Sunday, May 25, 2008

The Job Opportunity

For those of you just joining us and thinking, "What the fork is Fork doing in South Cackalackee when New York is his oyster?", I'll tell you.  I had an interview for something called The Job Opportunity.  

This particular The Job Opportunity was for the film commish.  I'd be based out of the capital and jet around to Hollywood, LA, fancy film festivals, etc., and try and convince the people who hold the purse strings of Tinseltown to film their movies here.

Yep.  That's it.  Seriously.  Every time someone in charge explains The Job Opportunity to me, that's basically what they tell me.  Rub shoulders with famous/fancy people and hype up Cackalackee.

But it's not all wine and roses, y'all.

You don't just kick back and hand people a brochure between gulps of dry gin martinis.  

In the two and a half hour interview with the people in charge, all I heard from them was how difficult the job is, how nobody they have right now is very good at it, how even though the official hours are 8:30-5:00, most people work from 8-8.  Every day.  Most of the salesmen they currently have suck at the job because, being raised to be polite Southern gentlemen, they're steamrolled by the pushy, brassy, mean, egotistical, imposing Hollywood types.  Basically, you're dealing with people who hate the ukulele.

Thing is, you make enough money to swim in.  Want a nice car?  Check.  Medical benefits?  You get so many you'll never die.  Like cats?  You can have eight.  Want a 63 inch TV?  That's yours too.  Want New York City--the place where dreams come true?  Absolutely.

Oh wait.  No.  Actually.  That last part is the catch.

I was talking to my mom at dinner the other night.

"Mom," says I, "This doesn't sound like it would be fun for a minute.  Sure, it's an interesting opportunity, but based on what everyone at the commish told me, it sounds wrist-slashingly stressful.  Why would I WANT to do a job like this?"

"Well, you'd want to do it so you could learn how to do it."

Poor thing.  She works so hard.  

So that's The Job Opportunity.  That's why I'm here.  It's totally interesting.  It's a cool opportunity.  It's got the potential to be an exciting challenge.  But is it what I want?  Is it what I should do?  Is it worth leaving the Casino of Hopes and Dreams for?  

That's the question.  And I have ten days to decide. 

3 comments:

Becky, Phil and Hayden said...

Very interesting! Thanks for filling me in. That is a major decision for you and we'll be praying for you the next 10 days.

Seth Ward said...

Just never forget, you love the theater. You are an actor and a daaaaarn good one. Hopefully, this job will someday put you up on the big screen.

From your posts, you seem like you don't really want to leave the city and you are looking for an excuse to stay.

In my book, wanting to stay is pretty much a good enough excuse. BUT, it sounds like a pretty cool gig.

Plus, if you are going to have enough money to have the best of both worlds... then shoot!

But, you are still very young, my friend.

Just sit down at the table and right out the pros and cons. That usually helps me. However, always add your future hopes to those pros and cons and don't make money your biggest deciding factor. I mean, the Lord does say, "why the heck are you worried about money? why are you worried about tomorrow? Consider the Lillies of the friggin field. they aren't busy worrying about their next paycheck."

Anonymous said...

First - Would you be meeting people that could help you get into the kind of acting you want to do?

Second - have you been given an opportunity to talk to the people that have the job now? Not the bosses, but the people doing the work. If not, ask for that...ask them how they feel about the job. I hope you know (it sounds like you do) that money is not the number one reason to change jobs. I heard a friend of mine say the other day that if you find a job you like, you increase your week by 5 days. Pretty smart, that one. :)

Good luck in your decision. Listen to seth ward...his advice is pretty good! :)