I've Been Tagged... And Other Childhood Niceties
Like a month ago, my friend Katy sent me what she referred to as a "blog tag." The premise being that she makes a post and then I post the same list of ten questions and answer them (think: survey but with better title). So here it is in all it's glory.
Note: The fact that 'books' are the subject makes me feel a little self-conscious. As a writer, I always feel embarrassed by how little I actually read. My new belief (or my thinly-constructed justification argument) is that reading isn't mentally engaging enough for me (or mentally engaging in the right ways for my mind to stay occupied), but I'll get more into that later.
1. One Book that Changed My Life: As lame as this may sound, it may very well be "Dave Barry's Complete Guide To Guys." I read it in high school and, up until that point, I believed all books to be boring... one of the least entertaining mediums out there. But this book made me laugh out loud. It engaged me from the very beginning and kept me engaged. It may have been one of the first--if not THE first--book I ever picked up, read, and (most importantly) FINISHED in my life. It was one of those books that make you say "Hey... I could write a book like this," and I don't think HighSchool!John ever thought that before. Plus, it has a diagram of how men use public restrooms. Classy.
Honorable Mention: Stephen King's "On Writing".
2. One Book that You've Read More than Once: I think the Harry Potter series is probably what I'll go with here. I rarely read books more than once... and rarely watch movies more than once... and rarely play a video game all the way through more than once. It's nothing against any of these genres, I just feel I have a good grasp on everything that happened the first time I read/watched/played. But I think I read the Potter books (1-4) again before the fifth book came out.
3. One Book You'd Want on a Desert Island: Katy said the Bible... and that's actually a really good choice for me, too. It's a dense book, full of things to read and reflect upon multiple times. But I hate stealing answers, so my answer is probably the Complete Works of William Shakespeare. I'll give you three reasons: 1) Dense book, lots to re-read and reflect upon; 2) If I ever get picked up from that island and have all the plays memorized, people will mistake me for someone who's smart; and 3) A book of plays means that I could have my own theatre on the island... with me playing all the different parts. How much fun would it be to be both Hamlet and Ophelia if there was no one there to mock how stupid you look?
Honorable Mention: The Dictionary. For reasons 1 and 2 listed above, plus it would take a REALLY long time to read all the way through.
4. One Book that Made You Laugh: Lots of books I read make me laugh out loud... so I'll give you the most recent one that I've read that really made me laugh hard. Katy was on the right tract by giving a David Sedaris book, but she gave the wrong one. The correct answer is "Me Talk Pretty One Day." Laugh out loud funny. I tried to read a section to my sister once and couldn't make it through it.
5. One Book that Made You Cry: My checkbook! HA! I slay me. In all honesty, it's probably the most recent Harry Potter book. Let's not talk about why.
6. One Book You Wish Had Been Written: It's not a book, but I'm uber pissed that I wasn't the one who created the Star Wars universe. Granted, I probably wouldn't have had the brains to create my own special effects company (and then video game company... Remember Maniac Mansion? Who doesn't!!!), but if I were to have written the prequels to my already successful franchise, I wouldn't have sucked so much ass at it. I mean, stereotyped new characters, horrible 'love scene' dialog, and a nonsensical leap through time from one new movie to the next (How come Anakin was the only one who got older?) AND from the new movies to the old (How come Darth Vader was so rusty with the lightsaber when fighting Luke?... I mean, just look at all the cool moves he had in the new movies, did he forget how to twirl the saber? Is it because he's more machine now than man? Twisted and evil?), and you've got the makings of a recipe to sink your franchise! If it wasn't for the amazing Knights of the Old Republic storylines (and the games in which you'll find them), the cute and clever Lego Star Wars, and the constant DVD updates to the originals, this would be a dead franchise indeed. I've got an idea... give me a few hundred grand and let me explore the darker side of Star Wars: How would a Boba Fett/bounty hunter movie strike anyone? How about a Knights of the Old Republic movie? The storyline from the game is almost good enough to be a movie anyway. I've already said too much about something that's not a book... and, moving on...
