Auditioning for roles, or interviewing for jobs… are exactly like a sickly kitten. What I mean is:
For many decades now, I have bought kittens from breeders. I currently have 3 cats – two are 7 and one is 14. Before that, I had 3 other cats, and before that two more, going back to the 1990s. Once I find myself catless (ie they have died), I find a breeder and buy another 2 or 3.
On one of these visits, a few years back, I noticed the runt of the litter was looking poorly. I asked the breeder what was wrong, and if she would take her to the vet. She said no, they tend to either die, or not, no matter how much money you spend on them at the vet’s. They are sickly, they don’t thrive, they have problems – and it becomes uneconomic to spend a fortune on them, only for them to die anyway. Probably farmers would agree with this – they know the signs among their young livestock – the ones who are going to make it and the ones who aren’t.
The same is true of auditioning for acting roles, which I do quite a lot now, usually by self-tape on my phone. I learn the lines, read the direction, dress appropriately for the part (not a costume, but just the right mood) and record the scene. I may also record the other actors’ parts (ie if it’s not a monologue), and play them in from my laptop. I set up the tripod and lights etc – either outside in the garden or inside, depending on the noise levels around me. I may need props (because I may need to be cooking or miming sewing etc) so I’ll spend some time finding suitable bits and bobs.
I record it (sometimes it takes several takes, if I am interrupted or haven’t memorised it well enough) and then I upload the file, label it with my name and details, and send it off to my agent and/or the casting director.
Here’s where the kitten comes in. If the casting director loves it, I will probably hear quite quickly (not always) and things will take off (the kitten thrives!)
Or I’ll get a resounding silence. I may prod my agent, ask for news – has there been any feedback? Any reaction? Anything else I can do? Can I let them know about some relevant experience I have? Or relevant skills? Do they want to see my showreel or other examples of my work? Thankfully, I mostly just THINK ABOUT doing all of these things – because badgering a Casting Director is counter productive.
Because something may have happened – the project is on hold/delayed. The lead actor can’t get a visa, the money has run out/been pulled. There’s been a rewrite, the exec producers think the script needs work before they start shooting, somebody is ill, somebody has died. There are a million reasons why movies get delayed. Maybe the project never happens. The kitten dies.
And, like the breeder, I can’t MAKE the kitten live, I can’t make the film go ahead. I can’t make them pick me. I can only put myself forward, and they either love me or they don’t. ORRR, on the day, I am the least-worst option, when all the actors they really wanted have said no! 🙂
My Point is:
Do put yourself forward, but the outcome is in the lap of the Gods. You can’t force it. The projects you are meant to do, will come to you. But don’t NOT try. Don’t passively give up and never put yourself out there. Keep plugging away. Keep showing up. You’ve got to be in it to win it 🙂
#acting #actorslife #audition #auditioning #auditions #jobmarket #jobinterviews #motivation #perseverence #skills #presentationskills
