Getting Pinned

I got pinned. Again.

No, this has nothing to do with dating a high school athlete. I dated college boys when I was in high school anyway.  

But getting pinned happens a lot in Hollywood. I think it's more an LA thing, than a NYC thing.

I thought I was the only who had never heard of the term until I had lunch with a friend the other day.

"I keep getting pinned," I exclaimed over a carafe of red sangria, grilled calamari, and pot de creme under the warm Santa Monica sun.

"I guess eventually another one will stick," I said.

"Are you talking about online dating?," he asked. That's when I figured it was worth writing about.

Getting 'pinned' for a theatrical job is the same as being put on 'hold' or put on 'first refusal' for a commercial job.

It doesn't guarantee you'll get the job, but it does mean you are one of the top choices.

Kind of makes you wonder, should you jump for joy or hold your breath. I think maybe both, yes?

In the exigencies of television casting there's not always enough time to hold callback sessions. Everything is reviewed again on tape.

So, producers and casting want to make sure they 'pin' their top choices in time for the upcoming shooting schedule.

In a sense, being consistently pinned adds to your cache as an actor.

I got pinned for a guest star on a television show where the competition included actresses I grew up watching on the movie screen when I was in junior high. Seriously.

The first time I ever heard the term, was in the winter of 2009. I was pinned for another guest star on a criminal drama. 

I don't know exactly how to feel about it, because getting pinned doesn't mean you'll get to book the job or pay your rent.

There are no understudies in film and television, only stand-ins and body doubles. 

It doesn't mean you're going to get another audition right away. Or that you'll get to change the world with your unique, courageous performance of that character.

All it means is that you almost got it; that you are on the radar of the business, at least with the particular job in question, and that your reps now have more to work with.

It means that you are doing all the right things and living in the right direction; that the gamble is still worth it.

It means there are now a new group of people that believe in you, that are affected by you.

It means that you are doing significant work that is being noticed by the right people.

Getting pinned means that you are a part of the great tidal wave of talented actors that crash upon the hills of Hollywood every season, leaving some artistic essence of yourself behind.

Getting pinned means that you stand a chance of booking, of coming into alignment with a constant stream of artistic opportunities to enlighten, to educate and most of all, to entertain.

And that's pretty much as good as it gets, isn't it? So, yeah, getting pinned, it's a good thing. Even if it isn't by the high school quarterback.

(photos courtesy of Blake Gardner and punchstock.com)

Yours Truly -- Ann Hu

 

Comments

[Justine]

I guess it's one of those things that you can talk about when sending an industry person a postcard, or a headshot/letter in the mail. I always hear that you don't need to talk about the things that already on your resume (since they can see them right there, just from reading), but if you went an extra step from an audition...that's something you probably should 'brag' about, because the CD or agent you're contacting might not know.

[Gramt Rosen]

Well put Ann,
Eventually you realize as a professional actor who does get paid to perform....its a matter of perspective. End up with enough PINS or HOLDS as I have now run across as well and you realize that does NOT pay the rent....and as human nature goes. Even being pinned or on hold for a project is not exciting from where one sits eventually . ONLY the actual job will ...well... get the job done. BUT at least as you did state you are moving in the right direction as opposed to the sea of endless actors who never get anywhere.

Life ..it is not fair...one just has to persevere and live through he windshiled..not the rear view mirror of auditions and experiences. I believe that is what is called NOT BEING BITTER ..haha..
Best
G