Monday, August 8, 2011

Actor For Hire ... Whatever

My head shot. Just in case.
Deb: Within two weeks, my series Little Mosque ended its six-year run, my new series Single White Spenny did not get picked up, and my year-long voice campaign for Winners ended.

Those wacky threes.

So here I am again. Actor for hire. Looking for work. Putting myself out there. I couldn’t help but reflect on the differences between my out of work 27-year-old self and my out of work 57-year-old self.

27 (through tears): Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I’ll never work again, nobody likes me. I’m too short. I hate this business. How did SHE get a show? Idiots! I can’t go out there, I’m the world’s worst auditioner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

57 (sitting in yard with a good book): Oh yeah, guess this means I’ll have to get a job. I think I’ll go to a beach house for a week first. Yeah it can wait. Something will come along I’m sure. Whatever. I’ll think about that tomorrow. Yeah tomorrow. Or maybe next week, yeah next week. You know what, I think I’ll deal with it in the fall. After Labour Day. Oh look, a hummingbird!

I truly believe everything happens for a reason. Well not the liver spot that has appeared on my jawline. That is just unexplained bullshit. But things have always come to me when I needed them and I have to believe it will be the same this time. In the meantime I will continue to work with Colin, Barb, and Sheila who are my collaborators and come up with ideas. And I will continue to write. So, hell, what’s wrong with this picture?

Nothing!

One thing has not changed however. I am in fact the world’s worst audtioner. I believe I have mentioned this before. But I am going to adopt a new attitude about it. I will try and conquer it once again. I will try to show a modicum of talent when I audition. I will not let it shorten my life when I know I have to go in and read for something. I will make choices. I will be bold. Every fiber of my being will scream, “CHOOSE ME!”

Until then, I am chillin’ at a beautiful beach house not giving a tinker’s cuss.

Barbara: Once again, as serendipity will have it, I am in the same boat as my buddy, Deb. Every single project that was an absolute guaranteed “go” has now either self-combusted or been put on one of those vague start-date schedules that sound good in theory because they’re not a definite no. (“Yeah, I have these projects in development, and they’re like super-awesome and stuff, and everybody is really super-psyched about them, and they’ll probably go in like the next like two months or something. Or years, you know, whatever.”) It’s like being a really talented lottery picker. You’ve got great numbers, but the chances of them hitting are maybe to none.

But, like you, I’m more chill this year than I’ve ever been. I do believe that when you forget where your priorities are, life will step in and remind you. And sometimes your priorities need to be a good book, a good friend, and a good glass of wine (and a beach house if you can get it)!

26 comments:

  1. Your are very right Deb, everything will happen for a reason . They usually always do. Just think of this now as a little vactIon . You ladies deserve it. Don't worry something will come Along very soon for both of you all. But until then it's time to sit back and take that long well deserved vacation . .

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  2. Thanks Lyndsie, I am taking that vacation and not caring.

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  3. I loved this post. Absolutely something great will come along for both of you, and, quite frankly, I hope it doesn't interrupt your great summer of chillin. Your attitude is so much more mature and very Eckhart Tolle ish. Enjoy the now and don't waste time worrying about the future.....it will come.....but enjoy that book, that glass of wine and that beach house.You will be working soon enough. Ahhhh, the days of wine and roses!!!!

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  4. It's wonderful how age and experience can change our perspective for the better. I get so amused when I see first time moms and how they are with their babies. With my first baby, everything had to be just so. With my fifth baby, I was much more relaxed and easy going. Time and perspective.

    Things seem to come in threes. Maybe the next project, job, opportunity or whatever will be the right one. Good luck with all that lies ahead and enjoy the ride.
    -Molly

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  5. It is about being in the "now", isn't it? And it all feels very right and good. Thanks, ladies, for being so spiritually supportive! xo

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  6. Yes Mary-Jo, the days of wine, roses, and sand in my bathing suit. Thanks Molly I agree, experience is everything when weighing life changes isn't it?
    Hi Barb!

