You are Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)
| You are good at fixing things. You are usually cheerful. You appreciate being treated with delicacy and specialness.  |
Click here to take the Serenity Personality Quiz
Friday, August 22, 2008
Haha ... well, I am an engineer :)
Your results:
You are Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)
Click here to take the Serenity Personality Quiz
You are Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)
Click here to take the Serenity Personality Quiz
Daily Show Olympics Update
Okay, this show has great humor and the underlying messages are very cunning.
"America has evolved ..." I love the expressions on Jon Stewart's face!
Racism is still rampant and this show just proves that point.
"America has evolved ..." I love the expressions on Jon Stewart's face!
Racism is still rampant and this show just proves that point.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
TV/Film - getting started in NY By Mark Dundas Wood
Another Backstage.com article. Their coding isn't great so this article could disappear. I'm reposting it here.
Stage actors go to New York; film and TV actors head to California. That's the sort of truism few people bother to question. But these days, things could be shifting. With state and city tax incentives in place for production companies that shoot in New York and a mayor and governor who strongly support the film and TV industry, more New York actors may soon make on-camera work their primary focus.
Christine Toy Johnson has reaped the benefits of this new climate. A longtime New York actor who pursues both stage and screen work, she recently appeared in the first episode of ABC's Ugly Betty to be filmed in New York after two seasons in California. "I'm thrilled that they're here," she says. "The cast and crew really had a great energy, and I had a ball working on it."
Among the series now shooting in New York are Gossip Girl, Lipstick Jungle, Damages, and the yet-to-debut Fringe and Life on Mars. They join such stalwarts as Rescue Me and the three Law & Order programs, which have provided speaking roles for thousands of local actors over the years. Meanwhile, features like Sex and the City and the recently wrapped I Hate Valentine's Day and Brooklyn's Finest continue to stoke cinema's ongoing love affair with New York.
So how does a newcomer to the city get a piece of all this action? Some feel that the first orders of business are to find an agent and become a member of the film and TV actors' unions. But James Calleri, a New York casting director currently working on Lipstick Jungle, dismisses that theory. Representation and union membership mean little to him when he's filling roles. "A lot of people get really focused on getting an agent," he says, "but I think that if you can start developing relationships with casting directors who are doing stuff, that's a really good way to go about working."
Easier said than done, right? "It's hard," Calleri concedes. "I think you have to try to reach out as best you can. Either getting auditions with them, mailing, taking a workshop or a class with one that's teaching somewhere, offering to be a reader — I think those are all really great ways of developing relationships with them."
Michael De Nola, a former jazz musician who has pursued an acting career in New York for the past five years, tracks down film and TV work without an agent. "I'm interested in things I can control," he says. "I can control how much time I spend as an artist working on the art, the craft. I can control how much money I want to spend on doing something like Actors Access or on One on One or any other kind of showcase." Actors Access (www.actorsaccess.com) is a casting website, and One on One Productions (www.oneononenyc.com) offers classes and networking events for actors. But, he adds, "I cannot control whether an agent is going to be interested in me or not."
Selective Service
Mailing headshots and résumés is one of the more traditional ways to connect with casting directors and agents. It also may be one of the least effective, especially if done haphazardly. "It's a crapshoot," says Calleri. "There's so much stuff that comes in." But doing your homework and then tailoring your submissions to the specific needs of projects can be significantly more productive. "I don't know how they do it," Calleri says of actors, "but they do find out what we're doing. And I don't know how they get a copy of the breakdowns, but they do. And more power to them."
Teddy Alvaro, an actor who worked with a manager during his stint as a child performer but is currently unrepresented, suggests that Henderson's Mailing Labels (www.hendersonenterprises.com) and similar products can be a "fantastic" way of reaching agents and casting directors — if they're used judiciously. "If it's just a cookie-cutter letter or résumé," he says, "it doesn't excite someone that much."
Alvaro suggests preparing no more than 10 submission packages per day and personalizing each one. "Tell them why you want to work with them," he advises. "And keep tabs on who you've written to. If you know they're a great commercial agent and you just did an Internet commercial, tell them about it."
