Another Trip To The City

Though I added a second appointment the trip was originally going to be 4:30 hours in-transit to read a thirty second spot!

Busy day today.

I got a call a few days ago from a New York casting agent, Don Case. Sources tell me he is “the man” when it comes to casting voices and faces for commercials. I’d been to see him last week, so another opportunity to familiarize him with me seemed like a good idea.

Though I added a second appointment the trip was originally going to be 4:30 hours in-transit to read a thirty second spot! Even then it’s just an audition. Odds are someone else will get the gig.

Trust me, it’s worth it to build a relationship that might pay off… even if that payoff is much later.

I was done earlier than expected so instead of taking the train uptown to my appointment across from Carnegie Hall I walked. Google tells me it was about two miles, a comfortable trip on this gray and chilly day.

I moved past the New York Public Library, Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center before killing a few minutes on Central Park South and Columbus Circle.

The apartment buildings across from Central Park have always been very appealing to me. With a little extra time to dawdle and take a closer look I changed my mind. They look old and tired. That’s in contrast to their neighbors on Central Park West whose buildings are old and regal!

By 3:07 I was back on the train and on my way home. Exactly how do you daily commuters do this?

Postscript: Every time I write about New York City I hear from some of you in Connecticut who haven’t been in years or have never been. For you here’s a little taste of the New York city subway. It’s the best and fastest way to get around in Manhattan.

[jwplayer image=”/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bars_000000.jpeg” mediaid=”9206″]

24 thoughts on “Another Trip To The City”

  1. Good luck with your ventures, Geoff. I must admit that I am not at all fond of the subway. I’d rather walk from one end of the city to the other, but have taken a bus when necessary. And there are always those infamous taxis. If you need to get to work in a timely manner, I realize the subway is the only way to go……..but that hasn’t been my situation.

    1. It’s an interesting way to travel. When you’re down below you realize what a melting pot NYC really is! I have been on crowded trains where I was the only Caucasian and possible the only native American.

  2. You were brave to film in the subway station. I was worried someone was going to catch you filming them and get upset!

  3. Too bad it’s so darned difficult to move through the Big Apple. I have not been there in over 20 years… the idea of Me Vs. Fifteen Million isn’t very appealing!

  4. Brings back memories. I used to travel through Grand Central in my high school days because I had summer jobs in the city and then again in my college days for various reasons. Haven’t been in the city in many years and Grand Central looks a little different now. Thanks for the video.

    1. There are a few different Grand Central stations! There’s Grand Central Terminal, where Metro North runs. Then below are three separate subway lines/platforms/stations! Busy place.

  5. Every time you write about the city I want to hop on a train and head in! I spent a good 5 years walking everywhere before I had the courage to take the subway! My sister and I made our kids (6 and 8 at the time) walk the 30 or so blocks from Grand Central to the Natural History Museum because we were afraid to take the subway. Now we’ll take the shuttle between GCT and Times Square!
    Good luck with your auditions and I hope you get a gig soon!

    1. Yes Nancy – I mentioned the subway because so many people needlessly avoid it. I grew up riding it and actually took a bus and two subways each way every day through my four high school years!

  6. I love it! Not such a fan of sharing you with NY, but was there right before Christmas- rode the subway and was surprised how clean and ‘user friendly’ it was! Please promise you will stay our FB friends!

  7. Quite a walk from 42 street to 35th then back up to central park. we’ve done it a few years back. we would take the train in to grand central and then walk to bryant park have our lunch(home made sandwiches)then go to a show on broadway and come home. nice place to visit but, it’s always nice to come home.

    1. Google Maps said it was 1.8 miles to my destination. Since I was early I overshot that and then walked back. A bit more than two is my estimate.

      Cool and gray is perfect for walking. I enjoy people watching and Wednesday (matinée day) is usually busy in Manhattan.

  8. As someone who was born in the “city”…….”New York, New York, it’s a hell of a town….the Bronx is up and the Battery down…..the people ride in a hole in the ground…….!! Ah, brings back fond memories. Happy to be from there, but happier not to have to live there any longer. My analogy of the city is that it’s like a giant ant colony with waves of people seemingly aimlessly scurrying about, bumping into and bouncing off one another, but each with a purpose in their lives.
    On another topic, I was curious about how amazingly steady your video was even while you were moving, and was wondering if your video recorder has image stabilization? Not owning a camcorder myself and being unfamiliar with any of that type of recording equipment, I was very impressed with the lack of what I would term, ” hand held shake” that I’ve often observed viewing other home videos.
    Hope that your employment search ends soon and that it doesn’t entail any additional upheaval which WTNH so foolishly created! Would be great to have you remain in CT.

    1. Technique!

      It was shot with an iPhone which has a reasonable wide angle lens. The wider the lens the less shake you’ll see! However, I held the camera low and with two hands which is more stable than one hand at eye level..

  9. As the mother of a daughter who commutes by train, it ain’t fun. The trains are hot when they should be cool and cold when they should be warm, mostly really dirty and often off schedule or canceled without warning. It is not a fun way to spend 90 min. each way. But you do what you have to do.

  10. Walking around with your camera, You must have looked like such a typical “tourist”! I suppose you looked up at all the buildings, too. LOL!

    1. Cellphone camera! However I often bring “Clicky” with me to NYC. On my walk I did do a lot of looking up. There’s a lot of really interesting detail work on the older buildings that’s easy to miss.

  11. “Trust me, it’s worth it to build a relationship that might pay off… even if that payoff is much later.”
    Oh, how true! I have been looking for a job for the past several months and applied everywhere and went on every interview I could-even if I thought it wasn’t exactly “right” for me. End result-even though I applied and interviewed for a per diem position, the manager called me back when someone unexpectedly resigned a few weeks later and offered me the position!
    Wishing you the same results!

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