7. One Book that You Wish Had Never Been Written: In college, I was chastised by my entire class for hating Edith Wharton's "The House of Mirth." One of the things that pissed me off most about that 'discussion' (if you can call a group beratement lead by the teacher a discussion) is that I couldn't actually make it far enough in the book to have intelligent arguments. The best I could do is to say that I HATE any book or movie or anything that tries to tell me how hard it is to be in the 'rich' and 'upper-class' crowd. I find nothing more mind-numbingly boring than reading about how every move they make has to be calculated or else they'll be shunned by their "friends." I've, frankly, never been the type to care... so the book can not possibly speak to me on any level. Additionally, I hate the book for that one day in class where I ended up looking like the bad guy for thinking a book was boring. Excuse me!
8. One Book That You're Currently Reading: This is us getting back to what I mentioned in the introduction. The book I was most recently reading (just finished not too long ago) is called "Everything Bad Is Good For You: How Today's Popular Culture is Actually Making Us Smarter" by Steven Johnson. His book is a fascinating study of pop culture and, in it, he concludes that things such as Reality TV, Video Games, and even the internet have allowed more 'classic' forms of entertainment to become multi-layered and re-viewable. He said that reality TV has trained our eyes to look for non-verbal communication and honest emotion on television. Additionally, TiVo and DVD recorders/players compounded with internet chat-rooms/discussion forums have allowed TV and movies to become so complex that we have to watch and re-watch just to catch everything. I'm butchering his argument here a little, and I apologize to Mr. Johnson... but my ultimate point here is that books don't actively engage my mind in the way video games do. With a game, you are allowed freedom of movement along a narrative and even the freedom to drastically change the narrative almost whenever you want. It was this point (of his) that first got me REALLY thinking about why I prefer games to books. I think the book's fixed narrative is what turns me off. If I don't like where the book is going, there's nothing I can do besides stop reading. I have no recourse of action--I can't change the narrative if what I'm thinking is more interesting to me--everything's already taken care of. That's why, while the written page will always be around, I think a more interactive story-telling is REALLY the future of stories. And I think, right now, video games are the only place to find such a thing. We'll see.
9. One Book You've Been Meaning to Read: Up until recently, I would've said that DaVinci Code book (over-hyped!). But since I read the last "must-read book," now I don't know what all the kids are talking about anymore. I suppose I feel like I wasn't forced to read the "classic" books that everyone else seemed to have been forced to read in high school... so if I were to pick one book, it would probably be "Catcher In The Rye."
10. Now Tag 5 People: This is where Katy and I will differ. She actually tagged people, but I don't know five people who blog anymore. Had this been 2004 (the year of the Blog), I would've had plenty of candidates. But, as it is, people have been turned off to the voyeuristic thrill that is exposing your inner-thoughts to complete strangers on different continents. What has the world come to if I can't explain my fear of water to someone in New Zealand? For shame, America... for shame.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Um... BRRR!
It seems like just a short time ago when I was able to go outside and enjoy a beautiful day in the mid-70s or even a day with the temperatures spilling into the 80s. In fact, that was only one week ago. But yesterday's high in Chicago was 41... and right now it's only 39 (all temps Fahrenheit. Take THAT, rest of the world!). I suppose where this hits home the most is in my actual apartment. You see, dearest reader, my building lets its residents borrow an air conditioner unit which THEY even put in the window for you. What they don't tell you, however, is that they take the air conditioner units out on there own damn sweet time. So, while the wooden plank they set up seems to keep rain out when it rains... the wood most certainly doesn't keep the cold out. It has to be about 50 degrees in the living room, thanks to the freezing temps outside. The air conditioner won't be taken out until next week, which leaves me in an interesting situation: I could take it out myself, leaving an air conditioner INSIDE the apartment for a week; or I could man-up and fight the cold for a week. Manning up is fine for me, but Chelsey has problems with the "man" part. As such, I've constructed an interesting warm-up regiment. Since the bedroom has a door and can be closed off from the living room, that's what I do; then I turn on all the lights in the bedroom; and, finally, I put plenty of blankets on the couch and have some more on hand to put over them... and you've got a sure-fire way to fight an OPEN WINDOW to the COLD! Am I mad at my building management company? Certainly yes... as Chelse and I asked to have the AC out a couple weeks ago, when it seemed like the temps were going to get colder.
