" class. I have asked a couple of VO talents I know to create one, so far to no avail. I may have take a general class, though from what I can tell they focus on music/band recording, not voice, and cover equipment and technical topics I don't need to know about. There are all kinds of tutorials and Wikis/discussion forums on the Web, but most tutorials move too slowly or don’t cover what I want to know, and with Wikis/forums it can be hard to find the answers to the specific questions I have.

So my first step is asking a VO/audio engineer I know to test my system, then have him help decide if I need to buy anything, and if so, help install and make sure I know how to use it.

Who said you have to spend money to make money?

Here, There & Everywhere

2009-09-24T07:35:00.000-05:00

Many full-time employees traverse the same path each day...to their offices and back, Monday to Friday, 9-5. Those who work from home may merely commute from bedroom to computer. Such routines can be either comforting or monotonous.

A Gainfully Unemployed’s week is will o’ the wisp, depending on which way the freelance winds blow. And how much discipline we have to focus on career vs. social events. I’ve started highlighting the success journal I keep so I can see at a glance where my time is going. Because my goal is to have at least 5 outgoing things every day...whether they are auditions, query letters/submissions, etc.

Some weeks, I mostly work at home. Others send me hither and yon. This past week had me traveling to:
--Greektown for a cable TV show shoot
--Humboldt Park for a print looksee
--Lakeview to see The Best Church of God. It’s an all-new each week parody church service where parishioners believe in the literal word of the Bible as set down in the original English. Check it out, here.). I’m doing the weekly Missalette and a weekly promotional piece posted in the church (theater) vestibule.
--Right after that, off to St. Charles after picking up a fellow actress for a small industrial. It took us an hour and a half each way (on the return in pouring rain) to do a two hour shoot at a coffee shop. She was the barista, I was the customer.
--The Loop (for my non-local readers, that means the area of downtown circled by our elevated train, called the “L”) for an hour and a half interview for a part time job.
--On a different day, again to the Loop for a committee meeting.
--Ravenswood for a focus group gathering.

Add in other events including lunches in Lincoln Park and River North, an appointment in Streeterville, an evening in Ukranian Village, dinner with a visiting author friend in Evanston...and you can see that a lot of this week was spent coming and going.

So I had to fit in various projects with upcoming deadlines, including writing and revising the BCOG pieces, a quick VO job, a concert press release, a flier for a committee open house, auditions I wanted to or was asked to submit, a family issue, my next contribution on the English medieval period to a group blog about historical romance (seducedbyhistory.blogspot.com).

Though I chose to make time to work on a non-fiction project, I didn’t add pages to any new fiction manuscripts or revise two that I’ve been meaning to (one for a friend who’s critiquing it and the other for an agent who said she’d look at one of my early medieval romances if I turned it into historical fiction). Or another non-fiction project with a co-author, with whom I’m meeting again soon. Or more self-marketing. I did catch up with several author and other friends...

Do you feel you have control over your schedule? What's a good balance of work, errands/chores, social activities and personal downtime?

What Size Are You...Today?

2009-09-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

Many sources fuel our troubled economy, from unemployment to the tight credit market. Yet retailers want and need us to shop more. Here’s one reason why I’m shopping less: size frustration.

I just bought a pair of size 0 petite jeans. I realize some women might be thrilled to be bamboozled into thinking they’re thin enough to fit into zilch-sized jeans, but I find the concept a bit patronizing of shoppers' intelligence. Manufacturers want us to think, "Oooh, I was an 8 last time I bought this kind of jeans, now I'm a 6. How thin am I! I don’t need to work out, I need more clothes!"

The point is that when sizes are so inconsistent, shopping becomes a chore instead of a pleasant, rewarding experience. With this designer I guess I'm now a 0, but with another I could be a 2, 4 or a 6. Or a 25, 26 or 27. Now a few also offer short, regular or long. I don't care what size I am, I just want clothes to fit so I don't have to try on so many. Not to mention that given the recession (yes, yes, I know it’s supposedly ending), inventories are down so the store might not have sufficient selection were I in the mood to take 10 pairs into the dressing room. I don’t have the patience or want to take the time to run from store to store.

