Gettin’ Paid… maybe
So I responded to this casting email yesterday calling for 'featured extras' for some US Open thing they were going to be filming in Rockefeller Center on Tuesday, Wed, Thursday. Well, the only day left, obviously, was Thursday - I had no idea what to expect but they were going to pay $10/hour for no more than 5 hours of shooting starting at 5:30pm. I had nothing to do really so I replied back saying I was avail. Another shady email reply said to report at 50th b/w 5th and 6th and ask for "Momentum Media" or something - not detailing WHO to ask or whether there would be a booth there or what. shady.
So I was at work, and I was going to be lazy and not go because it looked like the clouds were getting ready to dump on NYC but I went anyways. I figured I was going to do nothing at home, so why not go get paid to do nothing. So I walked over there and it turned out that there was a HUGE setup for the US Open sponsored by AMEX. I mean, there were some tennis courts, and a Speed Serve booth, "Take Your Picture with the Pros" booth, plus a grandstand and 'lawn' seating in front of this massive Jumbotron showing the USOpen. (side note: you could sit on the special reserved lawn chair section if you flashed an AMEX card. cha ching!)
So I walked around a bit just to see what was going on - and what I could possibly have been getting paid to do before I signed up for it. There was also a stage below the jumbotron with some band with a good-lookin girl on the lead vocals. Didn't recognize her and the soundcheck guys were suckin it so I couldn't hear her either. But the band sounded ok so I was just going to stand there and listen. But, again, I could be getting paid to just be around here so I go to check in.
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There was a crowd of people around the corner surrounding some lady with a clipboard. We all sign in - turns out they are going to pay us to 'get up close to the stage and have a great time listening to the band'. Um, ok - I haven't had any training in standing up close and rocking to a band but turns out, I'm a natural. So we listened to her - the girl's name is Jem and she had a really nice voice. Problem was, well, a) sound people sucked it - could barely hear her, b) the type of music didn't seem to really fit her voice. She had a really sweet Welsh voice, similar to other female Irish singers, and it was terrific but not a rockin voice and I think that's what the music was going for. The songs weren't really all that fascinating but they did have a good groove to it. One song, I think had approx. 3 notes.
So she played 3 songs, one of which was Live for TV - god knows what channel - I think USA. We, namely the paid professionals, needed to be real loud for live TV, which I think we accomplished. I honestly don't think they needed to pay for anyone to listen to them. There were plenty of people around listening - I guess they just wanted people to pack it in tight. But, hey, hopefully I get paid for it so I bitch not.
I signed out, took the bus home and watched Signs, then the premiere of Joey. Both not bad, Signs ended weak and Joey was pretty consistently funny. Both casts making more money than my measly $10/hour today. But everyone starts somewhere, no?