I guess I'll just go chronologically. Probably makes the most sense. I can't remember if I told y'all about when I entered a commercial competition a while back or not. Anyway, me and two other people created this commercial and entered in the contest in hopes of winning and getting lots of cash for our artistic genius. We were finalists. We didn't win. Months went by. Then, out of nowhere, they want to buy our commercial. It was very exciting. Disclaimer: we didn't make a lot of cash, but we made some. So that's nice. I think it will only be on the internet, but I'm not sure. Regardless, here it is for your viewing pleasure.
Since moving to LA last year (kinda crazy to think I've been here over a year now, really dosen't seem like it) I have been looking for an agent (both commercial and theatrical) and have made little headway. Well, through some networking I managed to get a meeting with an agent I hadn't met before. A friend of mine works as an intern at this particular agency and that is the reason she agreed to see me. After about a 30 minute meeting she offered to take me on. So, obviously I am excited about that. We still haven't actually signed anything, but have a handshake deal and plan to meet soon to sign the papers and what have you.
Lastly, and what I am most excited about is what happened today.
I've always wanted to be one of those people with a really cool job.
Let me back up a little bit. There is a website which I have been a fan of for some time, and I have applied for a position here on a previous occasion. I didn't get it the first go 'round, which I expected, but it also kept me from applying to a similar job not too long after the first had been filled. Anyway, a different site that it is affiliated with recently posted an opening for a paid internship. I applied. The submission was to include, résumé, cover letter, 10 pictures that you thought fit the branding of the site, and a 1-minute video as to why you were the perfect candidate for the job. About a week went by without hearing anything, so I assumed that it was a similar fate to the first time I applied.
On my way to work (as a caddy at a country club) I got a call from a number I didn't know. I was driving, and since I didn't know the number, made no effort to put my earphones in to answer. Once I saw they left a message and I was at a red light, I put in my handsfree device and pressed play on the voicemail. It was "John, from Tapiture". Well. Isn't that exciting? He wants to talk more about my submission over the phone. I call back. We talk for a few minutes and he wants me to come in to meet in person and continue the dialogue. I am supposed to work this tournament, so I ask to schedule the meeting for tomorrow. Perfect. As I sign in at the caddyshack, the caddy master says they don't need me today. Well, that would have been nice to know before not being available for an awesome interview. I call the gentleman back and inform him that I am now available to meet anytime today if that is preferable. It is. The meeting is set for 1:30(which is 3 hours from where we are in the story). I call T&L just to talk to someone while I start to panic. They give very good advice about what to do. Maybe go real early, park, walk around, have some lunch, and grab a beer. Then make sure to chew some gum after the lunch and beer, before interviewing. I agree it's a good plan.
I am invited into the inner sanctum of this place I have so long been a fan of. To even be taken behind the curtain and see how it is run is something fans of this site would pay large sums of money to do. I meet and greet some people, get the tour, etc before heading into the conference room to be asked questions I haven't had really any time to prepare for. This part goes well enough, though I do get real nervous mid-interview as I feel I've been rambling for too long and just stop mid-sentence acknowledging I am rambling, and that the interviewer should revert back to the last time I stopped talking as my answer, because at that point, I had answered the question, and there was no need to continue to "expand/say the same things over and over again". He then introduces me to another member of the team for some more questions and whatnot, then he returns for one last session. We talk about potential compensation, when would I be able to start yadda yadda, then finally asks again if I have any more questions. I ask, timidly, if there would potentially be any flexibility regarding acting, or if I would just have to make the decision to stop pursuing that. The answer was perfect. I can't really remember verbatim what it was, but, it was exactly what I wanted to hear. Essentially, "yes, there would be some flexibility, it's all about managing life, and just making sure the work gets done. As long as the communication was there, and the work doesn't suffer, then go for it. And if it gets to a point where it's taking up more time than we would like, we can have the talk--- you know, where we discuss maybe bumping down to part time." So I guess that's actually pretty close to verbatim.
He leaves the room.
Comes back.
"I have to be honest...."
Ok cool, they liked be but it isn't the right fit. At least I got to interview and see the offices (which I neglected to mention are on the beach).
"....we don't normally do this, but we really like you and thought you had some good answers. If your interested, we'd love to extend an offer."
Oh, well then. Offer accepted.
This all happened in a 6-hour span. From when I received the voice mail, to walking out of the office with an offer sheet, I would have probably still been lining up putts for a 30 handicapper who thought it was my fault he couldn't get out of the bunker(err sand trap, except it's a bunker, because there is no trap, it's there for you to see, no tricks, nor traps, just don't hit it there).
As I was driving home and debriefing the family, I could hardly contain my excitement. This is the type of job, that even if I'm not able to act while doing it, I truly believe I will enjoy it enough to be OK with that. And what else could I possible ask for? A creative job, on the beach, with beer on tap not twenty feet from my desk. Pretty perfect.
So tomorrow, I launch into a new adventure, not entirely sure what it holds or where it will take me. But I have a feeling it will be a helluva ride.
