So here is the news that I said that I had a good feeling about. I'll start with the not-so-good-news first...

I received a call from a commercial agent after a mailing that I had done. I was very excited and even paid for some coaching since I was going to read some copy that I downloaded from LaCasting. I wanted to do it right.

I became quite nervous on the day of the interview. It was at 1:00 and could only focus on the meeting. I got all gussied up in my best outfit and made it down to the agency 10 minutes ahead of schedule. When I reached the door and rang the bell, no one answered. I feared that maybe the agency had moved because the cross street was different than what the agent told me yet it was the correct address. The suite number was different than what she told me, but then I figured that I heard her wrong. (My hearing is a bit shot because back in my raver days, I used to dance next to speakers taller than me.)

I called her on my cell and she said, "Oh, I have the flu. Didn't I call you?" Well, no she didn't. She apologized and told me that she'll call me the following Monday to reschedule. I was quite disappointed since I'd have to go through all of that stress again. I also feared that since I wasn't on her list of people to call when she got sick, I might not be on her list to reschedule the appointment.

The following Monday rolls around and sure enough, there is no phone call from the agent. I call her at 4:30. She asks me if I am SAG or SAG eligible. I tell her no. She says that I need to be SAG. "Even for commercials?" I ask. "Yes, this is a SAG franchised agency. Call me when you become SAG".

This news completely disheartened me. I took a commercial class and was told that commercial agents will take non-SAG members because people in that business are willing to look at non-union people. I even read this! This burst my bubble. I had even contacted an actor friend of mine who gave me a little private coaching so that I would be even extra ready. His coaching gave me even more insight that the paid coaching. Anyways, I digress. Sigh. I guess I had my hopes up super-high and they just came crashing down.

This is part of being in the world of Hollywood and I know that I must get used to it.

So now I am going to try to become part of the union. It could be a long, hard trek or it may be easy. I registered with 2 more background casting agencies. If I am lucky, I will either earn 3 vouchers or get a line which will mean that I am taft-hartleyed into the union. I met a guy in line at one of the agencies who told that his dad got 3 lines on the West Wing which means that he can now join the union.

I also learned that I must act fast if I want a job. I called an agency hotline, but dawdled before calling to submit myself because I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it. When I finally made up my mind a 1/2 hour later, the job was gone. I have had similar experiences when I've been called for print work. If I return a call an hour later because I was sleeping or eating, the job has already gone to someone else. There are plenty of other people out there who want the work. I can't be wishy-washy in this business!

So the good news is I signed with Hotel Art Gallery. I don't know what will come of it since they are new and it can be tough for people new in the art business (as well as veterans), but it is exciting. I will post a link to their site when I have work up there.