Boston Movie Extra

The entertainment business is a huge business and if someone was to tell me that there is no work out there, well my friends you are not trying hard enough. There are plenty of jobs in the movie business but it's not all about acting. Do you want to be in the movie business and make it a full time career well look in other avenues (casting, crew, make up, locations, coaching, etc.) the list is long. The head of the film commission had said in a recent expose that there were "plenty of jobs and not many people to fill them". What! that amazes me. These jobs can I say are fantastic and I mean fantastic paying jobs, so if you have no reposnsibilities GO FOR IT! you can always do the acting thing on the side. Always remember one thing many people working behind the scenes were former actors. Start looking because you do not an I mean do not want an opportunity to pass you by, especially in a HOT market.

Sorry guys it took me a few days to post but I have been trying to relax and I am busy at the same time. We are in our 8th year of our scavenger hunt business and "knock on wood" our busiest year to date, which is great. So that has got me pleasently busy. Back to movie world...what is happening to the North Shore Folks! I turn I see Bride Wars in Salem I turn the other way I see Proposal in Danvers I go to get a burger in Lynn I hearing Brucy Willis will be in Lynn in a day, out of all places. This is really cool North Shore!!! and the best is it's really cool for the local ecconomy. If the state could just see how this movie rush is helping, that alone should be more reason to up the ante on the credit percentage and the studios. Georgia 30%!!!, New York 30%!! Let's get moving MASS!!!!!!!

So today I am looking through the herald and I happen to be looking through the Inside Track. On that page they had this pretty long article in regards to extras and their treatment on sets. Which sets were good, which sets were not, how much money these sets spend and how they waste money on just "fooling around" etc, etc,etc. After I read that article I really just stood there and shook my head. Now I guess that stuff is fine to talk about through co-workers, but a major paper. That's a differnt story. I don't know if it was the way I was reading it but it really didn't paint a nice picture of things here in Mass. Now I don't know who they talked to, but it showed how novices they were "long hours, cooked up in a tent ,etc." To those that are new a say that type of stuff, suck it up. No one said this business was glamourous, it is a lot of hurry up and wait and those are the ropes. If you don't like it move on, do something else. Thi...

Matt S. wanted me to post the answer to his his question and the answer is some people are favorites to certain agencies. Is that fair? Of course not but it has been happening for ages. My opinion is everyone should get a crack, because the "no-one" my just be better than "the favorite" remember most dark horses win races. So to my "non favorite" friends, push the envelope and market yourself the correct and suttle way where you do not become annoying. Because remember everybody this is a small city and annoying names get remembered, and that is not a good thing. Remember if you really want it, you can become it no matter what the occupation. Want to make a note that I will having a 4 to 5hr seminar based on this blog this summer that talks about getting ahead in this business with a no holds bared type of way which is how this business should be presented. The correct presentation of how to start or be in this business is what should be delivered,...

Good afternoon everybody! Just want to make a small note as to my e-mail address. For some reason most of you either think I am Jodi Purdy or you have reached her casting agency. I don't know who gave my address out claiming I am her, so my e-mail is full with people requesting work. I wish I could give you all work, but first I am not her and second we are not a casting agency. As far as my e-mail goes, sure e-mail me with the questions, comments, etc, the usual stuff. thanks and please spread the word.

I just recieved an email from someone that was concerned that she had heard that certain casting directors are using only "New Faces". My response to that would be that would be untrue. The reason why I say that is if that was the case, each set you would go on would have a brand new crop of people, and that is not the case. What you do see is more of the same faces over and over again, plus there is a pretty big shortage to spread around on multiple projects. So no need to worry, all is well in the casting world, just because one doesn't choose you the other will.

After 19 days the survey read "what is your union affiliation" and most of my readers are either non-union or just fresh SAG members. I was amazed at the the numbers of current vet SAG members, where are you guys?! To my the new people that just got in the business and the new SAG players, welcome. To the new SAG members, remember honor the membership do not abuse it and always seek a mentor that has muchmore experience than yourself you will learn a lot. If you abuse the membership and go around saying "your SAG and you can do whatever you want" remember this community is small and you will make a bad representation of yourself especially with people you will be working with many times over again. Enjoy it and respect it. To my non-union players, welcome aboard in this exiting time and learn hands on how it is on these movie sets. It is the greatest lesson, DO NOT get suckered in photoshoots, classes, agencies, etc. do your homework and keep most of your mo...