No. 37 - Design Direction with Stephanie Sherry (Part 2)
Juggling two work lives and the realities of an acting career
In last week’s issue, Stephanie Sherry walked us through how she ended up working in interior design as a side gig while she hustles to pursue her real passion in entertainment. Today, we get into the realities of life as an actor, pursuing different avenues from scripted podcasts to TV commercials to voice-over work, all while juggling her day job. Like how we are in our friendship, our lives could not be more different and I’m constantly fascinated by her world in entertainment.
Anyway, back to you! How do you balance working in both industries? Walk me through your week, how crazy is it?
*her friend Kelly calls, they discuss logistics for self-taping*
See this is the real, true life of an actor Jolyn. *to Kelly* She was just asking me what it’s like to balance both my two lives. And it's hilarious. This is what it is; it's like, when do we do the audition? Do we do it tonight or do we do it tomorrow?
*they hang up*
Anyway, so what's happening tomorrow, just to explain the hilarity of my life, I have an audition for an eczema medication commercial, and they're literally looking for artsy design assistant types. And the girl in the commercial is presenting and looking at fabric swatches and my agent was like, you should do it at your office. So talk about my world's colliding.
All this to say, I mean, it's really hard, and it doesn't always work out. You know, I work 9 to 6 (at the design firm), and I get an hour break, and that ends up being really crucial. So voiceover auditions come in every day at 6pm and they're either due the next day at 8am or they're due that night. So it's a constant battle with my voiceover agents; what's worse, staying up late and doing auditions, or waking up early and doing auditions? And then I also will get on-camera auditions; I have a commercial agent, a theatrical agent, and I have a manager and they all, at any moment, can also send me auditions.
So it's completely random; I already had one today and then I got another one that I'm doing tomorrow morning, and they're all always due at different times. And then, sometimes, the auditions are in person, and that's where it messes up with Melissa (design boss). My time slot at this casting for a car commercial is at 1:10pm, and you're not really allowed to change them. Maybe if you're someone that they like, but it's very not okay to ask for a different slot. The slot they give you is what they give you, so it's constantly negotiating my work schedule.
When I booked my first movie, Melissa let me take two weeks off, but when Melissa was doing a photoshoot up in Atherton, up in Silicon Valley, I had to book out with my agents and be like, I'm not available unless I book something. So I'm constantly navigating all of it; I'm having to audition at 6 in the morning or 12 at night, and it's definitely exhausting. And sometimes, I'm running from work and changing to go to a short film premiere for something I’m in. Or like, last week, for that scripted podcast, I worked until three and she let me go early and I ran up to record for two hours.
It's insane. You never really feel ready for anything, you’re never 100% grounded. But I also think that, similar to people that work in restaurants, I'm sure anyone who's worked in hospitality: you feel unhinged and feel exhausted, but there's part of you that has to be fueled by the chaos. Even if you feel very stressed out, there has to be some part of you that's sparked alive by that chaotic environment, or you wouldn't do it. In real life, you don't just right away book that movie that takes you out of living paycheck to paycheck. I’ve booked more acting gigs this year than I ever have in my entire life, and I still need another job.
How have you seen your acting career take off? From when we met (back in 2017) to now, how did that happen?
Well, when we met, I had these really bad agents that I was always complaining about. When Hearth and Hound (the restaurant we worked at) closed, the last week we were open- we knew we were closing; it was like, why are we even still running this place? It was so bleak, and I was so over it, and I remember this so vividly: it was the last week, it was a Monday and we were so dead that they only had me. I was the only server. And it was fine, it genuinely wasn't that bad. But as a result, I was able to talk to all my tables (of which there were not many) for a long time.
And one of them was like, oh my god, are you a stand up? That had become the joke at Hearth and Hound; every table would go, oh my god, are you a stand up? And I was always like, no, no, no. Why does everyone keep saying that?
And she was like, you should take my friend's stand up class. It was so meant to be and so weird, right when I was leaving Hearth and Hound, this happened. Anyway, I took the stand-up class, which went really well, and from there, I got scouted to The Comedy Store, and then I did Flappers Comedy Club and then I was doing other smaller shows. So all of a sudden, having a lot of stand up experience, and then putting those credits on my resume got me a bunch more opportunities; that's totally how I got all of my Buzzfeed videos. So I started getting more gigs because people always want people with a strong comedy background.