Spinning the Web
One thing you should not include in a submission to a casting director, Calleri says, is an unsolicited demo reel. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't start assembling one or that you shouldn't post it in cyberspace where interested parties can watch it. Johnson, for instance, has posted clips of her various film and TV roles at www.christinetoyjohnson.com.
"My husband built it, and it's very comprehensive," she says. "And it has come in handy in a lot of ways. One, if someone is looking for someone like me, they can find me through various links. Two, there are some video clips that I have on there and MP3s of my singing. So sometimes, if you can't get to an audition immediately, you can point someone to your website and have them look at a sample of your work."
New York-born actor Lionel Pina currently has a MySpace page as well as his own page on BackStage.com. "I've received a good amount of hits — inquiries and audition invitations — from it. I didn't think it would pay off so well, but it really has."
What about paying to take a workshop, class, or seminar with a working casting director? Although some in the industry — including actors and casting directors — caution against it, most actors Back Stage spoke with for this article recommend it. De Nola says he booked jobs on two Law & Order series after attending sessions at the Actors Connection (www.actorsconnection.com) conducted by casting associates.
"You can get real feedback and see yourself on camera and meet casting directors," notes Johnson, who endorses taking classes with CDs alongside other classes in which you'll feel freer to make mistakes (as the instructor is not also a potential future employer). "You can't expect somebody to hire you directly from those kinds of things," she contends. "I think it's better to go in with an expectation of learning."
Peer Advice
Even after you've done the requisite mailings, posted your clips online, and introduced yourself to casting directors, you still may not find yourself getting calls to audition. So what further steps can you take to stay productive and stave off the unemployment blues? The actors Back Stage consulted offered these tips:
Keep busy. Don't just sit waiting for the phone to ring. Find a teacher or school and keep working on your acting skills. Do background work on a studio feature to get a glimpse of experienced film actors plying their trade. "You get to see firsthand how a film or television show is made," says Pina, "and how unexciting it is." Alvaro notes that his girlfriend, who is also an actor, makes it a point to take at least one step every day to move her career forward: "That could be mailing a label, reading a play, getting a headshot. But it could also be doing something as simple as going to a museum and looking at art pieces to see if anything stirs you…. Being an actor is experiential."
Get seen. Alvaro and his college actor friends formed their own theatre group to stay sharp and put themselves in front of audiences. They've staged four full-length showcases in the past two years. "It's fantastic to be able to come in every day," he says, "and work on some difficult part that people might not think I'm ready to play — really work on it and really tackle it." Maybe an agent or casting director will show up at your showcase and be enthralled by your performance. When an executive producer from One Life to Live saw Johnson in a live performance early in her career, it led to a two-year stint on the soap opera.
In addition to getting you seen, appearing in student films or low-budget independents can help you gain on-camera experience as well as provide clips for your reel. And if you're not yet a union actor, you can accept choice roles that union members are not allowed to take. Besides, you never know where that student director will be five years from now.
Be sociable. Having a circle of mutually supportive friends is a must in a harried place like New York. The more networking you do with peers, the more chances you'll have to hear about job opportunities. An early and extremely big break for Pina came when he ran into an actor friend who told him about a new film he thought Pina should audition for. Pina did so and landed the part: the pizza boy who brings food to Al Pacino's bank hostages in a memorable scene in Dog Day Afternoon. That performance opened many doors for him in ensuing years.
Adjust your mindset. Sometimes the mailings, website postings, and all the rest can seem like unpleasant chores. Alvaro suggests you think of them instead as "chances" — chances to act, chances to make a connection. "If you go to one of those agent nights, you know what? That's a chance to act that night," he says. "That's an audition experience."
Stage actors go to New York; film and TV actors head to California. That's the sort of truism few people bother to question. But these days, things could be shifting. With state and city tax incentives in place for production companies that shoot in New York and a mayor and governor who strongly support the film and TV industry, more New York actors may soon make on-camera work their primary focus.
