A Day in the Life of a Sometimes Working Actor

From tough cop to football scout to fitness buff ... it's all in a day's work for me, an actor making audition rounds.

Three auditions. One day. Long waits in a stuffy room. Been there. Done that.  

But this time I'm a bit frazzled. Maybe disillusioned. You know, like when the Back Street Boys broke up (wink-wink). 

Before I vent my frustrations, let's first touch on the act of acting.

To the auditions. 

I do an early-morning workout, then head straight to my first meeting to play a cool but intense U.S. marshal for an upcoming A&E Breakout Kings promo.

As instructed, I give my best Keifer Sutherland (in 24) impersonation.    

Next, I skedaddle across town to tackle the role of a football scout at a high school game for Adidas. 

This is unique, as I have to run on a treadmill in formal wear. Heeled patent leather shoes and a two-piece suit present a challenge.

Finally, it's back to the Valley for a change. Literally. And then down the street to Sherman Oaks' own On Your Mark Studios.

I strip down to my workout gear and prepare my best "that was the most delicious and satisfying water I have EVER tasted in my life" look.  

And now for the complaining segment of this article.

Tom Petty sings, "The waiting is the hardest part." And he's wrong. 

The waiting is not the hardest part. Not getting paid for that waiting is.  

The facts: I waited 90 minutes at my first meet-'n'-greet. OK. Then, 90 minutes at the second... Ah, OK. Then a mere 45 minutes at the third.

That's a whopping 225 minutes of waiting. Unpaid leave, if you will. 

Plenty of time to text, play Texas Hold 'Em on your smartphone, actor-watch and take a bathroom break as well as brisk walks to feed the parking meter.  

If a SAG production audition takes longer than an hour, the actor is compensated for his or her time.   

In my guesstimation, I'd take in about $60 for that day.

But these auditions were under nonunion guidelines which state, your time is not money ... or something along those lines.

So move over, Occupy LA and say hello to Occupy Actor. Nonunion. The new, other 99 percent. 

Personally, I'm on the fence, union-wise. I'm SAG-eligible, which means I qualify for SAG membership but am not a full member because I have trouble raising the $2,400+ initiation fee.  

It's difficult right now for a lot of us to make that financial leap as expenses for things like electricity, food and clothes for the kids keep popping up.  

So, to summarize. All men are created equal ... except in the case of union and nonunion actors and/or productions.  

Overall, though, my spirits are high and...

(Roll the "inspirational music")... 

I hope to conquer yet another speed bump in the road that is MY life!

Happy holidays to all!!

(Fade to black).