Dramatic Drama – Day 5 of 7: Bad Horror Flick?

That video job had supercharged me into getting one step closer to my job that I wanted, but it was one of my first entertainment gigs that I ever had. So while it was fun, I was still new to it.
Later on I would read a great resource on the web called “You Must Act” by Bob Fraser which is a good online resource that is free who said that one might be able to get into working with film, theater, and “the industry” but one has to be able to work hard and humble oneself. Thus, I was willing to do a repeat of my journey, only this time I journeyed south to Kentucky instead of to my state capitol. And I think it was a learning experience.
But would I do it again if I had to schedule an offday on New Year’s Eve, wake up at 3:00 am drive 2 hours there to work on a low budget horror flick for four hours, break for cheap bologna sandwich & pop lunch, and then drive 2 hours back? I’m not sure. I knew that the person described the project as a “short indie film”, but I don’t know if I could do it again. It was exhausting by the end of the day, to say the least.
I’m not ungrateful or trying to be non-humble, but next time I think I will set a goal and be more selective about my projects in the future. This one challenged me physically, and I hope next time it will challenge me mentally. This is how we college students should all look at our jobs. Sure, we should be grateful to have a steady income and a good paying job, but we have to also draw the line on how the job ends up affecting us. Is this what I want to do? Is it challenging me and fulfilling? Is it a good temporary step where I can make some cash for whatever shortage reason I’m in now? If something is not making you feel right, you need to reevaluate your situation, maybe tough it out or make a change.
I read that Michael J. Fox, one of my favorite stars of the “Back to the Future” series once did a gig where he was working on both “Family Ties” during the day and then the “Back to the Future” movie during the night. He had to get a chaffeur to shuttle him around, tuck him into bed, and rouse him up for the next morning. And I’ve come to realize that what seperates those that are truly successful from those that aren’t is part luck (being in the right place at the right time) and a lot of hard work (blood, sweat, and tears).
One good thing I got out of the trip up there despite having such short screen time, relative to the time and effort I put into the trip, was I met two new contacts, and I also ended “playing a good guy.” That is, I met a guy who like me was unsure about whether the trip or film had been worth their time. And it felt good to give him some words of encouraging advice.
Job seekers are like actors and vice versa. It’s always better to help out a fellow man instead of stepping over them to get a part or a role or a job. You never know when you’ll work with them later or when you’ll need their help. When you help others, you help yourself too.