Christine Toy Johnson has reaped the benefits of this new climate. A longtime New York actor who pursues both stage and screen work, she recently appeared in the first episode of ABC's Ugly Betty to be filmed in New York after two seasons in California. "I'm thrilled that they're here," she says. "The cast and crew really had a great energy, and I had a ball working on it."
Among the series now shooting in New York are Gossip Girl, Lipstick Jungle, Damages, and the yet-to-debut Fringe and Life on Mars. They join such stalwarts as Rescue Me and the three Law & Order programs, which have provided speaking roles for thousands of local actors over the years. Meanwhile, features like Sex and the City and the recently wrapped I Hate Valentine's Day and Brooklyn's Finest continue to stoke cinema's ongoing love affair with New York.
So how does a newcomer to the city get a piece of all this action? Some feel that the first orders of business are to find an agent and become a member of the film and TV actors' unions. But James Calleri, a New York casting director currently working on Lipstick Jungle, dismisses that theory. Representation and union membership mean little to him when he's filling roles. "A lot of people get really focused on getting an agent," he says, "but I think that if you can start developing relationships with casting directors who are doing stuff, that's a really good way to go about working."
Easier said than done, right? "It's hard," Calleri concedes. "I think you have to try to reach out as best you can. Either getting auditions with them, mailing, taking a workshop or a class with one that's teaching somewhere, offering to be a reader — I think those are all really great ways of developing relationships with them."
Michael De Nola, a former jazz musician who has pursued an acting career in New York for the past five years, tracks down film and TV work without an agent. "I'm interested in things I can control," he says. "I can control how much time I spend as an artist working on the art, the craft. I can control how much money I want to spend on doing something like Actors Access or on One on One or any other kind of showcase." Actors Access (www.actorsaccess.com) is a casting website, and One on One Productions (www.oneononenyc.com) offers classes and networking events for actors. But, he adds, "I cannot control whether an agent is going to be interested in me or not."
Selective Service
Mailing headshots and résumés is one of the more traditional ways to connect with casting directors and agents. It also may be one of the least effective, especially if done haphazardly. "It's a crapshoot," says Calleri. "There's so much stuff that comes in." But doing your homework and then tailoring your submissions to the specific needs of projects can be significantly more productive. "I don't know how they do it," Calleri says of actors, "but they do find out what we're doing. And I don't know how they get a copy of the breakdowns, but they do. And more power to them."
Teddy Alvaro, an actor who worked with a manager during his stint as a child performer but is currently unrepresented, suggests that Henderson's Mailing Labels (www.hendersonenterprises.com) and similar products can be a "fantastic" way of reaching agents and casting directors — if they're used judiciously. "If it's just a cookie-cutter letter or résumé," he says, "it doesn't excite someone that much."
Alvaro suggests preparing no more than 10 submission packages per day and personalizing each one. "Tell them why you want to work with them," he advises. "And keep tabs on who you've written to. If you know they're a great commercial agent and you just did an Internet commercial, tell them about it."
Spinning the Web
One thing you should not include in a submission to a casting director, Calleri says, is an unsolicited demo reel. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't start assembling one or that you shouldn't post it in cyberspace where interested parties can watch it. Johnson, for instance, has posted clips of her various film and TV roles at www.christinetoyjohnson.com.
"My husband built it, and it's very comprehensive," she says. "And it has come in handy in a lot of ways. One, if someone is looking for someone like me, they can find me through various links. Two, there are some video clips that I have on there and MP3s of my singing. So sometimes, if you can't get to an audition immediately, you can point someone to your website and have them look at a sample of your work."
New York-born actor Lionel Pina currently has a MySpace page as well as his own page on BackStage.com. "I've received a good amount of hits — inquiries and audition invitations — from it. I didn't think it would pay off so well, but it really has."
What about paying to take a workshop, class, or seminar with a working casting director? Although some in the industry — including actors and casting directors — caution against it, most actors Back Stage spoke with for this article recommend it. De Nola says he booked jobs on two Law & Order series after attending sessions at the Actors Connection (www.actorsconnection.com) conducted by casting associates.
