One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
I was very proud that the last job I had was a "non-stereotypical" role for a Latina. No accent, I wasn't a maid. I was actually a successful, strong business woman. YAY!! That was one giant step forward!
Then, yesterday I was told that I had two auditions for today - BOTH were maid roles! wow. Then, as quick as I got both of those auditions, they were gone! :(
The first one was a commercial and I couldn't make it because I was working until 2:30pm and they were only seeing people until noon. oops... The second one was for a pilot and they pushed the audition for tomorrow instead. It's a "large recurring guest star" on a new pilot, which probably means series regular but they don't want to negotiate that contract right now! :) But the role is of a maid. Also. Now, I'm having conflicting feelings over this one. Yes, it's work. Yes, it's a recurring role. Yes, it's a guest star role. All things I LOVE. :) And yes, it's another maid role - something I'm not crazy about, but I have done - MANY times. The issue I have with this particular role is, it's a 1/2 hour "comedy" and they use my character as the butt for a lot of ignorant racist jokes. Now I know they wrote it this way so my character seems like the normal one out of a cast of dysfunctional people - but still...I hate to be part of something that fuels racist jokes. UGH! But, it's work - and it would be potentially GOOD work, meaning lots of pay and many future weeks of more work.
Maybe I'm being too sensitive. Maybe me feeling this way is PERFECT for the character. I'm just going to go in and do it. And if I get it - well, then, I'll deal with that when it happens. And if I don't - then I don't have to worry about it anymore! Watch me get it now...That's what usually happens. The ones I desperately want - I don't get it. The ones that I could care less about are the ones I land! hahaha That's the secret - care less - book more!
I'll let you know how it goes.
Also, I'm doing ADR looping tomorrow for the pilot "The Virgin of Akron Ohio". For those of you who may not know what ADR looping is, sometimes during a shoot they may not get a clear sound from your mic during the scene so they bring you back and loop your voice in. It's what I did on The Holiday as well. It's really fun - reminds me of when I did cartoon voice over work in Austin. They put you in a sound booth as they playback your scene on a big screen and you match up your voice to your image. And it's usually quick - like 30 minutes of work. Nice! Not a bad way to make a paycheck! :)
Then, yesterday I was told that I had two auditions for today - BOTH were maid roles! wow. Then, as quick as I got both of those auditions, they were gone! :(
The first one was a commercial and I couldn't make it because I was working until 2:30pm and they were only seeing people until noon. oops... The second one was for a pilot and they pushed the audition for tomorrow instead. It's a "large recurring guest star" on a new pilot, which probably means series regular but they don't want to negotiate that contract right now! :) But the role is of a maid. Also. Now, I'm having conflicting feelings over this one. Yes, it's work. Yes, it's a recurring role. Yes, it's a guest star role. All things I LOVE. :) And yes, it's another maid role - something I'm not crazy about, but I have done - MANY times. The issue I have with this particular role is, it's a 1/2 hour "comedy" and they use my character as the butt for a lot of ignorant racist jokes. Now I know they wrote it this way so my character seems like the normal one out of a cast of dysfunctional people - but still...I hate to be part of something that fuels racist jokes. UGH! But, it's work - and it would be potentially GOOD work, meaning lots of pay and many future weeks of more work.
Maybe I'm being too sensitive. Maybe me feeling this way is PERFECT for the character. I'm just going to go in and do it. And if I get it - well, then, I'll deal with that when it happens. And if I don't - then I don't have to worry about it anymore! Watch me get it now...That's what usually happens. The ones I desperately want - I don't get it. The ones that I could care less about are the ones I land! hahaha That's the secret - care less - book more!
I'll let you know how it goes.
Also, I'm doing ADR looping tomorrow for the pilot "The Virgin of Akron Ohio". For those of you who may not know what ADR looping is, sometimes during a shoot they may not get a clear sound from your mic during the scene so they bring you back and loop your voice in. It's what I did on The Holiday as well. It's really fun - reminds me of when I did cartoon voice over work in Austin. They put you in a sound booth as they playback your scene on a big screen and you match up your voice to your image. And it's usually quick - like 30 minutes of work. Nice! Not a bad way to make a paycheck! :)
Comments
The question is, will this sprocket pay enough for it to be worth your time as a professional? consider your value and expect the right compensation.
as for the racist tendencies, I like that you're thinking of how your distaste might contribute to the character you're being considered to play.
In the long run, listen to your instincts about this one. who knows what will happen either way (if you were to choose it or go against it?)
in the meantime, would you make a list of the roles you've played and post it? it might be interesting to see how many are not reliant on your ethnicity!