With my former favorite jeans (Jag) I used know exactly what size I wore. I could try on any pair and they’d fit great. No alterations required (anyone who has had a pair of jeans hemmed knows how much that adds to the cost, especially if you want the “original hem.”) But suddenly I was a size smaller. Now that size doesn't quite fit, nor does the next size down. The jeans in my closet still fit fine, so it's not like I’ve gotten skinnier.

(I’m not going to talk about the ridiculous rise issue. If most manufacturers want to target women in their 20s and ignore shoppers over 35, that’s their choice. Low rise on women of a certain age IMO just doesn’t look good. I don’t want to feel or see that little, squishy roll of muffin top. I did buy a pair of GAP’s new 1969 slim jeans, because they were on sale and fit perfectly everywhere else [except the length], but we’ll see if I wear them with anything but a long, heavy sweater. I’ve tried one of the few brands geared toward women who aren’t in their 20s, but the styles, fit, and washes don’t interest me. And the tummy tuck panel doesn’t seem to serve its purpose.)

As to customer service and checkout, I commend Nordstrom and GAP for having helpful salespeople who not only knew their products but went out of their way to bring other jeans I might like and, equally important, do so in a timely fashion. Most other stores I’ve shopped recently haven’t had the staff to enhance the shopping experience and/or have had long checkout lines (and I waited longer than I thought reasonable at the GAP).

And, dear clothing manufacturers, I don't enjoy shopping online. There are too many sites. All the scrolling and going back and forth makes me dizzy. Just because an item looks good on the tall, tall model doesn’t mean it’ll look good on the average or short woman. I’ve come across enough inaccurate measurement charts that the pleasure of opening the package I’ve waited for is ruined when the item doesn’t fit. A friend orders several sizes of each garment. But even with free returns, it’s too much of a hassle for me to pack the stuff back up, fill out the form and drop it off at UPS or the post office.

I rejeoiced to find a practically perfect pair of jeans at Macy's...a DKNY petite style that was even on sale. They only had one pair in my size. When I went online to buy another, there wasn't enough identifying info on the jeans for me to find them among the zillion hits...

How do you find the perfect pair? How can stores/designers make shopping easier?

Coming and Going

2009-09-10T08:06:00.000-05:00

I remember a line from the opera The Great Gatsby about people coming and going. Gatsby held huge parties at his mansion (I was one of his waitresses in the Lyric Opera production), but wasn’t close to many of his guests. In our lives, we might lose touch with someone we care about; someone we know casually might take on a more meaningful role. We meet someone new we click with, and a new friendship is born. Others come and go.

Recently, several people have returned that I’m glad to have back, including a sorority sister found on Facebook. And a few are becoming more important. For now, or the longer term?

It can be hard to define what brings a person back into your life. Coincidence, timing... or is there a reason, a purpose, some impact one of you will make on the other? For example, I recently saw an author acquaintance at a conference. We chatted for a minute, but for whatever reason didn’t make plans to talk further. Now she’s visiting Chicago and we’re going to have dinner. Maybe we’ll just catch up and have a pleasant evening. Or maybe there’s something she’ll say--even if I’ve heard it before, she might say it in a different way--to make me realize which direction I want to go or help me to view challenges from a better perspective. Maybe there’s a way we can support each other going forward.

Are there people you miss? I miss two. One is a friend from college; we stayed close for many years...way before long distance was cheap and email, texting and Facebook kept people in constant contact. I’m not sure why we lost touch. And I can’t find her online.

The other is a friend I met years ago at a writing conference. We had so much in common we’d even brought the same pair of Ann Taylor pants to wear for the dressiest event. For awhile we talked every week to make sure we were on track with our life and writing goals. She came to visit a couple of times and we saw each other at other conferences. Then she adopted a daughter (and became one of those moms she said she wouldn’t...too busy to talk/keep in touch). She did email to say she’d call--several weeks ago. I'm sure when she does call, we'll pick up right where we left off.