"You can get real feedback and see yourself on camera and meet casting directors," notes Johnson, who endorses taking classes with CDs alongside other classes in which you'll feel freer to make mistakes (as the instructor is not also a potential future employer). "You can't expect somebody to hire you directly from those kinds of things," she contends. "I think it's better to go in with an expectation of learning."
Peer Advice
Even after you've done the requisite mailings, posted your clips online, and introduced yourself to casting directors, you still may not find yourself getting calls to audition. So what further steps can you take to stay productive and stave off the unemployment blues? The actors Back Stage consulted offered these tips:
Keep busy. Don't just sit waiting for the phone to ring. Find a teacher or school and keep working on your acting skills. Do background work on a studio feature to get a glimpse of experienced film actors plying their trade. "You get to see firsthand how a film or television show is made," says Pina, "and how unexciting it is." Alvaro notes that his girlfriend, who is also an actor, makes it a point to take at least one step every day to move her career forward: "That could be mailing a label, reading a play, getting a headshot. But it could also be doing something as simple as going to a museum and looking at art pieces to see if anything stirs you…. Being an actor is experiential."
Get seen. Alvaro and his college actor friends formed their own theatre group to stay sharp and put themselves in front of audiences. They've staged four full-length showcases in the past two years. "It's fantastic to be able to come in every day," he says, "and work on some difficult part that people might not think I'm ready to play — really work on it and really tackle it." Maybe an agent or casting director will show up at your showcase and be enthralled by your performance. When an executive producer from One Life to Live saw Johnson in a live performance early in her career, it led to a two-year stint on the soap opera.
In addition to getting you seen, appearing in student films or low-budget independents can help you gain on-camera experience as well as provide clips for your reel. And if you're not yet a union actor, you can accept choice roles that union members are not allowed to take. Besides, you never know where that student director will be five years from now.
Be sociable. Having a circle of mutually supportive friends is a must in a harried place like New York. The more networking you do with peers, the more chances you'll have to hear about job opportunities. An early and extremely big break for Pina came when he ran into an actor friend who told him about a new film he thought Pina should audition for. Pina did so and landed the part: the pizza boy who brings food to Al Pacino's bank hostages in a memorable scene in Dog Day Afternoon. That performance opened many doors for him in ensuing years.
Adjust your mindset. Sometimes the mailings, website postings, and all the rest can seem like unpleasant chores. Alvaro suggests you think of them instead as "chances" — chances to act, chances to make a connection. "If you go to one of those agent nights, you know what? That's a chance to act that night," he says. "That's an audition experience."
Welcome to NY by Halley Bondy
This article from Backstage.com covers some good stuff, especially on healthcare. I've reposted some of the info here:
Transportation
Subways and buses may be crowded, unpleasant, and unpredictable, but they're quite often the best way to get around New York, and your MetroCard will become your constant companion. Subway and bus rides cost $2 each way. Put $7 or more on your MetroCard and you receive a 15 percent bonus; for example, a $20 purchase gives you $23 on your card. The cost of a 30-day unlimited-ride card was recently increased to $81 from $76, and by the time you read this it may have gone up again. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority doesn't cut many breaks, but you can get the best bang for your buck by assessing your lifestyle and the length of your stay in the city.
You can buy MetroCards only in the subway or at participating bodegas, delis, and newsstands — not on buses. Single rides can be purchased on buses using coins only. Most riders learn that lesson the hard way, but by having an unlimited-ride MetroCard with you at all times, you can save yourself a lot of hassle, if not much money.
If you're out late and feel like taking a taxi, be sure to hail a yellow cab. They're metered and the fare is regulated by the city (fares can be found at www.nyc.gov/taxi). However, yellow cabs are often unavailable, especially in the outer boroughs, in which case it's best to carry the number of a reputable car service. Hailing an unlicensed "gypsy" cab could get you home, but you're risking high prices and unmonitored practice
Cable, Internet, and Phone
When it comes to cable television, high-speed Internet access, and landline phone service, your options are limited to giant multinational corporations. But they all offer cheaper, bundled options that put all three services on one bill. The basic rates do not include premium cable channels such as HBO and Showtime.