Speaking of cold, I look forward to watching Tigers playoff baseball in the freezing temps. Nothing makes me happier than seeing freezing cold baseball players. Check it out today at 4.30 Eastern.
It seems like just a short time ago when I was able to go outside and enjoy a beautiful day in the mid-70s or even a day with the temperatures spilling into the 80s. In fact, that was only one week ago. But yesterday's high in Chicago was 41... and right now it's only 39 (all temps Fahrenheit. Take THAT, rest of the world!). I suppose where this hits home the most is in my actual apartment. You see, dearest reader, my building lets its residents borrow an air conditioner unit which THEY even put in the window for you. What they don't tell you, however, is that they take the air conditioner units out on there own damn sweet time. So, while the wooden plank they set up seems to keep rain out when it rains... the wood most certainly doesn't keep the cold out. It has to be about 50 degrees in the living room, thanks to the freezing temps outside. The air conditioner won't be taken out until next week, which leaves me in an interesting situation: I could take it out myself, leaving an air conditioner INSIDE the apartment for a week; or I could man-up and fight the cold for a week. Manning up is fine for me, but Chelsey has problems with the "man" part. As such, I've constructed an interesting warm-up regiment. Since the bedroom has a door and can be closed off from the living room, that's what I do; then I turn on all the lights in the bedroom; and, finally, I put plenty of blankets on the couch and have some more on hand to put over them... and you've got a sure-fire way to fight an OPEN WINDOW to the COLD! Am I mad at my building management company? Certainly yes... as Chelse and I asked to have the AC out a couple weeks ago, when it seemed like the temps were going to get colder.
Speaking of cold, I look forward to watching Tigers playoff baseball in the freezing temps. Nothing makes me happier than seeing freezing cold baseball players. Check it out today at 4.30 Eastern.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Unfinished Business
Recently, after watching X-Men 3 on DVD, I remembered a little video game called X-Men Legends. It's 'hack and slash' meets 'role playing game'... as you basically go around and punch stuff, level up your X-Men character, and use the X-Man's special talents and powers to punch more stuff. It's a lot of fun in its mindlessness... and being able to use new and more powerful abilities is what keeps us geeks playing. Regardless, I own both of the games in the series... and, while I was watching X-Men 3, I remembered that I haven't finished either of the games. In fact, when I started thinking about it, I must own at least half a dozen games that I've played almost all the way through, but for some reason haven't finished. And that, in turn, also reminded me that I have dozens of books that I've started and never finished. Is this indicative of a problem with me?
Well, now that I'm thinking about it, I think there is something about me--something that really enjoys STARTING things, but doesn't necessarily enjoy FINISHING--that is a problem. Could it be that I get bored? It does seem hard to hold my attention for long periods of time. Watching movies has become increasingly hard for me: I fidget, and feel like I should be doing something else; something more interactive. And--particularly because of my reading ability (or lack thereof)--both reading and video games take a long time to complete start-to-finish. As such, it seems like I always find something more interesting to me before I'm done with the previous activity.
I guess this knowledge of myself is the reason why I'm so hesitant to throw myself headlong into writing. I've started a novel... I've started full-length plays... I've started a screenplay--but I don't know how to keep myself interested for long enough to actually finish. Even this blog, which I kept at for months and years, has fallen by the wayside as I find other things to do. That scares me, frankly. I don't know how to keep myself interested in a particular task for long enough to finish it. And with writing, God, you have the first draft, then the second and third... and I rarely have the wherewithal to finish the first draft on anything longer than 5 pages. That was why I thought Second City and sketch comedy would be so good for me... short bursts of humor, get-in-get-out, and move on!
Where does this leave me then? What have all these questions taught me about myself? Well, perhaps stupidly, I figure if I can finish the small stuff--the stuff that doesn't matter--then I can finish anything. Which brings me back to the beginning of this post: I am going to finish those X-Men Legends games. I reckon, if I can finish things from months or years ago that don't matter... then I'll know I can and will be able to finish important things in the future. Maybe it's stupid but, hey... that's me. Wait... don't call me stupid.
