The trick is (as any semi-professional actor will tell you) finding a job that pays you what you need to cover the bills but offers the flexibility of taking off early or coming in late because of auditions. If you’re blessed you can find an employer who’ll even let you go for a few days or weeks when you book some kind of acting work and then will take you back when the gig is over. That kind of benevolence is really hard to come by.
Added to my equation are the three other mouths to feed. A part-time job that pays enough for a family of four is flat out impossible. Thankfully my work in Invasion provided me with the maximum amount of payout that unemployment insurance allows ($450/week) but making $1800 stretch for a whole month is tough and will soon be exhausted. Unlike many actors, I have no shame collecting unemployment. We wouldn’t have been able to make it this long without it. With two children depending on me there’s little I wouldn’t do to make sure they’re being provided for. Hell, we did foodstamps a few years ago just before I booked Invasion and it was looking like things couldn’t get any worse for us. Government cheese is pretty tasty when it’s the only cheese you’ve got.
Problem is I WANT to work. I’m not the kind of person who can thrive with free time. I need structure and an outlet for my energy. It feels good coming home tired at the end of the day. I love driving and I really love being PAID to drive. The two best jobs I’ve had (outside of my acting work) were driving jobs. My last was delivering medicines to doctor’s offices and patients. It was amazing. I was paid to drive and listen to NPR and my ipod and occasionally scale a flight of stairs. I was let go two weeks ago. Back to square one.
I called a flower store that had posted a Craigslist ad for a delivery job at $9/hour. The employer sounded really nice and like they’d be somewhat understanding if I had a bit of acting work come up. Then I started to do the math. If I’m working an 8 hour day 5 days a week I’d be clearing $360. That’s $90 less than what I’m getting on unemployment. So what would I need to get by? $15 an hour. Here’s the Craigslist add I’ll be posting today:
Always wanted to pay a lot of money to an employee who’s attendence is frequent at best?
A hardworking actor is seeking a $15/hour wage. My skills are limited but I learn fast and take pride in my work.
Willing to do deliveries-spotless record.
HA! I love your job ad. Hey…it could get you a job.
I understand your frustrations as an actor trying to make a living in between the acting jobs. My husband’s dream has always been to act for a living but it is hard to go to auditions and earn a living at a “real” job in the meantime. Right now the poor man is working a job with a 2 hour one way commute so he is not even able to take acting classes or do theater.
It is a tough world out there. Hang in there. You are an excellent actor and deserve some good roles. I will be rooting for you.
Comment by Jane — June 14, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
I hope you find a fulfilling job soon, be it in acting or something that can help your family more. Family is what matters the most anyway. Best of luck!!
Comment by Eugenia — June 16, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
I think you’d be perfect for this!!
I can picture you in the part they are casting!
Comment by AJ — June 18, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
I feel your pain.
I am a musician who just had to quit the band I have been in for four years because I had to “choose” to make money. Somewhere along the way making 40,000 bucks a year became more important then doing what I love and what I thought I was made to do. And now I am struggling with the notion of quitting my dream to take care of my life and my responsibilities.
All I can say to you is that while I do not know you personally I do know movies (especially horror) and your performance in Behind the Mask was absolutely perfect. If you want to make some money, go make a sequel!
Here’s to both of us finding what we are looking for~
Comment by Eric — June 20, 2007 @ 12:54 pm