Cablevision serves Long Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Its latest bundled service, called Optimum Triple Play, includes high-speed Internet, digital cable, and phone service; each costs $29.95 a month for one year when you order all three. If you haven't memorized the catchy commercial jingle already, the number is (877) 393-4448. Time Warner Cable serves Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and western Brooklyn. Its bundle costs $100-$120 a month (with a three-year agreement) and varies by area. For Manhattan call (212) 358-0900; for Brooklyn and Queens call (718) 358-0900; for Staten Island call (718) 816-8686. RCN is the slightly cheaper option for Manhattan and several neighborhoods in Queens. Its bundle costs $90 a month; call (800) 746-4726.
Health Care
Before you purchase health insurance, first visit the New York State Insurance Department website at www.ins.state.ny.us/ihmoindx.htm, where you can compare rates among all the HMOs serving New York, such as Aetna, Oxford, and Cigna. The city government website (www.nyc.gov) also has information about free clinics around the city.
But you don't have to navigate the confusing options and paperwork alone. The Actors Fund, a service organization for entertainment industry professionals, offers counseling and seminars on acquiring health care. It also provides free health clinics and various social services. Contact the New York branch at (800) 221-7303 or go to www.actorsfund.org.
Fractured Atlas, a nonprofit service and advocacy organization for artists, also offers assistance in acquiring health care; call (212) 277-8020 or go to www.fracturedatlas.org. There is also the Freelancers Union (www.freelancersunion.org). Actors' Equity Association (www.actorsequity.org), the Screen Actors Guild (www.sag.org), and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (www.aftra.com) offer health insurance plans for working members.
Power
Con Edison is the sole electricity provider in New York City and the gas provider for Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of Queens. Just prior to moving in, you should make an appointment with Con Ed and open an online or pay-by-mail account, or else suffer without utilities until your schedule aligns with theirs. Though the company isn't afraid to shut off your lights if you haven't paid your bill, you can call to get a payment extension. Call (800) 752-6633 or go to www.coned.com to set up an appointment or check rates. National Grid (formerly KeySpan) is the gas provider in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island; call (800) 539-7726 or www2.nationalgridus.com.
Noise Control
New York may be the city that never sleeps, but you will need to. Unfortunately, the noise levels around town aren't always conducive to heavenly slumbers. Some apartments sit above 24-hour businesses, others have neon lights outside their windows, while others just have annoying neighbors. There are, however, small preventative measures you can take: earplugs, white-noise machines (such as the Sound Soother), eye masks (available at Bed Bath & Beyond), or, in the summer, a loud fan. But the best way to control your noise level is to be very discriminate when choosing an apartment. It's best to get one in a building with thick walls or on the upper floors of a tall building.
Pest Control
One of the dirtiest not-so-secrets of New York is its pest problem. Even the cleanest, richest inhabitants of the city are vulnerable to infestation, and everyone has witnessed the rats on the subway tracks. The same old enemies — cockroaches, mice, and rats — don't seem to budge, while a bedbug problem has grown in the past few years. Your landlord is legally obligated to keep your apartment vermin-free, so if you suspect an infestation — if you wake up with bug bites, for instance — don't wait to inform your superintendent. If your building does not provide extermination services within 30 days, you are within your rights to take legal action.
It is highly recommended that you leave dangerous pesticides to a professional exterminator. Not only are the sprays hazardous to your health, but they can be ineffectual if used improperly. In the meantime, take preventative measures: Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink, and wipe the counters and sweep the floor routinely. (Pests aren't likely to stick around if you don't feed them.) To avoid bedbugs, vacuum regularly, avoid clutter, wash your clothes frequently, and wrap your mattress in plastic.
Cheap Tickets
Enough with the drudgery; it's time to play, and what better way than to go to the theatre? With Broadway ticket prices rocketing above $350 at times, however, the Great White Way can seem out of reach. No matter. There are ways to get discounted Broadway tickets and plenty of theatre beyond Broadway besides.
