Mike Fass

The Strike, the Hike and the Mike

drummerbear | 19 January, 2008 18:51

Although, for me, 2008 shows all the signs of becoming one of the most exciting years yet (and let's plan rather than just hope that it applies to all of us), it sure is, just like all of the best years I've ever known, getting off to a bumpy start.

The writers' strike is crippling many of us and so, like the troopers all seasoned entertainers are expected to be, many of us are seeking work outside of TV and movies. Of course, the only TV and movie work available, generally, is to found in TV commercials plus shows and movies that were written (and will just have to do without the usual rewrites) before the strike initiated. That means EVERYBODY'S goin' for 'em! It also means hitting the road and working live.

It's funny because, as my music career began to cool off and I found myself returning more frequently to acting assignments, I began to realize a saving grace in the transition. When I was a young and in-demand drummer for rock and pop acts, I could clear most of my competition simply because I was a specialist in my field; one of the hardest hitting power drummers in the industry and there were a lot of performers who wanted that.

Then came a lot of changes in the music industry, far too numerous to detail here in this blog post, that dovetailed with the fact that, the older I got, the younger (and cheaper) my competitors for jobs became. By the end, my average rival for a concert tour or a recording session was about 19 years old and still living with mom and dad and, therefore, had the advantage of being able to underbid my camp for just about any assignment. Compounding this was the fact that, although I hit harder than guys thirty years younger, there just isn't a pressing demand for drummers over the age of 28. That makes me the carton of milk that remained on the shelf for some twenty years past his freshness date. No wonder I'm sour about the whole thing!

Consequently, my return to acting on a more full time basis gave me an unforseen (at least by me) advantage. At 48 (I'll be 49 next month) I never have to compete with a 19 year old for the same roles. Nor can a younger person undercut my established base rates. Even a man my own age won't do that because, as older men, we no longer have stars in our eyes and we don't give it away for free anymore like we did back in the days when the prospect of "exposure" seemed worth the financial sacrifice. Castings with "credit, copy and meal" as compensation are routinely dismissed when offered to guys my age. We've got bills to pay, man!

That said, and with the pickin's as slim as they are until the strike is over, I now expect to see a lot of dubious looking older men at the few casting calls currently available with some of the gray in their hair coming off on their jackets and lines around the eyes that look expertly penciled in.

Oh, sure, call me paranoid. That's how I know that YOU'RE part of the conspiracy (insert sting music here)!

I will, however, be doing more music assignments this year both in the recording studio and in concert.

My favorite gigs, however, will be the personal appearances I'll be making both as Zangief and on behalf of the character and our series at many Street Fighter 20th Anniversary celebrations going on around the world all year in the form of conventions, expos, product premieres at shopping malls, movie theaters and video game establishment openings as well as other events.

This is really cool because it means I'll get to see so many of you in person throughout most of this busy year!

So, as I salute the Writers' Guild of America in their quest and stand in solidarity with them, I most definitely look forward to meeting and hanging out with you!

Much love!

Comments

Jua

MORFEY | 15/03/2010, 14:57

What more felicity can fall to creature, than to enjoy delight with liberty.
http://driv.oldredo.com/kodak-downloads/olympus-mju410-camera.html - olympus mju410 camera http://uqosoqys.bigfreehost.net/copy-slides-with-digital-camera/copy-slides-with-digital-camera.html - copy slides with digital camera http://iwepyqosoti.bigfreehost.net/240-camera-digimax-digital-samsung/easyshare-kodak-review.html - easyshare kodak review http://lens.oldredo.com/sp-590uzm-olympus/kodak-photo-quality-paper.html - kodak photo quality paper http://wepusoqy.freehostee.com/epson-c62-driver/what-is-digital-camera-resolution.html - what is digital camera resolution http://oryra.totalh.com/epson-printer-r230/camera-digital-shutter-speed.html - camera digital shutter speed http://chameleon.oldredo.com/epson-stylus-photo-r210-review/camera-lenses-digital.html - camera lenses digital

Dreamer

Blare | 16/03/2010, 07:46

The more things a man is ashamed of, the more respectable he is.
http://handy-gunstig.digitol.org/n73-mp3/handynummer-zuordnung.html - handynummer zuordnung http://booepyorywyos.iblogger.org/strahlungsarme-schnurlostelefone/motorola-krzr-black.html - motorola krzr black http://smartphone.digitol.org/tomtom-mobile-6-handy/ati-mobile-catalyst.html - ati mobile catalyst http://handy-guenstig.digitol.org/telefon-mobilfunk/use-phone-as-pc-headset.html - use phone as pc headset http://booepyorywyos.iblogger.org/pda-bluetooth-handy/dsl-ohne-vertragsbindung.html - dsl ohne vertragsbindung