Recently, after watching X-Men 3 on DVD, I remembered a little video game called X-Men Legends. It's 'hack and slash' meets 'role playing game'... as you basically go around and punch stuff, level up your X-Men character, and use the X-Man's special talents and powers to punch more stuff. It's a lot of fun in its mindlessness... and being able to use new and more powerful abilities is what keeps us geeks playing. Regardless, I own both of the games in the series... and, while I was watching X-Men 3, I remembered that I haven't finished either of the games. In fact, when I started thinking about it, I must own at least half a dozen games that I've played almost all the way through, but for some reason haven't finished. And that, in turn, also reminded me that I have dozens of books that I've started and never finished. Is this indicative of a problem with me?
Well, now that I'm thinking about it, I think there is something about me--something that really enjoys STARTING things, but doesn't necessarily enjoy FINISHING--that is a problem. Could it be that I get bored? It does seem hard to hold my attention for long periods of time. Watching movies has become increasingly hard for me: I fidget, and feel like I should be doing something else; something more interactive. And--particularly because of my reading ability (or lack thereof)--both reading and video games take a long time to complete start-to-finish. As such, it seems like I always find something more interesting to me before I'm done with the previous activity.
I guess this knowledge of myself is the reason why I'm so hesitant to throw myself headlong into writing. I've started a novel... I've started full-length plays... I've started a screenplay--but I don't know how to keep myself interested for long enough to actually finish. Even this blog, which I kept at for months and years, has fallen by the wayside as I find other things to do. That scares me, frankly. I don't know how to keep myself interested in a particular task for long enough to finish it. And with writing, God, you have the first draft, then the second and third... and I rarely have the wherewithal to finish the first draft on anything longer than 5 pages. That was why I thought Second City and sketch comedy would be so good for me... short bursts of humor, get-in-get-out, and move on!
Where does this leave me then? What have all these questions taught me about myself? Well, perhaps stupidly, I figure if I can finish the small stuff--the stuff that doesn't matter--then I can finish anything. Which brings me back to the beginning of this post: I am going to finish those X-Men Legends games. I reckon, if I can finish things from months or years ago that don't matter... then I'll know I can and will be able to finish important things in the future. Maybe it's stupid but, hey... that's me. Wait... don't call me stupid.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Two And A Half Blocks In The Rain
I've decided that the above distance, about two and a half blocks, is the perfect distance to really mess up your clothes in the rain. Consider: anything more than three blocks--four or five CITY blocks, for instance--is too far to even attempt running through the rain. You look at outside, you've got four blocks to go, and you say "There's no way I'm walking that far in THAT," and you stay where you are until the rain subsides. Alternatively, if you've only got a block to go, you man-up and sprint the block in the rain. You'll end up a little damp, but it's nothing that won't dry in a few minutes.
"Why bring this up?" you ask. Why do I bring anything up on my blog?! Because I feel like it! Now I feel like yelling! AHH! Regardless, Monday of this week I had my SC gig rehearsal. As such, Monday I headed to the Training Center. When I left my apartment, the sun was shining, and it was still warm enough that I didn't need a jacket. As I got to the bus, it was sprinkling a bit, but nothing to make me think I was in trouble. I then waited for the L and, still, there wasn't anything to make me think I should turn around. But the weather changed as I got on the train, and it started hailing only a stop after I got onto the train. Hail!
Which reminds me... I should mention that it's been the rainiest, dampest, August-September-and-into-October that I can ever remember here in Chicago this year. It's rained at least once a week for the past couple months and, normally, when it rains one day it'll rain the next two days as well.
Which brings me back to the train, Monday afternoon. It's raining... hard! and I've got two and a half blocks from the Sedgewick El stop to the Training Center. I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing at the TC, but I know I'm getting paid, so I don't want to be late and I don't want to arrive wet. These two things, at this point, are incommensurable. I'm supposed to be there at 2... and it was probably 1:47ish by the time I got to my train stop. I have very little time to wait for the rain to let up (which it didn't look like it was doing). It had stopped hailing, but it was still raining hard. I jumped off the train... and cut across the street to an awning, where a jogger had stopped to wait for the rain to let up. I asked her how long she'd been waiting, and she said she'd been waiting for a while--the storm sneaking up on her just after she left. I figured it wasn't going to let up in time for me to completely wait it out, so my dress clothes and I starting jogging. I decided quick bursts/sprints to various awnings was the best course of action... and I was able to meet a few groups of people along the way (all being caught by the swiftness of this storm). When I reached the training center I was drenched. Even my best efforts to avoid the heaviest downpours left me wet on top and the front of my pants (the backside of my pants was moving too fast for the rain [I pretend to believe]).
