My wife and I tend to have an annual "state of the situation" meeting. These discussions typically review how things have been going in LA, what we like, what we don't, whether we're happy with the progress and situation we have, alternatives to living in LA, work stuff, etc. We've added to the family this year, which makes the discussion even more interesting. Unfortunately, my work is never predictable, but the downturn in audition numbers has led to a predictable downturn in jobs. Anyone who pursues a career in acting knows that downtime is primetime for the questions to start bubbling to the surface. Every year, the requirements for qualifying for SAG insurance get higher, and the budget gets tighter. Still, every year we've been here has been better than the year before, and 2010 took off for me in the Fall. Here's to more of that.
Since the beginning of August, things have started to pick up again. I'm cruising at about a 70% callback rate, which is good, but doesn't pay the bills. I've also punched up some self-marketing to get things moving along. I did turn down an audition for a low budget movie. The budget wasn't the problem. I may not seem to be in a position to turn down possible work, but I am always in a position to turn down work that I couldn't possibly be proud of.
As the jobs do pick up, we're ready. We went through an excellent financial strategy program that forced us to face up to our lack of control. Since then, we've set monthly budgets, put the plastic in a drawer, and generally gone about the business of sealing up the cracks in our financial house so the money doesn't fall through them. It makes a difference. My apologies to Target, Trader Joes, and the farmers market. But now, the math problem demonstrates the need for increasing income to multiply our efforts.
After the second child, it has been a little more difficult to get out and stay active. Fatigue is a factor. We've got #1 in preschool now, which helps all of us a lot. Ever since I played high school sports, I would vow to start a jogging regimen to condition myself a bit. But just plain old running has always been a mental battle for me. Within a game, or even at practice, it wasn't as tough as it was to go out there by myself and pound the pavement. Well, yesterday, I started a new running program with a buddy of mine. It's a slow build and a specific blueprint. There are two things that are already making a difference, a plan and a partner. If there's a third thing, it's the new shoes. You never know how far gone the old shoes were until you lace up the new ones. As we ramp it up, I'll try to keep track of it more here. We'll see if I can transform myself into a runner.
View my REEL and RESUME
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