A snail moves faster than the entertainment industry right now. Blessed are the ones who are established and working! Some of the points discussed during the bitch session of my acting class last night were; 1) The SAG AFTRA mess 2) the sharp plummet in number of pilots being made 3) the plummet in work generally, leading top actors to take guest-star and even co-star television roles. After hearing my acting teacher talk about the changes that have happened and are happening, I can’t help but think “holy shit, I’m crazy to be in this right now.” But that’s really not true for me. I’m in it because I am being true to my passions. Doing something else would leave me feeling unfulfilled. I’m making it about the journey, because arriving at the destination is not the end-all-be-all. Realistically, it may take a while for things to straighten out, but I’ll be here, ready. To paint a picture of current conditions, he stated 10 years ago a national commercial would earn an actor 70 to 80K in a year. Today you’re lucky if you get 10K. A few years ago, pilot season in Hollywood meant hundreds of pilots were being made, last year there were about 35. The execs (I’d like to call it “The Man”) have figured out how to cut their costs, get around the unions, and devalue actors. He suggested a current trend of web series production instead of pilots, because pilots are a big money risk/cost and web series can be a guaranteed profit if you find sponsors/advertising. It blows my mind that there are two competing unions that are progressively devaluing actors as time goes on. Aftra is winning more and more contracts. Actors who are doing any work they can get and therefore working under contracts of both unions, are not making enough to earn pension or health insurance because their earnings are split between two unions. That is insanity. A lot of things definately are changing. The entire landscape of the entertainment industry is changing. Actors basically have to adjust with it or find something else to do. It’s pretty funny how some people glamorize pretty much anybody who’s in Hollywood “acting.” It’s harder and tougher than anyone can imagine, but I seem unable to stop, like some kind of addict. I’m ok being one these “crazies.” Wink, wink.
PS – Writer of the last movie I auditioned for read my last blog and posted good luck. That is so cool! Best of luck to the Touristers Project and J.P. Linde!