When one person’s lifestyle changes, the dynamic of the friendship often changes, too. When friends have kids and get caught up in whole new world of mom things. When you or a co-worker gets a different job. How do you maintain what you had, or do you accept that a new phase has begun?

And what about the people you’d rather not have in your life...a boss you don't get along with, an annoying family member or someone who always seems to call/want something at the most inconvenient times (like the neighbor in the recently released Extract)? Can you gracefully find a way to limit communication or do you have to suck it up and put on a smile?

Then there are the friends you know you'll have for the rest of your life. For whatever reason, there are people who just get you. Those you can always count on.

Thanks to my friends, just for being.

Signs and Making Decisions

2009-09-03T08:49:00.001-05:00

Do you believe in signs?

When you're making a major decision--whether to accept a job offer, move in with someone, get involved with a volunteer project--do you rely only mainly on facts or feelings? You might do research and weigh the pros/cons. Rely on an advisory board of friends/family. Listen to your gut or subconscience, if one of them tells you something you can understand. Maybe you pray to whatever power you believe in to send or help you choose the answer. Maybe you look for signs (a guy said he decided to date me instead of someone else because as he was driving and pondering, he saw a truck with my last name on it). Chances are you go with a combination of some or all of the above.

Sometimes the options seem overwhelming and outcomes difficult to predict. Maybe you're caught between a rock and a hard place, where no path looks promising. Or you fear making a huge mistake that can't be undone. Then you freeze, and do nothing. You hope the situation will change or resolve on its own, an obvious solution will surface. How do you handle lingering doubts so they don't get in your way? Have you ever known you were making the wrong decision, but went ahead with it?

Recall Albert Einstein's definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

In the past few months I've been struggling with much of the above as it relates to my writing. Should I start yet another new project...if so, which genre, which story to tell? Revise one(s) I have? Finish a non-fiction project? Keep submitting, believing it's all about 'right place, right time?' Believe one of the submissions already out there will lead to representation/a sale and show me the way? Just give up and get a day job?

I've sort of been pursuing all of these options, to cover my bases. Yet this approach makes me feel scattered, that I'm losing focus and not getting enough done. I thought the writers' conference I attended in July would re-inspire me, and/or perhaps I'd meet someone who'd help me move forward (a friend happened to choose a lunch table with an empty seat next to her...and the person who sat there is now her agent. I did talk a lot with a successful author I've known for years who offered to critique one of my partials; she sent comments on the first chapter and I'm deciding how to address her suggestions.)

I've already spent years working on getting published....insanity or persistence? In some respects taking the path of least resistance can be easier, whether or not that's really what you want or is your best choice. For me, right now, quitting, doing nothing are easiest. Submitting more isn't that hard. Revising, starting fresh or finishing projects is much more difficult and time consuming. What to do?

Maybe I just got a sign, in the form of a contest judge's comments on my latest opus. She wrote, in part, I’d love to see the writer – who is quite gifted with words, grammar, sentence structure, and generally good writing – come up with something fresher that’s never been done. Would love to see this author go totally off the deep end with a high concept story that will bowl over editors and agents. The writer obviously has a LOT of talent. Go deep...take chances...be wild and creative...you never know what will happen!

You have a great knack for the written word...you just need a stronger story.... Keep working at it...you’re almost there. I can sense it for you!

Is this just one published author's opinion, a red herring, or my new direction? Every aspiring author knows agents/editors want something fresh and high concept. A strong story. Obviously I think mine is all these things (and have received other feedback supporting my opinion), or I wouldn't have written/entered it. Is receiving this advice at this time the push I need to move forward? If so, how do I 'go totally off the deep end,' without pushing the envelope too far?

How do I know?

He likes me! Right now, he likes me!

2009-08-27T09:23:00.000-05:00

Most of us of a certain age remember Sally Field saying something like this when she accepted an Academy Award (hard to believe that was back in 1985 for Places in the Heart. And I checked, she didn't say, "You like me. You really like me," which I think is what most of us remember.). The point is that despite all of her career successes, she genuinely seemed pleased to be so esteemed.

