GRRRRR! I Didn't Get It!

Acting Career FAQ - GRRRRR! I Didn't Get It!

by Bob Fraser

As I've mentioned in the past, one of the worst parts of being a professional actor is the amazing amount of rejection one must endure to become successful. There are many "hard parts" to having a paying acting career - but rejection is the hardest. Some tips for handling the inevitable rejection you will have to face - and get by - as you ply your trade:

G. GET OVER IT. This is a primary 'skill' you must learn to develop. How do you do it? Here are some 'mind-sets' that can help ...

R. REACT REASONABLY. When you have discovered that they "went another way" do you wail and thrash about? Do you fall limply onto the couch vowing to give it up? Do you' get angry at the casting director who obviously failed to see talent when it was right in front of her? Or do you go back and look at your own work to see that it was carefully prepared? Did you arrive on time? Did you present a confident audition? Did you make good personal contact with the casting director? If you did your part properly – then you should thank the stars for this rejection and move on to the next step.

R. RELEASE. You don't have to repress your reaction. In fact, after you have screamed and wailed and cried and finished off a quart of Cherry Garcia, you can then move on and prepare for your next audition. You will have to discover the best way to 'let it go' for yourself - but let it go you must. Talk it out with another actor, go to the gym, read a book, listen to some music ... do what you can to put it behind you. Because holding on to rejection is a very bad plan in our business.

R. RESIST. Don't fall prey to the temptation to stay in that place where you feel awful about not "getting it." Once you’ve allowed yourself to go through the emotions of being rejected and decided to 'let it go' it’s critical to move past the the letdown, and see what you can do to increase your odds of acceptance the next time around. Talk to your coach or teacher. Even if your work doesn’t need anything more, it’s always good to have the support of someone who understands the acting life to help you get over the bumps of rejection.

R. RE-CAP. Take a look at how far you’ve come. Going over your list of past successes can help soften the blows of rejection. If you don’t have a list of your past victories, it's time to make one. Also, after a reasonable time, revisit the audition you gave and see if, 'in the cold light of day' there is anything you can do to improve your own skills. Perhaps you need to go back to a cold reading class - or spend a few weeks with a coach working on your improv "chops." Or maybe it's all about your nerves and being in a good place - in which case it might be worth doing some exercises designed to calm you down in moments of stress.

R. REPEAT. In our business it is the actor who can get past the rejection and 'get back up on the horse' who has the best chance at success. So, it is of the greatest importance that you go to another audition as soon as you can. Even if another audition is for something you don't want - just going and giving it your best shot can help you progress in your career.

R. RESILIENT. Only those who can get past the sort of rejection that is part of every actor's daily work life, have any hope of eventual success. Keep in mind the long valued advice of McGuffey's Reader: "If at first you don't succeed, try try again."