Hey guys! This is a much delayed interview, but here is Janie Haddad Tompkins telling us about what it's really like being an actress in the US!
Me: Which city in the US is best to start an acting career? Like NYC or LA?
Janie: It really depends on if you want to do tv or stage. LA is great for a screen career, but NYC has a lot of theatre. You should go where you think you can live happily...the two cities are very different!
Me: What are the organizations/unions that an actress has to be a part of to work in the US?
Me: What do these unions do for you? Like does that give you insurance, etc?
Janie: They are not unions but rather "guilds". That means they protect you once you have a job. Whereas a union may help you get work...unfortunately, an actor is on her own in that department. You have to qualify for health insurance coverage once you join. For instance, SAG says you have to make a certain amount every year just to qualify to buy the insurance for that year. Then the next year you start over again.
Me: Do you have to make a certain amount of money or book a certain amount of jobs to be a part of the union? How is the membership regulated?
Janie: Each union has its own rules. There are several ways into them, and the eligibility requirements change from year to year...good to check the website of each union to learn the membership requirements.
Me: Can you make a reasonable living by being just a theatre actress?
Janie: Most likely, you'll have to wait tables in between gigs! Or teach or temp in an office! Haha!
Me: Is a film/acting degree important?
Janie: Not at all. It's great to have one, but you can also learn by doing and take classes from great teachers.
Me: An agent/manager/publicist - who is the most important to have and can an actress get work without them?
Janie: I would say an agent is the most important. An agent is imperative to getting you auditions. Getting an agent is hard, I'm still shopping for one after ten years.
Me: Auditions - are they easy to come by if you are an up and coming actress or easier if you are a "name"?
Janie: Name actors tend to get offers or choice auditions before the struggling actors. Auditions in tv or film are hard to come by.
Me: Explain pilot season? What is the timeline for each process - audition, filming the pilot and a network pick up.
Janie: Pilot season is the time of year that the major networks in Hollywood cast their pilot shows that they will pick new series from. It's usually in the spring. However, cable channels cast all year long.
Me: What is a mid season pick up?
Janie: That is when a show is introduced to the public after all the new shows have been out already.
Me: What do you think are the popular misconceptions about Hollywood?
Janie: One big myth is when people get a big break, people think it happened over night. Usually it happens after an actor has struggled for a long time trying to get opportunities. Another one is that "the suits" know what they are doing. It's all a gamble, no one knows what will resonate or flop ahead of time. That's why taste is so important for executives to have. Good taste prevails.
Me: What do you think are the key personality traits an actress needs to work in Hollywood?
Janie: An ability to handle constant rejection. Patience. And tenacity. A strong center - be grounded.
Me: Do you prefer to work in theatre, TV or movies?
Janie: TV its my favorite thing that exists!
Me: What are the struggles and triumphs that you've faced as an actress?
Janie: The biggest struggle is battling your own ego. The less ego you have, the better actor you are. My triumphs have to do with giving a completely ego-less audition or meeting or performance...in those moments, I am an artist instead of me.
Me: Have you ever been stereotyped?
Janie: I'm sure I have. There is a lot of sexism in this biz. Men treat women as brainless sometimes in this town. It's exhausting.
Me: What made you decide to vlog?
Janie: I decided to start that when my husband was given a small Flip camera as a wrap gift on a show he did. I was more excited about the camera than he was, and I'm the only person around me most of the time, so I had to film my life for a vlog!
Me: The ever popular question - when did you decide to become an actress? Are there actors/actresses in your family?
Janie: I'm the only actress and I decided when I was in high school that I wanted to pursue it (I always did it as a hobby, starting in grade school, plays and stuff)
Me: Does the casting couch exist? And if yes, how does an actress combat it?
Janie: I've never encountered it. But you could combat it by kneeing someone in the crotch then tweeting about that unscrupulous person! There is work to be done and no time for such hijinks!
Me: What is a big no-no for you? Like what are the clauses in your contract?
Janie: Well, I don't see an instance where I'd do nudity. But, never say never....it could be important to the story or something.
Me: What do you think about Bollywood? Have you ever seen a Bollywood movie?
Janie: I would love to know more about Bollywood! It sounds really fantastic!
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