I Feel Loved

Okay folks, it was an interesting day to say the least.

First of all let me cut to the chase. I signed a confidentiality agreement with the studio and therefore cannot divulge any information regarding intricacies of today’s shoot. But what I can say is this: you will see me – a lot. This is, without a doubt, the most camera time I’ve ever had with any show. In fact, if you combined all of my time they wouldn’t equal today’s camera time. I will let you know when it airs.

Oh and it was hot out there today. Very hot.

I can also tell you about the networking I did with several other background actors (henceforth referred to as “background”). With all the downtime we have, sharing stories, interests, and the job itself are great ways to pass time. You can learn so much about people if you just sit down, let them speak, and be an active listener. I was with everyone and it was an amazing time and picked up some very positive vibes. They were all good people and it was a great chance to network with all of them.

Also, there was a kitten that had to be under a year of age wandering around the set. And me, being a cat person, immediately befriended said kitty and she took a liking to me instantly. She had no fear of anyone and just wanted a little love. As the day went on and she got more used to us, a few of the background were telling me that I should take her home since I was so attached to her.

Believe me, I would have. But the cost of vet bills and the possibility of her needing to be spayed at a time when I just lost my job wouldn’t have worked too well. And and strictly forbade me from bringing her home. Trust me, I still have the text.

Later, I did notice that those running the location put out cans of cat food for the strays which gave me a little solitude, but I wasn’t entirely happy about the cat’s future.

That was until we wrapped for the day and I saw one of the PAs (Production Assistant) sitting on the ground next to the spotted kitten, petting her. She told me that two of the crew members were going to split the cost of the vet bill and take her home. This totally made my day and I gave the kitty a few more scratches on the head before I went home. She was awesome.

Sadly, no pictures of Kitty. There was a strict policy regarding photography and if you were caught, you were made to delete the image/s and escorted off the set, perhaps never to work on the show again. But she’ll live on in my mind and my heart is at ease knowing she’ll be taken care of.

So why do I feel so loved, as the title of this post implies?

Today was the day when my departure was announced at the Monday Meeting of my former employer. Before it happened, I was getting the play-by-play via SMS from a former coworker who was telling me the reactions from people about my getting the ax. I also was checking Facebook posts. Here are some excerpts from both:

“She is upset that you are gone. Her eyes watered up and she said she couldn’t believe it.”

“I think everyone is really shocked.”

During the meeting, “There was a silence after they said you weren’t there.”

Afterward, there were arguments over looming deadlines and someone said, “Well, you shouldn’t have let David go. You could have put him on [another project].”

But perhaps the best comment of the day was this one:

“There were fireworks in your honor!”

You know, it almost makes me feel bad for what I said in my last post – almost. Perhaps they should have treated me a little bit better and given me a few more chances to prove myself rather than cut me from their budget because as you can see, there’s a world of pain ahead for everybody without me there to help pick up the slack.

And it’s only Monday. I’m not saying the place is falling apart but man, it sure seems like it’s been in better condition. I don’t recall there being this much strife over someone’s departure in my almost 3 years of working there. I was the quiet one who just did his job and went on to the next one and as I stated in the previous post, told very little of my private life to permanent employees which is why I’m finding this outpouring of support so freaking odd.

But just as I’m doing, they need to move on.

By the way, today’s shoot was only 30 minutes from home. You don’t know how happy I am to not have to drive 40 miles round-trip daily to and from my former job.

So between the arguments over my layoff, meeting some amazing people, and nearly taking home a kitten who stuck to me like glue, today I truly and honestly feel loved.

And somehow I keep thinking I’ll be getting a call within the next week…