Yup, I’ve actually had this thought. When trying to fill in data and figure out “why I didn’t get the job” my brain concluded that “I have small teeth”.
Now, writing this out, it sounds ridiculous, but in the moment, I felt in my soul.
“How dare they not cast me because of my small teeth!”
Then a very real check-in with myself “Um, you sound crazy!”
How many other crazy stories was I telling myself?
I’m was too tall or was it too short?
They wanted someone skinnier, no wait leaner.
They didn’t like my voice.
They think I’m too plain.
They didn’t even look at me, I was just another number today.
And on, and on and on.
These stories are the worst possible poison a performer can tell themselves. And what’s worse, is we start to believe them. There are two common responses to believing the incredulous stories your telling yourself
- Get mad at casting for their unreasonable expectations
Wait…whose expectations are these? See above
2. Get mad at yourself for not living up to these unreasonable expectations
Come on Teeth, DO BETTER
The truth is, neither reaction will get you anywhere. Filling in the blanks when you didn’t get the role, “book”, get a callback or even feel like they didn’t see you, is an exercise in futility.
But how can you improve without tearing yourself down and trying to “fix” yourself after every audition you don’t book?
Simple. Ask yourself one question “Did I do your level best in the room?”
This requires an honest answer.
It addresses the real facts:
Was I prepared?
Was I a solution to casting’s problem?
Did I make everyone in the room feel like they are a person and not a paycheck? I mean, these are real people, with real lives and they have bad days too. Make it a little more about them and a lot less about you. <3
Did I do my job?
If you can answer “yes” to all of these questions, then you can let that one go and move on to the next room with confidence.
If there are a couple of “no’s” understand that these are actually places that you can improve and grow.
How can I be a better solution to their problem next time?
Can I make it easy for casting to see me as their best possible choice?
Can I make people feel at ease when I enter the room?
Real questions that allow you to offer solutions, take you power back and prepare you for the next audition.
Yes. It’s a hard business. And if we continue to be harsh on ourselves, well, it’s going to be an even steeper climb.
Control the controllables.
Ask the right questions.
Be kind to yourself and let this process help you grow into the artist you are meant to be.
Be Brave. The world needs your voice!