Fortunately for me, not only was the rehearsal very relaxed... but about 90% of the people who were there were also caught in the rain, so everyone came in soaked. It turns out that the gig was not a filming, but simply a press conference. The good news? It was a relaxed atmosphere, I had a few laughs, and I made as much money on Tuesday as I would have with a "real" job. Good work, if you can get it.
OH FAVRE!
This topic could easily be about how terrible my Packers have been this year. But I don't feel like crying on my internet (huh?), so it's not. No. This topic is about the Prilasec (I don't care if I misspelled it, I did it on purpose) OTC commercial that I just saw Brett doing. You know, thanks to the pills, my quarterback now no longer has frequent heartburn... and that makes me happy. Perhaps frequent heartburn is the cause of dozens of interceptions per year? Or could it be the worst receiving corp in the league? You tell me. Shouldn't sports figures be selling stuff related to sports? Should I be disheartened that my QB is hocking heartburn medication? Or should I be happy that people still recognize a player on my team? Unlike some other teams in the league (I'm looking at you, Detroit Lions).
I've decided that the above distance, about two and a half blocks, is the perfect distance to really mess up your clothes in the rain. Consider: anything more than three blocks--four or five CITY blocks, for instance--is too far to even attempt running through the rain. You look at outside, you've got four blocks to go, and you say "There's no way I'm walking that far in THAT," and you stay where you are until the rain subsides. Alternatively, if you've only got a block to go, you man-up and sprint the block in the rain. You'll end up a little damp, but it's nothing that won't dry in a few minutes.
"Why bring this up?" you ask. Why do I bring anything up on my blog?! Because I feel like it! Now I feel like yelling! AHH! Regardless, Monday of this week I had my SC gig rehearsal. As such, Monday I headed to the Training Center. When I left my apartment, the sun was shining, and it was still warm enough that I didn't need a jacket. As I got to the bus, it was sprinkling a bit, but nothing to make me think I was in trouble. I then waited for the L and, still, there wasn't anything to make me think I should turn around. But the weather changed as I got on the train, and it started hailing only a stop after I got onto the train. Hail!
Which reminds me... I should mention that it's been the rainiest, dampest, August-September-and-into-October that I can ever remember here in Chicago this year. It's rained at least once a week for the past couple months and, normally, when it rains one day it'll rain the next two days as well.
Which brings me back to the train, Monday afternoon. It's raining... hard! and I've got two and a half blocks from the Sedgewick El stop to the Training Center. I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing at the TC, but I know I'm getting paid, so I don't want to be late and I don't want to arrive wet. These two things, at this point, are incommensurable. I'm supposed to be there at 2... and it was probably 1:47ish by the time I got to my train stop. I have very little time to wait for the rain to let up (which it didn't look like it was doing). It had stopped hailing, but it was still raining hard. I jumped off the train... and cut across the street to an awning, where a jogger had stopped to wait for the rain to let up. I asked her how long she'd been waiting, and she said she'd been waiting for a while--the storm sneaking up on her just after she left. I figured it wasn't going to let up in time for me to completely wait it out, so my dress clothes and I starting jogging. I decided quick bursts/sprints to various awnings was the best course of action... and I was able to meet a few groups of people along the way (all being caught by the swiftness of this storm). When I reached the training center I was drenched. Even my best efforts to avoid the heaviest downpours left me wet on top and the front of my pants (the backside of my pants was moving too fast for the rain [I pretend to believe]).
