A few months ago, I was on a spec commercial set, bemoaning my lack of work.  No, not the acting kind (although, I frequently bemoan the lack of that, too).  I was complaining about the absence of rent-paying jobs.  That’s right, folks, the vital and often annoying Survival Job.  The classic joke is that every waiter in New York and Los Angeles is actually a broke actor (a joke I find to be used in a rather crass way.  Hey, buddy, that broke actor is serving you your dinner in order to support his/her artistic pursuit!  Very noble, if you ask moi.)  The good news about acquiring Survival Jobs to support the oft-expensive acting habit that we’re all addicted to: you get to work in various interesting job markets and develop all kinds of cool skill sets!  (Not only do I know how to market annual subscriptions for a suburban theater company, I also know the technical terminology of candle-making, how to mark up and sell high-end men’s suits, and how to flyer three city blocks at a time with membership coupons for the local gym.)  The bad news: you have to look for a Survival Job almost as much as you have to look for the ultimately important Acting Job.
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