Websites offering deep Broadway and other entertainment discounts include Play-by-Play (www.play-by-play.com), Audience Extras (www. audienceextras.com), and the Theatre Development Fund (www.tdf.org). Each requires a membership and/or yearly subscription fee, but members of Audience Extras, for instance, can purchase tickets for as little as a $3.50 service charge. TDF, a nonprofit organization, has certain requirements for membership, including full-time student status, full-time teacher status, or status as a performing arts professional; see the website for a full list.
If you're an employee of a company in the New York City area, check with your human resources department to see if you have access to Plum Benefits (www.plumbenefits.com), a service that provides discounted tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, sporting events, family events, and attractions.
TDF also runs the TKTS discount booths in Times Square, at South Street Seaport, and in downtown Brooklyn, where you can purchase Broadway and Off-Broadway tickets for up to 50 percent off. The Times Square booth sells matinee tickets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. It sells evening tickets Mon.-Sat., 3-8 p.m. The South Street Seaport booth is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat., but closes at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Brooklyn booth, located in 1 MetroTech Center at the corner of Jay Street and Myrtle Street Promenade, is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and also sells tickets to Brooklyn performing arts events.
Taking advantage of TKTS, however, can swallow much of the day. The lines back up for up to three hours, and the tickets are sold only for performances on the day of purchase (except at the South Street Seaport and Brooklyn booths, where you can buy matinee tickets for the next day's performances should they be available). If you arrive at the Times Square booth closer to curtain time, particularly for evening shows during the week (say between 6 and 7:45 p.m. before an 8 p.m. show), the lines can be quite short. But after buying your ticket, be prepared for a brisk sprint to the theatre.
Off-Broadway is cheaper than Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway is cheaper than both, with prices from $10 to $20. The New York International Fringe Festival, which features more than 200 Off-Off-Broadway shows, runs Aug. 8-24 this year and offers tickets for $15 each. NYTheatre.com is a great resource for all New York City theatre, with a focus on the cheaper independent scene. And remember, if you have a valid student I.D., be sure to bring it anytime you purchase tickets anywhere, as many shows offer student discounts.
Transportation
Subways and buses may be crowded, unpleasant, and unpredictable, but they're quite often the best way to get around New York, and your MetroCard will become your constant companion. Subway and bus rides cost $2 each way. Put $7 or more on your MetroCard and you receive a 15 percent bonus; for example, a $20 purchase gives you $23 on your card. The cost of a 30-day unlimited-ride card was recently increased to $81 from $76, and by the time you read this it may have gone up again. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority doesn't cut many breaks, but you can get the best bang for your buck by assessing your lifestyle and the length of your stay in the city.
You can buy MetroCards only in the subway or at participating bodegas, delis, and newsstands — not on buses. Single rides can be purchased on buses using coins only. Most riders learn that lesson the hard way, but by having an unlimited-ride MetroCard with you at all times, you can save yourself a lot of hassle, if not much money.
If you're out late and feel like taking a taxi, be sure to hail a yellow cab. They're metered and the fare is regulated by the city (fares can be found at www.nyc.gov/taxi). However, yellow cabs are often unavailable, especially in the outer boroughs, in which case it's best to carry the number of a reputable car service. Hailing an unlicensed "gypsy" cab could get you home, but you're risking high prices and unmonitored practice
Cable, Internet, and Phone
When it comes to cable television, high-speed Internet access, and landline phone service, your options are limited to giant multinational corporations. But they all offer cheaper, bundled options that put all three services on one bill. The basic rates do not include premium cable channels such as HBO and Showtime.
Cablevision serves Long Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Its latest bundled service, called Optimum Triple Play, includes high-speed Internet, digital cable, and phone service; each costs $29.95 a month for one year when you order all three. If you haven't memorized the catchy commercial jingle already, the number is (877) 393-4448. Time Warner Cable serves Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and western Brooklyn. Its bundle costs $100-$120 a month (with a three-year agreement) and varies by area. For Manhattan call (212) 358-0900; for Brooklyn and Queens call (718) 358-0900; for Staten Island call (718) 816-8686. RCN is the slightly cheaper option for Manhattan and several neighborhoods in Queens. Its bundle costs $90 a month; call (800) 746-4726.