Metaller

McLay | 16/03/2010, 13:06

Above all things, never be afraid. The enemy who forces you to retreat is himself afraid of you at that very moment.
http://ysesruoda.totalh.com/how-to-purify-vicodin/average-dose-of-prednisone.html - average dose of prednisone http://rosewetapsa.totalh.com/uk-imitrex/drug-facts-about-prescription-ultram.html - drug facts about prescription ultram http://rgapir.byethost33.com/comparing-hydrocodone-and-oxycodone/women-who-take-aspirin.html - women who take aspirin http://parsytasit.talk4fun.net/mixing-vicodin-valium-viagra/how-long-hydrocodone-in-body.html - how long hydrocodone in body

Da4Huk

Asher | 17/03/2010, 18:13

You can't just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new.
http://tusap.50gigs.net/aspirin-related-ulcers/difference-phenobabital-and-hydrocodone.html - difference phenobabital and hydrocodone http://epirew.123bemyhost.com/methadone-and-hydrocodone/hydrocodone-apa.html - hydrocodone apa http://tqosariwi.50gigs.net/bad-side-effect-of-celebrex/side-effects-when-coming-off-prednisone.html - side effects when coming off prednisone http://quwesy.iblogger.org/medrol-tablets-for-dogs.html - medrol tablets for dogs http://repzuritysu.50gigs.net/prednisone-affecting-menstrual-periods/what-does-vicodin-pills-look-like.html - what does vicodin pills look like

Folder

Echo | 18/03/2010, 06:39

If we fall, we don't need self-recrimination or blame or anger - we need a reawakening of our intention and a willingness to recommit, to be whole-hearted once again.
http://upeqypopysi.byethost10.com/handy-logo-herz/prepaid-siemens.html - prepaid siemens http://upeqypopysi.byethost10.com/kostenlos-themen-nokia-n-73/kfw-co2.html - kfw co2 http://qpuwopusa.talk4fun.net/telefonbuch-luenen/sony-ericsson-w810i-neu.html - sony ericsson w810i neu http://ippesywop.talk4fun.net/lu-23-td1/samsung-sgh-x510-rot.html - samsung sgh x510 rot http://elfywitpirad.byethost10.com/sony-ericsson-c905/n73-music-edition-bericht.html - n73 music edition bericht http://qpuwopusa.talk4fun.net/handyreparatur-kassel/flatrate-von-handy.html - flatrate von handy http://upeqypopysi.byethost10.com/soundmax-ad1985/handy-freischalten-siemens-s65.html - handy freischalten siemens s65

Da-Ha

Richard | 18/03/2010, 14:18

Deeds, not words shall speak me.
http://mooicsyqa.twohosting.com/conair-scale-watcher-weight/ephedrine-diet-pill-for-sale.html - ephedrine diet pill for sale http://ewyreon.twohosting.com/build-muscle-and-loose-weight/build-muscle-and-loose-weight.html - build muscle and loose weight http://iqdasupis.twohosting.com/southbeach-diet-recipe/diet-for-blood-type-a.html - diet for blood type a http://esarar.twohosting.com/night-stand-with-dick-dietrich.html - night stand with dick dietrich

Lapohka

Bbzzz_ | 19/03/2010, 06:45

Marriage is the only adventure open to the cowardly.
http://oqopsu.comoj.com/tomtom-mobile-nokia-n95-8gb.html - tomtom mobile nokia n95 8gb http://oqopsu.comoj.com/gratis-software-fur-handy.html - gratis software fur handy http://oqopsu.comoj.com/nokia-6310-kalender-kopieren.html - nokia 6310 kalender kopieren

Kosmos

Marukh | 19/03/2010, 14:06

Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.
http://ygwer.freeo.net/nokia-n80-kaufen/download-software-nokia-6288.html - download software nokia 6288 http://tepusuwe.freeo.net/used-snowmobile-parts/opel-handylogo.html - opel handylogo http://tgypato.freeo.net/vodafone-d2-laden-hannover/route-66-n73-free-download.html - route 66 n73 free download http://qoriqusyq.freeo.net/nokia-handy-6021-kauf-ohne-vertrag/handy-vertrag-medion-pc.html - handy vertrag medion pc http://paspupapeta.freeo.net/6233-ohne-vertrag-preisvergleich/autumobile.html - autumobile