Fortunately for me, not only was the rehearsal very relaxed... but about 90% of the people who were there were also caught in the rain, so everyone came in soaked. It turns out that the gig was not a filming, but simply a press conference. The good news? It was a relaxed atmosphere, I had a few laughs, and I made as much money on Tuesday as I would have with a "real" job. Good work, if you can get it.
OH FAVRE!
This topic could easily be about how terrible my Packers have been this year. But I don't feel like crying on my internet (huh?), so it's not. No. This topic is about the Prilasec (I don't care if I misspelled it, I did it on purpose) OTC commercial that I just saw Brett doing. You know, thanks to the pills, my quarterback now no longer has frequent heartburn... and that makes me happy. Perhaps frequent heartburn is the cause of dozens of interceptions per year? Or could it be the worst receiving corp in the league? You tell me. Shouldn't sports figures be selling stuff related to sports? Should I be disheartened that my QB is hocking heartburn medication? Or should I be happy that people still recognize a player on my team? Unlike some other teams in the league (I'm looking at you, Detroit Lions).
Monday, October 02, 2006
How Quickly Two Weeks Can Pass
My last blog post was during the push to finish my sitcom spec for class. What followed was a busy weekend where I tried not to think about my story... trying to give it air so that, when I came back to it, I'd have a new perspective. I saw an improv show at Donny's Skybox on Friday night consisting of many of the women with whom I graduated the program... and then Saturday night I went to ComedySportz and saw that show for the first time here in Chicago. They have a new space that's pretty nice (if hard to get to), and the show was what I would later describe as "interesting." I couldn't do ComedySportz... I would probably be annoyed by the format after a while... only playing short games and never REALLY getting into anything that seems real ("real theatre" that is, if you take my meaning).
A week has passed since that last post. I'm finished with my episode of "Family Guy," which didn't get rave reviews in class... but it seemed like the class enjoyed it, and struggled to find something which was 'obviously' wrong.
I had a productive weekend... getting a lot done for the apartment and for my internship. Oh, that's right, I haven't really said anything about my internship. I'm now the Writing Program intern at SC... which means I do stuff for them every week and they give me a free class. That's how I could afford my Sitcom class (BTW, I'm going back and forth on whether or not to take a Screenplay course that's only offered once a year. I should take it, shouldn't I? Well, I need Final Draft and that costs big bucks... so I'm still debating). As the intern, I talk with the younger writing students about their opportunities within the program... I set up the Writing sketch show auditions... and I email people longer and more often than I should. I'm also going to be 'the authority' on what the intern does, as they've asked me to write the internship manual for after I 'pass' (read: die). At any rate, this past weekend I ran the auditions... which is always fun. I try to put the auditionees (who are always nervous) in a light-hearted mood... and I try to set everything up so that the only thing the writers need to worry about is who they are going to cast.
And now I come to this week, when it actually seems like I've got some stuff going for me: three paying 'gigs' in one week! (One refers to 'work' as 'gigs' if you're a poor artist, the pay is minimal, and the work is infrequent) Today and tomorrow, I'll be at SC for a Cingular wireless gig. I don't know the specifics about it yet, just that they wanted 100 Conservatory students (and former students)... and that we're filming something on Navy Pier tomorrow morning. Tomorrow night I'll be reading a script for, well, a script reading. I was offered (through my SC connections) to read a play for a local playwright. It's the first reading of her newest script... at a theatre and everything... and I'm very excited to have my hands in such an organic, local creation. It should be fun. And, finally, later in the week I'll be doing voiceover work for a children's educational cartoon. (what?) Yeah, I auditioned via sound clip for a voiceover gig (a LONG time ago... I think there was still snow on the ground), and they're finally far enough along that they want me to come in and record! So that will be Thursday and/or Friday (depending on how long it takes).
Each of these are paying gigs, mind you... but it doesn't feel like enough. And, in reality, it's not enough... I can't do stuff like this consistently enough to make the money I need to live. That's the part that angers me the most. I'd love to have my weeks filled with filming, play readings, and voiceover work... but that's just not realistic. I don't know how 'actors' do it. How do they make a living off stuff like this? That's just it. They don't. No one can. I find it slightly amusing that there is such a discrepancy between those who can make a living (those millionaire actors whose lives are so great that we have TV shows and magazines devoted just to what they do when they're not working) and those who can't (everyone else that you've never heard of). I suppose that happens in most professions, (except I can't see their being millionaire teachers AND starving teachers, just seems to be the later) but I still find it odd that 'the biz' expects you to work for free (or next to nothing) for YEARS until they say it's okay for you to make some actual, real-person money.
