Aug 18 2008
Hollywood: Check your self-esteem at the door
It is amazing what people think actors will do to get a break — but it is more amazing to see what they actually will do. One of them is take abuse from a nasty director/manager. I was in a situation like this once — a film/performance group had a manager who was an oppressive, ego-maniacal jerk — but they all bowed their little heads and stood with their tails between their legs when he insulted them or felt the need to otherwise assert his supreme authority. Over a small performance group of about twenty people. Seriously. Oh, and I quit after a week. It took the utmost amount of self-discipline to not tell this guy what I really thought of him in front of everyone.
Fan Mail Monday
Is it Monday already? Must be time for fan mail questions!
Hey Steve
I’ve heard that extra work for Hollywood can actually be common enough where if you’re willing to you can in fact make a living off of it, and was wondering if you had encountered many of these career long “extras” or “background” during your time in Hollywood.
Side note, what are the cars really like out there? As a lover of all cars, both import and domestic, you hear a mixed bag about vehicles in California as there is a huge car community but also there is the fact you live in California, which has the most stringent laws concerning the automobile. Any thoughts, views, experiences, or observations? Thanks! — John
Well John, yes, you can make a living off of extra work. Again, as long as you have no spine and are willing to be paid little and subjected to conditions that often people would get hazard pay for. “Hey guys, in this scene you will all be reactor shielding for the nuclear facility!” I’ve met a few. Most of them have retired from some career and are having fun doing extra work.
California Cars
This is a state with, I kid you not, no vehicle inspection requirements. So, they will allow a car that is a hazard to everyone and about to fall apart on the freeway as long as it passes the freaking hippie emissions requirements. There are plenty of garages out here that will finagle your results on your death car. So, sometimes you see the most amazing pieces of crap on the road ever. However, there are tons of sportscars and I regularly see Lotuses, at least one a week. I see cars that cost more than I have made in my entire lifetime on a frequent basis. You know, once a week at the Bob’s Big Boy here in Burbank they have a “cruise in” with amazing and cool cars. Remember, it is where I met Jay Leno?
Picture of the Day
It just so happens that I saw a cool car yesterday. This was at a parade in Little Tokyo for “Nisei Week.”
