09.27.07
Why I wouldn’t make it in LA
This is why it is probably very prudent that I didn’t move to LA to become an actress right away. I have no buffer on my mouth when something offends me. For example:
After playing merry-go-phone with a guy who is looking for an actress for a few hours. We talk about getting together and so on in the Portland fashion of coffee shops and such to do an audition.
During one particular re-schedule, I say “Well, actually I’m on my way to Backspace right now if you want to meet there.”
“What is that?” He asked.
“It’s a coffee shop with computers and stuff.”
“Oh,” he said heavily. “So it’s some sort of place for Dorks to hang out?”
I paused, then ladled, “Yeah, well, you know what – we seem to not be able to agree on a good time and place so let’s just call it good. If you have projects in the future feel free to keep me in mind.”
“No- wait, I can be there in an hour.”
I really didn’t think he’d show. But as I sat there with my coffee he came walking in. Huh. He totally got points for showing. Then he tried to back-peddle and just made it worse. And worse. And worse.
Till at one point as I nodded along thinking “WTF?” He waved vague area of the computers loaded with gamers and said something about it being like a drug and that was enough.
“Stop right there,” I said holding a hand up. “You bag on those people then you’re bagging on me. Those are my peeps and if you offend them then you’ve offended me and I. Will. Kick. Your. Ass.”
He stared for a second as I changed my voice and happily said. “So. Let me see this part, if you don’t mind. Let’s get on with it.”
I read for the part and at the back of my mind all I could think of was, “That’s exactly why you’re not in LA, Athena.” You are not built to let that shit roll. You don’t have enough desire to be an actress to play along with people who, statistically speaking, are not the most open-minded and creative individuals. They are there for cash flow and you are there for love of story. If a major Hollywood producer was bashing my Geek nation, would I have still stood up? I hope so. But that would also likely mean not getting the part. Would I still have done it then? Honestly, I don’t think so. And would that have compromised my sense of self, then my sense of voice? Who knows the ideas are endless.
But one thing’s for sure. In Portland, non-geeks are the minority. In Portland, we are relaxed and creative and open-minded… so the film industry should respect that, me thinks. Furthermore, as a producer or a film-maker – it’s never a good idea to piss off the majority and an even worse idea to piss off the help that you don’t intend to pay.
I’d be really surprised if he calls me back.
So, uhm, yeah – perhaps a good example of why I made a good call to stick it out here and make myself a part of the Portland film industry while it’s still young and flexible and ripe with creativity.
Jess said,
September 27, 2007 at 11:23 am
OY! That guy was just rude and URG! Let me at him I have something I’d like to kick. I love my Evercrack so peeps just better back away slowly LOL. I think it’s good that you didn’t compromise yourself for a part, just think how much of a pain this guy would have been and you probably wouldn’t have enjoyed making the movie. The right parts and directors will come along hun.
megan said,
September 27, 2007 at 11:31 am
god I wanted to kick him for you! *grins* he kept looking at me funny as I glanced over while I walked by.
oh..and ps.
you meant these panties in that other post?
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1363463&id=528090286
(hopefully that’ll work even if you’re not on facebook.)
BrianM said,
September 27, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I’ve said it before (even in comments on your blog) but geeks are just plain sexy. I think this director-guy is simply jealous.
So glad I got to hear one of the first drafts of this story the other day! Running in to you at Backspace made my afternoon! Thanks for coming over and chatting.
Epiphany said,
September 27, 2007 at 1:44 pm
*sigh* We don’t have enough dorks around here. They tend to get run down by all the yuppies driving Hummers.
*does search* You know, Portland is only like…200 miles away…
Epiphany said,
September 27, 2007 at 1:46 pm
My last comment got eaten! I think…
Anyway yeah, you make Portland sound so awesome!
And it’s only like 208 miles away…*ponders*
Epiphany said,
September 27, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Aaaand there’s the first comment. Now I look like an idiot.
erisian said,
September 27, 2007 at 10:28 pm
just because we are geeks dorks nerds and gamers doesnt mean we cant thrown down in a fight..
thank you athena, champion. thats what you are.
erisian said,
September 27, 2007 at 10:29 pm
also, i hope you are minus bloat. was feeling sad for your wheat and milk hangover you were going to have today (yesterday almost?)
Athena said,
September 30, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Ugh, Bloat.
Meh.
Britt said,
October 1, 2007 at 6:37 pm
When I went to a big, mid-western university, I lived in the dorm that was allegedly quarantined for the “freaks, fags, weirdos, and artists”. Then I moved to a *whole city* of them.
On both counts, I am proud; thanks for gifting me with an intense moment of appreciating that.
And on the L.A. tip, I have a friend from there, who went to the performing arts high-school (picture “Fame”, L.A. style: intense) and from what he said, it is far, far worse than you even suggest. Even the queers are assholes, and the currency of everyday existence is how good-looking are you, and what can you do for me based on that.
Ugh. Grodie. I feel gross just thinking about it.
And someday, PDX will be garnering those rare indy oscars, and what will the point of L.A. ever be?
Don’t answer that; it’ll make you cynical-er.
PS {Whisper whisper.} My blogs up. {Hee hee.}