Negativity aside... this should be a fun week. Oh! And I'm trying to call SC to schedule an audition for the Touring Company (auditions are later in October). Wish me luck!!!
My last blog post was during the push to finish my sitcom spec for class. What followed was a busy weekend where I tried not to think about my story... trying to give it air so that, when I came back to it, I'd have a new perspective. I saw an improv show at Donny's Skybox on Friday night consisting of many of the women with whom I graduated the program... and then Saturday night I went to ComedySportz and saw that show for the first time here in Chicago. They have a new space that's pretty nice (if hard to get to), and the show was what I would later describe as "interesting." I couldn't do ComedySportz... I would probably be annoyed by the format after a while... only playing short games and never REALLY getting into anything that seems real ("real theatre" that is, if you take my meaning).
A week has passed since that last post. I'm finished with my episode of "Family Guy," which didn't get rave reviews in class... but it seemed like the class enjoyed it, and struggled to find something which was 'obviously' wrong.
I had a productive weekend... getting a lot done for the apartment and for my internship. Oh, that's right, I haven't really said anything about my internship. I'm now the Writing Program intern at SC... which means I do stuff for them every week and they give me a free class. That's how I could afford my Sitcom class (BTW, I'm going back and forth on whether or not to take a Screenplay course that's only offered once a year. I should take it, shouldn't I? Well, I need Final Draft and that costs big bucks... so I'm still debating). As the intern, I talk with the younger writing students about their opportunities within the program... I set up the Writing sketch show auditions... and I email people longer and more often than I should. I'm also going to be 'the authority' on what the intern does, as they've asked me to write the internship manual for after I 'pass' (read: die). At any rate, this past weekend I ran the auditions... which is always fun. I try to put the auditionees (who are always nervous) in a light-hearted mood... and I try to set everything up so that the only thing the writers need to worry about is who they are going to cast.
And now I come to this week, when it actually seems like I've got some stuff going for me: three paying 'gigs' in one week! (One refers to 'work' as 'gigs' if you're a poor artist, the pay is minimal, and the work is infrequent) Today and tomorrow, I'll be at SC for a Cingular wireless gig. I don't know the specifics about it yet, just that they wanted 100 Conservatory students (and former students)... and that we're filming something on Navy Pier tomorrow morning. Tomorrow night I'll be reading a script for, well, a script reading. I was offered (through my SC connections) to read a play for a local playwright. It's the first reading of her newest script... at a theatre and everything... and I'm very excited to have my hands in such an organic, local creation. It should be fun. And, finally, later in the week I'll be doing voiceover work for a children's educational cartoon. (what?) Yeah, I auditioned via sound clip for a voiceover gig (a LONG time ago... I think there was still snow on the ground), and they're finally far enough along that they want me to come in and record! So that will be Thursday and/or Friday (depending on how long it takes).
Each of these are paying gigs, mind you... but it doesn't feel like enough. And, in reality, it's not enough... I can't do stuff like this consistently enough to make the money I need to live. That's the part that angers me the most. I'd love to have my weeks filled with filming, play readings, and voiceover work... but that's just not realistic. I don't know how 'actors' do it. How do they make a living off stuff like this? That's just it. They don't. No one can. I find it slightly amusing that there is such a discrepancy between those who can make a living (those millionaire actors whose lives are so great that we have TV shows and magazines devoted just to what they do when they're not working) and those who can't (everyone else that you've never heard of). I suppose that happens in most professions, (except I can't see their being millionaire teachers AND starving teachers, just seems to be the later) but I still find it odd that 'the biz' expects you to work for free (or next to nothing) for YEARS until they say it's okay for you to make some actual, real-person money.
Negativity aside... this should be a fun week. Oh! And I'm trying to call SC to schedule an audition for the Touring Company (auditions are later in October). Wish me luck!!!
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