Then I ventured into voiceover - which totally changed my life.
This actually all came about because of two totally happenstance situations. My roommate-at-the-time’s brother was in a bind and saw something in me and gave me a shot at recording the gig of a lifetime - a promo for the US Olympic Bobsled Team. Before I knew it I was the Official Voice of the US Olympic Bobsled Team. Pretty good for someone who absolutely sucks at all sports! And then I ended up making a voiceover reel. Another family I used a babysit for, the dad, who is a super successful voiceover actor, was like, I want to start making voiceover reels for actors and you'll be my guinea pig!
And once I had that reel I was able to cold submit myself to agents. I literally just cold emailed every single agent whose email I could find on IMDb Pro - it’s crazy but you have to at least try! And I ended up signing with one of the best agencies in the country. Like what? How?! And then you know, those reps lead to new reps and the team just keeps changing and growing! In the last year, I signed with a new commercial agent, who I absolutely adore, and he led me to my newest VO agent, who has also been incredible. It’s crazy how everything falls into place. It really is so much luck and who you know.
But I really have always found that the best opportunities come to me completely by chance - right place, right time. I mean the first feature film I did, I got the role because someone happened to find my actor profile while scouring online and they just “knew” I was right for the part. And this is after years and years of auditioning and constantly seeking out my own opportunities. The role I ended up getting was from someone finding me. And this other incredible short film I did this past year - I got that because Melissa had me picking up a rug sample for a client and the photographer at the rug studio had an actor drop out of his film that day and poof! There I was and I got the part. You can’t write this shit!
It’s been a wild year for me. And of course I'm nowhere near where I dream of being, but you have to acknowledge the strides that you make! In this past year alone, I did three short films, my first feature film, several VO gigs, and I joined SAG all while working full time. That's a lot for me!
What does that actually mean, for a person to join SAG?
So joining SAG, you're a part of the union, which of course has a ton of perks. But really it just feels like you're finally a professional actor. It’s a big moment!
Of course it’s fun to vote for the SAG Awards and you get screeners and you get to watch these big films from home. You also get access to live screenings which often have talkbacks with the directors and the actors after, which are incredible. But what it really means is that you can be employed in union gigs, which is everything you've ever seen, movies and TV shows. It also means that you're protected by a union.
Everyone’s like, oh you get health insurance. You get health insurance if you make, I think, a minimum of 30 grand a year, which let’s be real, is next to impossible as an actor (lol). If you have a couple lines on a TV shoot, that's like a grand. And if you’re just starting out you’re only going out for those smaller parts, so you’d have to book three tv shows a month to make 30 grand! I don’t know anyone with those stats (lol)!
Interesting, I didn't know that. People from outside the industry just assume that every gig is so major and so much money. Every voiceover, everything.
I did a radio voiceover for a job search website, I've never even heard it to this day, and that paid $1500 dollars, and that’s obviously awesome for an hour, that’s crazy, but I haven't booked a radio voiceover since. And, sure, certain commercials can pay a ton, but they’re hard to get.
Do you want to share your favorite gig that you've ever done?
Sure! I did my first feature; it's an indie movie and it's actually not out yet! It's set in Laurel Canyon in 1972. It’s a beautiful period piece that explores a kind of alternate-history for the abundant music scene at that time. They’re pitching it to all the big festivals as we speak. Basically, from what I understand, the way the indie world works, is if you're lucky enough to get into one of the big film festivals, they won't accept you if you've officially or unofficially premiered anywhere else.
And so you have to kind of make a decision. You're like, I'm either going to just release this everywhere, so people can start seeing it, or you hide it away for a year because you're hoping it against all odds gets into one of these festivals, which is of course so hard, but the ultimate goal. And that's the route they’re taking. You gotta shoot for the stars! So I filmed it in March a year ago at this point, and we still haven't seen it! But for good reason!
Do you get paid for it even if it's not out into the world?
Oh of course! Actors typically have day rates and those you receive no matter what, and then if it’s negotiated into your contract that you will also make money off the back end, that’s another thing entirely. (AKA you can negotiate it so that you make money when the film starts to make money.) I really loved working on this feature - it’s definitely the hardest I’ve ever worked on a project. I put more into this character than I ever have. Fingers crossed - I hope it shows!
