Dave asks:
I’m about to graduate from college, move back to my home town, then get married all in the next year. Compounded with needing a real (read: paying) job, I’m finding my self worried about making ends meet and still making it in the business.
What would you say is the right balance between the day job, interning, and touch and go work like being a PA?
Sorry, there is no such thing as “balance” in this business. You work twelve hours a day, with no predictable hours, or not at all, if the show gets cancelled. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a job soon after; if you’re unlucky, you won’t. The job is entirely unpredictable.
“Day jobs” don’t really enter into it. It’s possible to be a student and an intern at the same time, because both of those have flexible schedules. But there’s no way to hold down another job at the same time you’re a PA. You get your call time the night before; what are you going to tell your boss at your day job?
Being married actually gives you an advantage, if your spouse is patient. If he or she can pick up the slack when you’re not working, and put up with not seeing you when you are, then A) you’ve married a saint, and B) you might just make it in this business.
For single folk, the only option is to be frugal and save up for the lean times.
I’ll admit, this isn’t the most fun advice I’ve given, but it’s definitely the truth. People need to hear that once in a while.