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  7. Of course you will get new gigs. You both are working actors which in itself is a wonderful job. I think relaxation is the name of the game and new projects will was and wane in your brains as you sit by the beach or at the pool and enjoy the good life. You still have this fabulous blog to write for all of us. Have fun. Breathe and enjoy.

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  8. Thanks Madge, that's my word for this week. Breathe. Thanks xo

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  9. Deb-that is a gorgeous head shot. And I love what the maturity has done to your attitude about it.

    I wish you both a ton of luck finding new stuff that really sticks!

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  10. Thanks Hart. Yeah maturity. Not all bad huh?

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  11. Three years ago, I resigned from a job I'd had for 15 years in a field I absolutely love, because I became unable to do it due to medical issues. I have no idea what lies ahead of me and that kinda makes me nervous. I'm somewhere in between the 27 and 57 reaction. It just depends on what day it is. :)

    I'm very happy you ladies are more relaxed about taking it as it comes, and enjoying life in the meantime. I'm still working on it, and am hoping that it gets easier with time. (Patience. UGH.)

    Dawn

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  12. I bet it's also exciting Dawn not knowing what's ahead, but I get the nervous factor too. Patience is one of the tough ones to work out isn't it?

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  13. First of all, Deb, enjoy your vacation! Everyone deserves one sometime, and who knows, maybe a little relaxation may be the key to NAIL your next audition! I wish you luck in finding new opportunities to display your awesome talents! :)

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  14. Thanks Beth. I am. Chillin' the most.

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  15. Seems I can't stop looking at the hummingbirds either, Deb. lol
    I've been out of work 2 1/2 yrs now. Worked 29yrs at a huge company only to be forced to "retire" way ahead of my time. Mixed blessing for sure. I miss the people but I could really never work for another big company EVER and be just fine with it. Will see how I feel when the $$ runs out. :)
    You just got out of 3 things you were doing all at once? You really SHOULD take that time off and enjoy kicking back. You bloody well deserve it! You do too, Barb. As long as you can afford it, take time off and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Blah blah blah, all that stuff about today being a "present". Give yourself the gift of relaxing and watch some hummingbirds as well. You watch, just when you decide you really could care less about working again you'll be bombarded with opportunities. :)
    Hugs to both of you darlings.
    Karen

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  16. Definitely: ENJOY your time off!
    I've just had a month to relax and empty my savings account, and now that I'm back to work, I can fill it again. But that month off was heavenly.

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  17. Mind you, a new "Deb and Barbara video" is somewhat overdue, ladies.

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  18. Wow Karen 27 years. But at least now you know what you could never go back to that type of thing again. And clearly you are loving being out of work. Damn money though. Always fowls us up right? Thanks Kate, I am sure enjoying it right now. And a Barb and Deb video. Okay we are on that!

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  19. It's interesting how so many of us are in this boat right now! Good on us for the good sense, good vibes and good attitude to life!

    And, yeah, video. Video!!

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  20. There's nothing quite as empowering as picking a good attitude in a less than stellar situation and sticking with it. Good for you for seeing the advantage of your current circumstances. Besides, time itself is an extraordinary gift. I hope you are enjoying it.

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  21. Celeste I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying it. Piece of heaven.

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  22. Celeste, I cannot tell you how much I love your name. So I'm just gonna say it a few times, okay? Celeste Sansregret, Celeste Sansregret, Celeste Sansregret. Thank you.

    Hi Deb!

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  23. Hey, you can always chant my mantra if you start to get down.
    "There's always booze, there's always booze...." ;)
    Karen

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  24. Deb, you have such a great attitude. I really admire and respect that. And I agree with you 100%, everything does happen for a reason. When a door closes, somewhere a window opens. In the meantime, both of you enjoy your time of rest and relaxation! You deserve it!
    ~Tomine

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  25. As a matter of fact Karen we happen to have some summ'a booze with us.
    Thanks Tomine as the Mother Superior says to Maria-"When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window."

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