At the end of the day I feel very lucky. While it definitely is hard working 9 to 6, and then effectively working 6 to 9; it’s all worth it when you book gigs that just light you up inside.
What is the best and the worst thing about working in entertainment?
Oh, I mean, the best part about working in entertainment is that I just so believe in it - I so believe in the power of art, television especially. For me, it’s always been TV. I grew up just loving sitcoms. My whole family loves The Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, FRIENDS, Seinfeld…. It’s what bonds us together. It’s what taught me to love comedy.
When you really get me going - I think television’s just the most important thing on the planet. I mean, if quarantine taught us anything, it’s that we turn to our comfort shows when we need to feel a little less alone. And there’s something magical about the bond you form with your favorite characters on TV, you don’t just experience them once in one story like with a film, you get to be with them week after week. You get to learn with them, grow with them, and love them like they were family. I’ve been watching Abbott Elementary lately and it's the absolute best. It encompasses everything I love about television, everything I hope to be a part of someday. The show is so funny and yet so full of heart.
I just really believe in the power of entertainment. There is nothing more important to me than being involved with projects that make people laugh, that make people feel connected. Life is hard! And we need outlets to feel seen and to feel joy and to feel heard. And yes, to escape every now and then!
And so yeah if that means I have to grind for years and be living paycheck to paycheck I will do that. Nothing else matters to me. Even if that means sometimes having to subject yourself to the most absurd commercial auditions (lol).
Can you give an example of an absurd commercial?
Listen, don’t get me wrong I genuinely love commercials (there’s a reason you never forget your favorites) and I would KILL to book one, but there’s no getting around that sometimes what you’re asked to do is hysterical. What was that one for? Oh, I remember. I remember! So, I can’t legally say the name, but let’s say (insert company name) is creating an on-demand delivery service. And, hypothetically, this girl is drunkenly waking up being like, woah…what happened last night? And she rolls over and it's this anthropomorphized toaster that she bought. And they cut to last night, and she ordered it and they fell in love, and it’s implying that she had a one night stand with the toaster. Like…what else is there to say?!
So the audition was again *hypothetically*, take your toaster and dance around with it! And look at the toaster and improvise! And sure you sometimes feel ridiculous, but you just HAVE to go for it and have fun with it.
One time, it had nothing to do with what the commercial was actually for, but the audition was like, you have to walk into the office and subtly react to a smoothie being thrown in your face. And I was like, how do you subtly react to being hit with a smoothie? I’d freak out (lol)!
One time I had to eat ice cream and show that I was enjoying it, but not in a "sexual way”. They're like, alright, so take a bite and savor it, and you're like *eats and smiles*. And, I’m sorry, who's the best at doing that? I don't fucking know!
But still, I seriously believe in it! Everyone has those commercials that they love.
And at the end of the day doing some sillier auditions isn’t a drag, it’s the grind that gets to you. The worst part of acting is that it's so much rejection. And it's can be really unrewarding most of the time. You literally feel like you’re crazy for doing this.
You get to do your job, maybe, what? 10 days a year? And then you suffer the rest of the time in hopes of getting those 10 days?! It's just so brutal. And people think you’re nuts. And then you have to deal with everyone judging you on top of that (including yourself!). Some members of my family wonder when I’m going to quit and “get a real job”, sometimes I worry too that I’ll always be just grinding and living paycheck to paycheck, but maybe I’m ok with that because it means living a life I stand by and doing what I love.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t brutally hard- you do your absolute best on these auditions, and most of the time, you don't hear anything. You don't even know if the work you did was even seen by anyone. It can feel utterly pointless at times. And that’s why it’s so important to just make your own work and find meaning in your own projects. And then finally you DO book and it IS wonderful and the cycle starts all over (lol).
All right, I have one last question: what's next for Stephanie Sherry and any dream projects you want to manifest?
Omg I love this! What's next? I mean at this point what really matters to me is that I release my podcast and I don't just record a bunch of episodes and never put it out there. I’m terrified of money and logistics and fear getting in the way. So, I hope that it's out and I'm doing that and that I'm able to gain some confidence and some sense of efficacy doing that. And then, hopefully, I can leverage that into other opportunities. But just doing it for the sake of doing it is enough for me right now.
I'd also love to publish more of my own writing. I love writing comedic personal essays and think pieces. And of course any and all acting opportunities that might serendipitously (combined with a ton of hard work) come my way!