Health Care
Before you purchase health insurance, first visit the New York State Insurance Department website at www.ins.state.ny.us/ihmoindx.htm, where you can compare rates among all the HMOs serving New York, such as Aetna, Oxford, and Cigna. The city government website (www.nyc.gov) also has information about free clinics around the city.
But you don't have to navigate the confusing options and paperwork alone. The Actors Fund, a service organization for entertainment industry professionals, offers counseling and seminars on acquiring health care. It also provides free health clinics and various social services. Contact the New York branch at (800) 221-7303 or go to www.actorsfund.org.
Fractured Atlas, a nonprofit service and advocacy organization for artists, also offers assistance in acquiring health care; call (212) 277-8020 or go to www.fracturedatlas.org. There is also the Freelancers Union (www.freelancersunion.org). Actors' Equity Association (www.actorsequity.org), the Screen Actors Guild (www.sag.org), and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (www.aftra.com) offer health insurance plans for working members.
Power
Con Edison is the sole electricity provider in New York City and the gas provider for Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of Queens. Just prior to moving in, you should make an appointment with Con Ed and open an online or pay-by-mail account, or else suffer without utilities until your schedule aligns with theirs. Though the company isn't afraid to shut off your lights if you haven't paid your bill, you can call to get a payment extension. Call (800) 752-6633 or go to www.coned.com to set up an appointment or check rates. National Grid (formerly KeySpan) is the gas provider in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island; call (800) 539-7726 or www2.nationalgridus.com.
Noise Control
New York may be the city that never sleeps, but you will need to. Unfortunately, the noise levels around town aren't always conducive to heavenly slumbers. Some apartments sit above 24-hour businesses, others have neon lights outside their windows, while others just have annoying neighbors. There are, however, small preventative measures you can take: earplugs, white-noise machines (such as the Sound Soother), eye masks (available at Bed Bath & Beyond), or, in the summer, a loud fan. But the best way to control your noise level is to be very discriminate when choosing an apartment. It's best to get one in a building with thick walls or on the upper floors of a tall building.
Pest Control
One of the dirtiest not-so-secrets of New York is its pest problem. Even the cleanest, richest inhabitants of the city are vulnerable to infestation, and everyone has witnessed the rats on the subway tracks. The same old enemies — cockroaches, mice, and rats — don't seem to budge, while a bedbug problem has grown in the past few years. Your landlord is legally obligated to keep your apartment vermin-free, so if you suspect an infestation — if you wake up with bug bites, for instance — don't wait to inform your superintendent. If your building does not provide extermination services within 30 days, you are within your rights to take legal action.
It is highly recommended that you leave dangerous pesticides to a professional exterminator. Not only are the sprays hazardous to your health, but they can be ineffectual if used improperly. In the meantime, take preventative measures: Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink, and wipe the counters and sweep the floor routinely. (Pests aren't likely to stick around if you don't feed them.) To avoid bedbugs, vacuum regularly, avoid clutter, wash your clothes frequently, and wrap your mattress in plastic.
Cheap Tickets
Enough with the drudgery; it's time to play, and what better way than to go to the theatre? With Broadway ticket prices rocketing above $350 at times, however, the Great White Way can seem out of reach. No matter. There are ways to get discounted Broadway tickets and plenty of theatre beyond Broadway besides.
Websites offering deep Broadway and other entertainment discounts include Play-by-Play (www.play-by-play.com), Audience Extras (www. audienceextras.com), and the Theatre Development Fund (www.tdf.org). Each requires a membership and/or yearly subscription fee, but members of Audience Extras, for instance, can purchase tickets for as little as a $3.50 service charge. TDF, a nonprofit organization, has certain requirements for membership, including full-time student status, full-time teacher status, or status as a performing arts professional; see the website for a full list.
If you're an employee of a company in the New York City area, check with your human resources department to see if you have access to Plum Benefits (www.plumbenefits.com), a service that provides discounted tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, sporting events, family events, and attractions.