The title of today's entry could also be about the song Love the One You're With (Stephen Stills, 1970, covered by The Isley Brothers in 1971) and the vicissitudes of dating. But I'm talking about the importance of being appreciated. Validated.

I’m very pleased to have a new voiceover client who keeps telling me how happy his client is with my work and how much they love my voice.

Yes, yes, we've all heard about true happiness and contentment coming from within. That you have to love yourself before you can love another. How it's all about living in the moment, enjoying the journey and what you have, not the outcome. That having the biggest house, most money or receiving the highest accolades won't make you happy. We could spend all day staring at ourselves in the mirror repeating affirmations about how great we are or how much power we have (like Amy Adam's Rose in Sunshine Cleaning)...maybe that would help.

Who doesn't like to know they've done a great job? Who wouldn't want to hear the guy they're dating say they think you're beautiful or, “No, those pants don't make you look fat?" Maybe for some it's enough just to bask in the glow of the verbiage. But if you’re paying attention, a compliment delivered the wrong way can make you look askance at the giver and/or wonder about their sincerity or what they are trying to get you to do. And a vast part of communication is via body language. Many studies/experts say that the meaning of a message comes 7% from the actual words, 38% how they're spoken and 55% from body language. So in today's world of e-mail, IM and texting, assessing the true intent and meaning behind nice sentiments typed quickly on a tiny keyboard can be difficult.

The value of a compliment can live on long after the words are spoken. I'm collecting testimonials from satisfied clients to help attract new clients. I've heard of authors making lists of great things readers, contest judges or industry professionals have said about their work to refer to in down times or to help get past rejections.

So the next time you think someone has done a good job, if someone means something special to you, take a moment to say so. As they say, pay it forward.

Smorgasbord or Empty Plate

2009-08-20T09:14:00.001-05:00

The life of the Gainfully Unemployed is exciting and unnerving at the same time. We never know if or when an audition, submitted resume, or connection we've made will pay off with a booking or more auditions, or when projects that we're suited for will come to our or our agents' attention. Like an entrepreneur who never knows when a new customer will walk through the door despite great word of mouth, marketing and advertising, we can't do much to control our flow of work.

And when we book a project, we can't bask in the glow very long because it'll provide probably only a day, at most a week of work...and there are 51 other weeks to fill. We can look at all the white space in our calendars and see nary an audition on the horizon. Clingy vines of doubt creep in, distressing and demoralizing. Have my agents forgotten about me? Do I suck? If my last audition didn't go well, would they tell me? Did so-and-so even get my last email? Maybe I should get a "real" job.

These pernicious thoughts can work their way in so deeply I have to untangle and remove each one. I must keep adding irons to the fire. I must fill my mind with positivity. I believe this dry spell will end, and soon. Just be patient. Everything will work out.

Suddenly the phone starts to ring, emails arrive. And I can't ever predict the range of things I'll be called upon to do. There's an audition for a $5000 "upbeat, cool and sincere" TV voiceover. I'm one of a small group selected to be interviewed by a client for a major project. I book a small role as a nurse in a sci fi independent feature that requires me to scream as a guy on roller blades comes at me with a hockey stick and assist with surgery on a patient who has 5 eyes, while hanging out with fun and talented people for a day and a half. And eating tasty Vietnamese food.

The GU also never can tell what interesting situations they'll find themselves in. We filmed in a huge (though hot) abandoned hospital, eerie in a "what happened here, did everyone perish instantly of some plague like on Star Trek" way because all sorts of medical equipment and supplies were left behind, and employees even left pictures on their desks.

I learn that a recent client was so pleased with my recordings of a technical PowerPoint they plan to use me for all of their VOs going forward. (Of course I don't know when/if this will happen or how many projects that means, but who doesn't like to hear that they've done a great job and will probably get more work?)

With all of this good news, the creepers' vivid green fades, the leaves shrivel into dust as shiny hope and satisfaction bloom in their place.

Whew. Despite also receiving a book rejection, this turned out to be a darn good, busy and productive week.

But what about the next one? And the next, which is Labor Day when not much is likely to happen...