Getting Back on the Horse -- a Little Pricey!

New York, NY – Feb. 24, 2010 – The price of admission to work in New York City media is very high.

Back when I was a TV weatherman in Nashville, I realized that what I did wasn’t really all that hard. And many people could do it.

On a good day.

If they were in a good mood.

And there was plenty of time to prepare.

But what about those days when you’re bored? Or your mom is sick? Or severe weather just plopped down out of the sky? Can you still be Mister Charming? Mister Informing? Mister Take-Cover-Now-because-the-House-Is-about-to-Blow-Away?

Yes I could. And yes I did. But the main thing that set me apart from the people who were not on air was that I was on the air. And they weren’t.

Working in major American media is a lot like that. If you’re not in New York or L.A., the chances of getting cast in a TV series or a national TV spot are nearly nil.

Ya gotta be where the fish are biting! But getting here ain’t cheap.

Transporting yourself isn’t all that difficult or expensive. I drove my Mazda pick-up up here from Nashville. Stayed overnight in Richmond, Virginia. Gas and all it cost me around $200. But once I got here, the expenses start mounting up.

Rent is obscene. $3,000 a month at least.

Or buying a place? Fuggedaboutit! A 900-square-foot apartment in a halfway decent area runs over $800,000. Yes, I know. It’s expensive. But I’m not complaining. If I wasn’t willing to pay the admission price, I would have stood at home.

Then there’s photos. To be considered a serious player, there’s a particular style and format of photography in a head shot. It looks quite simple and effortless. But it’s not. I could shoot my own with a remote shutter release and it wouldn’t cost me anything.

But to get the fine-tuning that says “pro”? Well, it’ll cost you. Around 600 bucks. One of the best in The City is Tess Steinkolk . Basic price is $695 plus $95 for a hair stylist. I’ll comb my own hair. And if I pay her in cash, I save $100. So we’re talking $595. I’m seeing her on Friday.

Voice recording. Just did that this morning. $200 for a half-hour session. But the guy really knew his stuff and helped me turn out a very professional-sounding demo. Once again, those fine points winnow out the serious players from the wannabees. (I call them “feather merchants”. Thank you, Max Schulman.)

And finally, union membership. Fortunately, that's not something I have to worry about right now. I owe several thousand dollars in back dues and would have to pony up before working on a union job.

BUT . . .

I don't have to do it right now. I'll worry about it when I get a role that requires it. Otherwise, never mind!

And there’s the matter of a little commercial coaching on how to audition for commercials. Once again, honing down the rough edges in order to present a professional sheen.

So how much is all that? Not counting housing, it could come to a few thousand. Add housing and you’re looking at a sizeable investment. And that’s exactly what it is. An investment. With no guarantee of payoff. But the payoff could be considerable. Back in 1987 when I was on the Travel Channel here in New York, I was making $1,000 a day. I wouldn’t sneeze at that even now.

If you’re a performer of any sort -- actor, disc jockey, voiceover artist –- you have to be where the work is. It’s a little bit like playing roulette. It’s expensive. But you could make a lot of money.

But ya gotta be here. And I am!

Copyright James C. Lewis 2010