No Power... Yeah!

Well fearless readers this post today is probably going to be on the shorter side, though who knows... For the past 22 hours I've been without power at my home. And since I'm the proud owner of a desktop computer, I've been without the ability to write, research, blog, read breakdowns...

Today I got two hours on my friendly neighborhood library's computer, so I'm catching up with emails, MYSPACE messages from people from all over, and blogging... Yes, blogging. Which brings me to this point here. "Look at me, I'm blogging."

Today is the first day without an audition (not counting Sunday) since Wednesday of last week... Which for me, is really great. I'm not one who needs two or three a day to make me happy... Three or four a week and I'm content. Five or six... That's really great. After all we all know if you got the talent to not stink up a room, it's really a numbers game... And to quote a lottery slogan, "You got to be in it, to win it."

There's also no picture with this post, because as I've explained, I'm at the library, and go figure they don't have my pictures on their harddrive... "Boy, the nerve!"

Last night I was talking to a newbie in town who did her first EXTRA gig ever... She was surprised how little fun she had, how bad the food was they gave her, how long she was there, how long it took to sign out... Basically she found out that doing Non Union Extra Work, sucks... All I could think of was, "You should have asked me what to expect."

So, let me just put this wisdom into the air... For you that might not know yet.

As a Non Union Extra, you are the lowest creature on the set. You will be farthest from the camera. You will get the worst food. You will break last. You will eat last. You will stay longer. You will come in earlier... You will be far from the Stars.

Did I do Non Union Extra work when I started? Yes.

Did I have a crappy experience? Yup. Probably did it a few times. Never did I enjoy it. But it did give me something to put on my very thin resume at that point.

Film Extra Work tends to be the worst. TV is a little better. And Commercial Extra Work is as good as it gets... Union Extra work is always better... Some people love it. Some people make a living doing it... But one should never get it confused with "acting." Though you may be acting and be the best damn extra in the world... You are, and you are referred to as, "Atmosphere."

I once wrote a poem about being an extra on a set, and mailed it to the very famous director. Oddly I never heard back... Someday if I ever sit across from him, I'll mention it.

I'd say one of the good things is that you are making money in your chosen field. You do get to network with other Extras, which might give you some insight to various things. And I suppose there is always that chance that you'll get discovered. I suppose.

Well, I'm done with this one... Man, libraries are quiet. Probably the reason why I did so many quotes in this post...

"I just want to be heard!"

-- Quiche out ~ Tom Kiesche