I recently was speaking to another audio drama creator and she was talking about how hard it is to have to reject actors auditioning for a role. So I thought I’d lay out how Hollywood does it for some insights on both sides of the microphone.
The absolute most important thing as a voice actor auditioning is to FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS from casting. In Hollywood, casting tells you in big red letters that anyone not following their directions won’t be considered for the role. The directions aren’t just performance directions. I’m talking about mechanical directions. Anything from how you label the file, how many takes they asked for, where to upload the file and the due date/time it should be received by. You actually are helping casting cut down their choices if you don’t read or disregard their directions. They immediately know you don’t care to follow directions, and will be a bad choice to work with professionally.
Alright, so let’s assume you’ve followed the directions so the casting director (or in indie podcasting, usually the creator/producer) is listening to your audition. If you aren’t a seasoned auditioner, here’s the plain facts: you have zero control over who they choose. Did you do your job? Your job was to give the best audition you could. If you did that, then mission accomplished. Turn off your brain and don’t think of that audition again. IF they do reach out to cast you, that’s the cherry on top. Not the life-and-death teeth clenching worrying over the role. If you didn’t get it, that’s a bummer. But that’s the reality. You won’t get the majority of things you audition for. So don’t think about it again.
Now, for the person doing casting, you need to remove emotion from the equation. You can tell that actor tried really hard. You really liked what they did, just not a good fit for what you’re looking for. Don’t apologize for not choosing someone. It feels like you’re being the “bad guy.” You want to show the actor you are grateful they took the time and had the interest to audition for you. But this is when, as the person casting, you have to be professional. I 100% believe in NOT contacting the people who auditioned but weren’t cast. You do NOT owe that actor an apology email. IF they are professional about this process, they don’t need someone to coddle them through not being chosen. And it is NOT the job of casting to be there for emotional support. You are NOT the bad guy!
Being an actor is hard. You have to be emotionally vulnerable because the craft calls for it. And being rejected when you were vulnerable is a hard blow. Actors internalize and try to find blame within themselves as to why they weren’t cast. And I think indie creators, who are more hands on and closer to the entire process, feel that and want to soften that rejection. But, guys, seriously, there are so many reasons why you might not have gotten the part that are completely out of your control. And casting, you know why one person fit better than another. No one owes anyone an explanation.
This does all sound very cold and business-like. But this is “Show Business.” Decisions are made for what best serves the show. And that’s really all it is. It’s not judgement on someone’s talent. It’s simply a strategic choice of what is right for the overall production.
Chrisi (aka Madison)
