Let me breakdown what's been going on with me. It's been pretty active.
Nurse Jackie
I did my second stint on Showtime's Nurse Jackie as an orderly and had a
blast. Even better, I got a union waiver which means I got paid as a union member which, in turn, means more money. It will just take a million years for me to get it via snail mail but being union has its perks. I go first for costume fittings and food. Anything over 8hrs is overtime and too far over 8 hours becomes double time. And too far is not that far. Even better, there is a chance that I may become a core background actor on the show which means anytime they need orderlies, I am there! That can lead to more consistent work (but still nothing to count on) which is what I need. Which leads me to....Joining the Union
There are pros and cons to joining but membership has its privileges. Most of the guys I work with on the set are union and when they grant a nonunion guy like me union status for the day, that's sort of a nod that you're ready to move up to being a member. Of course some unions are open and anyone can join without ever stepping in front of a camera. I'm sure the powers that be have a way of weeding those people out and I don't want to be one of those people. So, I take the waiver as a positive sign. It also opens me up to be a stand-in for the principle actors which is something that has been proposed to me but wasn't possible because I am nonunion. A Stand-in will get a little more money and get to act for the crew as they set up cameras and lighting while the stars prepare for the actual scene. Not glamorous but better than nothing and it's a great learning tool in my opinion.
Paying for the Union
Sure being part of an actor's union is nice but VERY EXPENSIVE. Sure I could become a drug dealer or male prostitute and score some fast cash (drug dealer more so than prostitute) but what good will being union be if I'm in jail? Working on Nurse Jackie has made me a local hero at my synagogue as my Rabbi is a big fan of the show and upon hearing this news, everyone has been looking into ways to help me out with the initiation fee. My rabbi is leading the charge because he finds all of this to be really cool and feels this all coincides with the teachings of the great Jewish philosopher, Maimonides. Something about empowering your fellow man to live on his own. It made sense wen he explained to me but I can't remember it all here. Anyway, thanks Maimonides.
Student Project
I have been asked to audition for a student film project down at NYU. It will be a scene from Death and the Maiden. It's for a film class and they need actors for it, so why not? All for the good of higher learning. Plus it's good experience.
Simchat Torah
This is a big Jewish festival that marks the end of the Torah reading cycle and basically anyone able bodied (that means me) grabs a massive scroll and dances around to songs like Hava Nagila. Other people join hands and form big circles, play the accordion, kids run around screaming and what not, it's all quite a spectacle. Really all of that Torah reading stuff is boring to me but this festival I like. I don't know why, these scrolls are very heavy and cumbersome but I go to this every year. My arms are still sore but it's oh so spiritual. Getting Laid
You know, I wish I actually did have something to report on this but I don't. I just threw it up there to alarm you. Pass the Trojans just in case.
That's all for now.
