A Day in the Life … Two Local Members Share Their Experiences

Chris Carlson: I have been a proud member of SAG-AFTRA for 14 years, and have served on the local board. I count myself lucky enough to have worked over the years in 35 film and TV productions, 40 plays, 25 commercials and 50 radio spots — or thereabouts. Recently, I was reminded of the balancing act we struggle with between art and all that “pay-the-mortgage” crap. I had just shot my second episode on In an Instant. Just a few years earlier, I had done a cool experimental film called Eden. I wore a gas mask and remember choking on the smell of burning Rosco fog juice. It was fun. Fast forward a few years and I auditioned for Eden’s director, who was then directing In an Instant. I have to believe the experience from Eden must have helped. Would I have gotten the part without Eden? Maybe, but I have to believe it didn’t hurt. And that’s what I love about this town: Do what work you can, be good to the people you work with and work seems to find you. So go ahead and put on that gas mask on. Your banker will thank you!

T.K. Lumley: I discovered SAG-AFTRA Foundation events when wanderlust took me far from the Minnesota industry I knew to New York, where I knew no one. The Foundation provided insight to unexplored career options, as well as workshops with very active casting, agency, industry-related pros and peers with a particular expertise — all paying it forward, all free to me. Sorely missed since my return to Minnesota, how I cheered the Foundation’s first visit to our local!

Michael Sanford, an award-winning casting director based in L.A., shed light on the process by which he joins a project, meets and selects talent invited to audition, and the general steps culminating in a casting decision. Nothing is ever cookie-cutter, but a glimpse behind the scenes can only remind us to be a positive addition to any room. Michael supplied commercial copy and each class member had a simulated audition, with pauses for questions, feedback and coaching moments (rarely possible in a real casting session). Michael clearly celebrates the uniqueness of each actor and gave feedback accordingly, so I left with a full notebook.

Talent agent Sue Sherman, sixth from left, with Twin Cities members at the recent October 2015 SAG-AFTRA Foundation event in Minneapolis.

Next, for me, were two voice-related workshops with Paul Liberti, multi-hyphenate artist, SAG-AFTRA member and phenomenal teacher. First up: character voices for animation. I’m a complete novice and expected to feel a fool, but Paul cleverly started us all exploring easy ways to change our sound, taking turns shotgun-style around the room. Self-consciousness vanished. With constant encouragement, insider wisdom and inspiration from visual imagery, we took stabs at creating characters on the fly (not bad for beginners). It’s a speedy business, and this intro included maximum participation at a pace. How better to decide if it is for you?

I was especially eager for Paul’s audiobook workshop, since I had one toe in that world before the distractions of relocating. He highlighted logistical basics and crucial questions a reader must answer about the manuscript at hand. Then, all had multiple opportunities to read and be coached. This discipline can require much prep, research, technique and stamina, which Paul touched on, but I applaud him for helping us first discover if we’d enjoy the actual performance.

I hope for more such visits to our local. Not all will be tailor-made for my needs, but sharing this way — without the pressure to score a job — brings me a step closer to controlling this career path.

This item was originally featured in the January 2016 local newsletter.