TDF also runs the TKTS discount booths in Times Square, at South Street Seaport, and in downtown Brooklyn, where you can purchase Broadway and Off-Broadway tickets for up to 50 percent off. The Times Square booth sells matinee tickets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. It sells evening tickets Mon.-Sat., 3-8 p.m. The South Street Seaport booth is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat., but closes at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Brooklyn booth, located in 1 MetroTech Center at the corner of Jay Street and Myrtle Street Promenade, is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and also sells tickets to Brooklyn performing arts events.
Taking advantage of TKTS, however, can swallow much of the day. The lines back up for up to three hours, and the tickets are sold only for performances on the day of purchase (except at the South Street Seaport and Brooklyn booths, where you can buy matinee tickets for the next day's performances should they be available). If you arrive at the Times Square booth closer to curtain time, particularly for evening shows during the week (say between 6 and 7:45 p.m. before an 8 p.m. show), the lines can be quite short. But after buying your ticket, be prepared for a brisk sprint to the theatre.
Off-Broadway is cheaper than Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway is cheaper than both, with prices from $10 to $20. The New York International Fringe Festival, which features more than 200 Off-Off-Broadway shows, runs Aug. 8-24 this year and offers tickets for $15 each. NYTheatre.com is a great resource for all New York City theatre, with a focus on the cheaper independent scene. And remember, if you have a valid student I.D., be sure to bring it anytime you purchase tickets anywhere, as many shows offer student discounts.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Daniel Henney is Agent Zero in New Wolverine Film
Daniel Henney, an American expatriate actor in South Korea, has joined the cast of X-Men Origins: Wolverine as David North, aka Agent Zero.
North is part of the clandestine Team X, which was formed by the CIA. Team X consists of three field agents: Logan (Wolverine), North (Agent Zero) and Victor Creed (Sabretooth). According to Variety, Agent Zero is an expert tracker with lethal marksman skills.
I just saw him in 'My Father' and I thought he gave a good performance, especially after he found out his father is a murderer. 'I don't go to church, and I don't believe in God ... but I prayed that my blood was his!'
Damn, that can be a good monologue. But truth be told, even though the father gave a good performance, I just couldn't feel sorry for him because of what he did. He murdered two people. And the DNA results came back false. And yes, this is based on a true story. But I'm not in that situation so I'm not going to judge.
We follow our hearts and a part of our hearts will always yearn for parents and loved ones.
How NOT To Learn English
Zhang [Zhiyi] says that one of her methods of learning the English language was listening to Eminem, which apparently led to some embarrassing situations. She said "I don't always know what he is talking about, so I write down the lyrics and repeat them. Later, I understood how rude they were.
from Gaijinsmash.net:
One day out of the blue, Small Wonder turns to me and the Australian guy and asks "What does '7th Heaven' mean?"
...A cheesy show on the WB that has somehow eluded the cancellation hook?
All jokes aside, we tried to explain that it meant something really good, like how eating a slice of New York cheesecake might put you in 7th Heaven or something. Small Wonder asks us if its a common phrase. We tell her no, we don't really use it that often.
"Oh," she says, "so I guess I can't really use "take her to 7th heaven with your new monster tool!" in any English conversations, can I?"
...For the love of God, PLEASE stop trying to pick up colloquial English from spam email titles. No good can ever come from this.
from Gaijinsmash.net:
One day out of the blue, Small Wonder turns to me and the Australian guy and asks "What does '7th Heaven' mean?"
...A cheesy show on the WB that has somehow eluded the cancellation hook?
All jokes aside, we tried to explain that it meant something really good, like how eating a slice of New York cheesecake might put you in 7th Heaven or something. Small Wonder asks us if its a common phrase. We tell her no, we don't really use it that often.
"Oh," she says, "so I guess I can't really use "take her to 7th heaven with your new monster tool!" in any English conversations, can I?"
...For the love of God, PLEASE stop trying to pick up colloquial English from spam email titles. No good can ever come from this.
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