When submitting an audition, manuscript, or any project, I want to put my best foot forward so I can get the job, sell the book, earn money and feel productive.  But everyone else in the pool wants the work also, and is doing his or her best.  Which leaves the client in the fortunate position to choose who he or she thinks suits the project at hand. 

Planning my feelancing days has gotten more challenging over the years because I’m still not very spontaneous.  Others may be fine with ever-changing client and agent requests.  But writing auditions, jobs, social events, etc. in ink (yes, I use a paper calendar because it’s easier IMO than trying to click around on my phone to find the day(s) in question and see what’s already on them) gives me a sense of satisfaction.  I like having some sense of certainty and order.  In the acting business, that’s rare.

A potential new client informed me on 8/7 that I was one of 6 selects–in this case, the top 3 male and 3 female voices for a Friday morning session.  The client would make the final decision.  I could reschedule or perhaps push back breakfast with a friend, but if I don’t get the job I’d rather leave things as they are.  I have no way of knowing when I’ll hear, or even if. 

More and more often audition specs list the shoot/recording date as TBA or week of.  So while I glance at my upcoming calendar each time I audition, I can’t know if I’ll book any of the gigs or when they might happen.  Some on-camera auditions want availability for a callback, wardrobe fitting, and however many days of the shoot. 

Fortunately my friends are flexible.  But doctors and other service providers often require 24 hours notice of cancellation or payment of a fee or the cost of the visit.  If I don’t find out about an audition or callback until after 5PM, I either suck up the cancellation cost or pass on the opportunity. 

And as for travel, it’s been awhile since I’ve taken a long vacation.  Last month I was out of town at a conference for a mere 2 business days, but missed out on a couple of things because one of those days was either when something I could’ve auditioned for was shooting, or the only time I could’ve auditioned. 

It’s a matter of juggling priorities.  I do enjoy having many balls in the air, but sometimes I’d like to be sure how many I’ll be keeping track of at once.

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A colleague called to ask if I’d be interested in auditioning for one of two lead roles in a play she’s in that’ll run for 16 performances.  Quite flattering to hear that she’d recommended me to the director.

For a variety of reasons, I haven’t done a play for a long time, or even auditioned.  Several years ago I was asked to audition for the part of Golde in a non-Equity touring production of Fiddler on the Roof, but the weekly pay was much too low for me to consider being out of town for weeks at a time, so I declined.

Most non-Equity theatre in Chicago doesn’t pay well either, so if I got the part I wouldn’t be doing it for the money.  I’d do it for the experience, resume credit and exposure.  I’ve heard two major TV/film casting directors here talk about the value of doing theatre.  But would they or my talent agents come to see this production of a well-known play, or is it enough for them to know I did it?  Would it get good reviews, or perhaps even a Jeff (Chicago’s version of the Tony Awards) nomination?

I have to consider the rehearsal and performance time commitments, which would be significant.  I probably wouldn’t have an understudy.  Would needing to be at rehearsal or a performance prevent me from doing any on-camera work?   One of the major casting agencies requires auditionees to put theatre conflicts on each audition form. Many TV series are filming here this fall, but there’s no way to know if or how often I’d have the opportunity to audition for them.  Or would the play conflict with other commitments?  Fortunately the theatre is nearby, so I wouldn’t have to spend a lot of time commuting or money on gas.

I’m looking forward to talking with the director and gathering more information….

Where was I Thursday morning, my usual blogging time? In Atlanta with luminaries of the romance writing community.  Approximately 2000 other romance writers from household names to newbies, editors, agents and other industry professionals attended Romance Writers of America’s 33rd National Conference.  The wealth of educational and networking opportunities made it a challenge to decide how to spend my time.  Should I attend one of the 10+ workshops an hour, free publishers’ book signings or publisher spotlights?  Not if they conflicted with agent and editor appointments.  There were also assorted get-togethers and parties, and a lot of catching up with friends and making new ones.

What do you do when you feel a cold coming on?  At the first sign of a scratchy throat, I reach for the Zicam or ColdEeze.  This time, trying to ward it off failed.  I got slammed by the worst cold I’ve had in years…including a throat so sore that every swallow was a challenge, a stuffed nose, and overall discombobulation.   

I tried to rest/sleep it off by watching The Walking Dead marathon, feeling like a zombie myself as I drank orange juice, took  Dayquil and Nyquil, assorted lozenges, tea and Throat Coat tea with honey….  After several episodes, I’d become inured to the gore of zombies chewing on people and getting their heads or eyes bashed in, but was glad to have so many episodes on my DVR.

Every so often I’d make my way to my computer, but couldn’t focus on anything beyond an email or two.  I managed to go to a lovely garden party Saturday night, but suffered most of four days and nights. Lingering effects include some laryngitis.  I put off a couple of VO auditions as long as I could, and hope I didn’t sound too scratchy when I did them.  I postponed a workshop.  I’ve never felt worse at an audition than I did this Tuesday, but the casting session director said she liked all three of my takes.  Fortunately the scene wasn’t very long or complicated.

By the time Wednesday rolled around, I had so much to catch up on from errands to work that I put in more hours than usual, and rewarded myself by meeting friends for a late drink.  I still feel a little out of sorts. 

Usually I’m efficient and a pretty good time manager.  But when whole days are lost to illness, I feel derailed.  Getting back on track physically and mentally is a challenge.  Checking a lot of items off the to do list yesterday was satisfying, but there’s also pressure to get out a large project that’d already be underway if I hadn’t gotten sick.

Hope I’m back to 100% soon.

This week I received a letter from Aetna saying my insurance plan isn’t grandfathered under the upcoming health care law and I may have to pay more for health insurance.

I already pay what I consider to be a very high amount for a high deductible plan.  So why under a law that begins with “affordable” should I have to pay even more? 

I’m not looking forward to investigating all of the options…will I be able to pay less, but still have quality coverage?  Time will tell.  

Unfortunately, many of us will cross paths with people who have malicious intent.  They may lie, commit a crime such as embezzlement, or otherwise take advantage of those who believe in honesty.

Every career has its ups and downs, so sometimes we have to take the good with the bad.  When I embarked upon the life of a freelancer after 16 years in corporate America sales, marketing and training, I knew I was leaving behind more than four weeks of paid vacation and personal days, benefits, and a salary. I knew I’d need to rely even more on self-discipline.  I didn’t know what would surprise me the most–positively or negatively– about my new lifestyle.

a. Auditions can pop up at any time. If it’s on-camera, they’ll say, “Be at this casting agency at 1:05 on Tuesday.”  Only rarely can you ask for a different time.  Turnaround times for VO auditions seem to be getting shorter.