VdTqyMJiPJP

ultram drug interaction | 19/03/2010, 17:30

comment1, metformin no prescription, nexium, tetracycline chlamydia, does rimonabant work, zimulti 60 pills, pak zithromax, canada phentermine, ultram coupons, xenical and meridia, valtrex, buy levitra online, zithromax, lexapro, alprazolam effects side xanax,

cGkVuTiekJesQDIRgqX

cheapest reductil | 19/03/2010, 18:35

comment4, buy cheap rimonabant online, retin a micro gel, soma, tramadol, drug ultram, zolpidem extended release, valium, cheap viagra online, valtrex, buy adipex,

FKPKkoMrqx

monaslim | 19/03/2010, 19:37

comment4, purchase xanax online, zimulti 90 pills, side effects for valtrex, xenical diet pill, klonopin, order tamiflu, zithromax tri-pak, viagra, stop taking lexapro ssri,

IszDBmzbNzjmnqhC

propranolol online | 19/03/2010, 20:39

comment3, how much xanax is overdose, propranolol side effects, monaslim, tramadol, prozac backlash overcoming danger of prozac, klonopin toxicity, diazepam prescription online, levitra, phentermine 37.5 mg tablet,

LAbLWVQTlnuQIZsBde

phentermine off label dose | 19/03/2010, 21:43

comment6, buy propranolol, levaquin antibiotic for sale online, generic for valtrex, buy metformin online, valtrex, alcohol equivalent to valium, tamiflu dosage, diet ingredient phentermine pill, diazepam online, staining tetracycline, low valium, tramadol,

joqNspNAjLcgT

greece in zolpidem | 20/03/2010, 05:21

comment6, nexium, valium, xenical no prescription cheap, cialis, phentermine side effects,

QTbICdwnWXHhWG

levaquin | 20/03/2010, 07:52

comment1, buy injectable valium, xenical long term side effects, buy generic tamiflu, tramadol foreign, valium, compare levitra and viagra, phentermine without prescription,

jIBuwLRSyUBw

tetracycline acne | 20/03/2010, 09:04

comment6, metformin, retin a too much, zithromac, generic cialis, viagra super active 30 pills, klonopin, nolvadex, zithromax,

Oooee

GREEN | 20/03/2010, 09:43

Inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that's where you renew your springs that never dry up.
http://supdisy.iblogger.org/acetaminophen-hydrocodone-ingredients/tramadol-side-effecs-in-dogs.html - tramadol side effecs in dogs http://qisagrapot.50gigs.net/etodolac-interactions/methotrexate-and-dogs.html - methotrexate and dogs http://repzuritysu.50gigs.net/motrin-with-codein/cost-imitrex.html - cost imitrex http://wdupeqir.iblogger.org/what-is-ultram-er-used-for.html - what is ultram er used for http://uqytyrosistow.50gigs.net/aspirin-engineer-free/mail-order-imitrex-100mg-tab.html - mail order imitrex 100mg tab

RotdNhDpnJypEMCFa

generic metformin | 20/03/2010, 10:18

comment3, slimona, phentermine, buy xenical, viagra pill, propecia hair loss treatment, levitra,

ByarOZA

Korisk | 20/03/2010, 16:06

The lesson which life repeats and constantly enforces is 'look under foot.' You are always nearer the divine and the true sources of your power than you think.
http://esutew.talk4fun.net/hydrocodon-vicodin-generic-vs-brand-name.html - hydrocodon vicodin generic vs brand name http://uwpasa.totalh.com/methotrexate-doses/can-you-take-bupropion-and-hydrocodone.html - can you take bupropion and hydrocodone http://yqyqe.talk4fun.net/biling-ismo/uv-vis-spectroscopy-application-for-aspirin.html - uv vis spectroscopy application for aspirin

SCJTBgoFZSberEirB

tetracycline hydrochloride online pharmacy | 20/03/2010, 18:51

comment5, retin a over the counter, tavanic, phentermine results, valtrex, ultram pain medication, xenical, buy viagra oil, klonopin for epilepsy, lipitor, tramadol pain reliever, xanax generic,