Roz and I take on this topic in this episode's "Behind the Scenes." We want to hear from you. Is the economy having an effect on your acting life? During the Great Depression, the film industry was one of the few that thrived because people needed an escape. Are you seeing that during this slowdown? Tell your stories....

Things are slow for me. I think there is less support for artist out there so things that usually keep me busy when I don't have a big gig are not happening. I mean like a readings, off bway productions.

I have less private clients which means other actors are having less auditions, less people being asked to put themselves on tape.

It's hard to tell when you are an artist weather it's my work or the economy. I prefer to make it the boogie man than me.

Don't get me wrong it's brought up questions about the quality of my work. Then I will have a good session with a client and the client gets the job or I did a pick up day on a movie and got lots of support. So I feel okay again.

Man it's a bumpy road.

I want to spin my story positive but sometimes it gets hard. I am not working as much as I have been for the last few years. That's a fact right now. BUT I have a great job coming up.

It's important for me not to get depressed. I have a family depending on me. We all do I am sure. I am just fighting the defeating thoughts. That's what I am trying to do as I ride this out knowing that I will get work as an actress and clients to inspire very soon.

Its been pretty rough lately for me. Seems like I am broke ALL the time!!!

When I first moved to LA a couple years ago, I hit the ground with my feet running. I was booking quite a lot of work as an actor, much more than I expected I would. And when I didn't work as an actor, i would do backround or grip to pay the bills. Pretty much every week I made enough to get to the next, paid my rent, cell phone, car, etc. with not too much problem.

Around March or so stuff slowed down so much I had to take a day job. Not the worst, and sort of a refreshing break from the constant pounding the pavement I was doing. The problem was the day job didn't quite give me enough hours, so I was running in circles money wise. I would get enough to pay for gas OR the cell phone...but not both. That sorta thing.

I quit the day job about 2 months ago when I got a co-starring role in a feature film. That was way cool and I HAD to take it. Well, that movie ended, nd its been rough going finding a new day job...and only very sparse backround work is barely keeping me afloat.

Oh, I forgot to mention...i started looking for the day job I eventually got in March as early as November! I applied everywhere...video stores, department stores, movie theaters, resturants, etc. Either they had all the people they needed or were actually cutting back. I had an interview at the very corporate video store, which seemed so rigourous I felt was interviewing for the FBI!! And this was a job that paid minimum wage!

Sooooo... would say the economy has been hitting me hard for about a year. ts seems like about this time last year that I was actually able to stand on my own feet without juggling too many bills, or as a last resort, borrowing some dough from my mom to help out.

As far as acting bookings go...actually about the same. Maybe even a little more now that I think about it!! That actually cheers me up quite a bit after typing all that up! Just seems like my fall back jobs have dried up COMPLETLY!!

-John

Well, for someone like me, who has both a day-time survival job and acting gigs on the side - it has been tough. Because of the economy... There's always a fear of me being laid off. So, I have been focusing more on my day job more... Which means, I haven't been self-submitting a whole lot. (But still attend the auditions sent by my agent. I didn't want to piss her off...)

But agree with Roz with acting sessions. I was planning to attend the monthly session at Sande Shurin Studio... but had to cancel that plan because I want to save up some money.... JUST IN CASE something bad happens.

Remember that I found myself a dialogue coach? Well - I had to reduce our session to twice a month... because again, the money issue.

Additional note: I also support my family, so, I have been spending my money very wisely... and carefully. (Okay, is that why my friends started to think I'm stingy?!)

Thanks for sharing guys. I was talking to my producer on the pilot this weekend and she made a great point. When it comes to lifestyle, talk shows and news programs, producers and hosts are expected to do more and more (lots of times ALL) of the writing. Also, budgets are shrinking all the way around. Fewer talent, fewer but longer days and worse catering!

But I am happy to be working. And keeping my thoughts positive and hopeful!

I heard this term. PREDITOR. A producer/editor who sorta does it on a sports or reality show.