Time up for an actor?

Location > Networking > Forum > Time up for an actor?

	Topic: Time up for an actor?
Posted : 06/07/10 / Views : 2375 / Replies : 15 /
John Burton 76 posts last on: 19/01/12 send private reply	I am seriously thinking after many successful years of good solid paid mainstream work - to bring the curtain down on my career. I have had great success over the years appearing in many things (but a good CV absolutely counts for NOTHING), I am now starting to worry that I am no longer cut out for the constant rejection, nerves and worries at castings/meetings/interviews and auditions which consistently bring back the same result - "it's a no on this occasion". Even when I get a job I don't think I have EVER seen the same casting director again for another job (maybe a couple at a push), so where am I going wrong? Since 2007 I have not been offered a single television job despite being seen in the last year alone for:- Hustle, Eastenders, Coronation St(x2), Five daughters, Emmerdale, The Cut, and last week- Waking the dead (which was confirmed as a "NO" yesterday). I don't know what it is. Am I coming across too confident/not confident enough, arrogant or shy, talkative or mute, am I showing signs of nerves or being over zealous, am I reading it too quickly/slowly. I am at a loss as to where and how I am going wrong. It is a bit like a football striker who is on a bad run of luck and cannot score a goal. He knows he is a good footballer and he knows he can score goals but when he receives the ball and is bearing down on the goalkeeper, one on one – he dinks it over the bar or puts it wide. That's the only way I can sum it up. I have a fantastic agent who is really supportive but I am now wondering how long she will want to continue representing me with the constant "no" phone calls she receives. I feel so bloody down in the dumps it's unbelievable. If anyone has any nuggets/gems of advice please post or PM me, they will be VERY greatly received. JB

[add comments | all topics]

1 2 Next

	Reply #1
Posted : 03/07/10
tamster 145 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	OK at some point we have all been there. You are not doing anything wrong ... That is the nature of this business. On the positive you are being seen, you are getting through the door and you have a supportive agent. Why not go on a refresher course! go on a casting workshop, refresh old skills and then have a meeting with you agent to discuss what it is your feeling. She may have had feedback from your auditions, most probably it's just type not your skills, don't give up! Take a break if you have to but persistence is the name of this game, follow up your meets with casting with a thank you or hit them with this is what I am up msg to so then they don't forget you. I hope this helps don't feel down you will find them goals once more your just having a run of bad luck but that can only change x

Reply #1

Posted : 03/07/10

tamster
145 posts
last on: 07/02/12
send private reply

OK at some point we have all been there.
You are not doing anything wrong ...
That is the nature of this business.
On the positive you are being seen, you are getting through the door and you have a supportive agent.
Why not go on a refresher course! go on a casting workshop, refresh old skills and then have a meeting with you agent to discuss what it is your feeling. She may have had feedback from your auditions, most probably it's just type not your skills, don't give up! Take a break if you have to but persistence is the name of this game, follow up your meets with casting with a thank you or hit them with this is what I am up msg to so then they don't forget you. I hope this helps don't feel down you will find them goals once more your just having a run of bad luck but that can only change x

	Reply #2
Posted : 03/07/10
Fuzz 628 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Chill out for a while. Don't make any rushed decisions. Focus on other things - the simple things which make your life feel fulfilled. It will all come together in time, like a jigsaw; You'll see.

	Reply #3
Posted : 04/07/10
Isabella.Nash 28 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Its not strictly acting related but I was once given this one piece of advise and it usually gets me through when I'm having a tough time: Listen to your heart, follow your dreams and always wish on stars. Its a bit corny but it never fails to make me feel better.

	Reply #4
Posted : 04/07/10
clairedodin 425 posts last on: 1 hour send private reply	John, I think it's because you have been in the business for a long time and you need to find your freshness again, your love of acting again and work on your auditions skills. I wish I knew a good audition class in London, I was totally unable to find one; there are plenty in LA. Watch out for American coaches when they do seminars in London; it will change the way you look at things and make you move forward again. Waiting for things to get better, the economy is hard, there are not many jobs, you're having bad luck... are just ways to make sure you will not get anywhere. Success belongs to those who take action. I strongly believe that, even if the action results in failure; failure is a better result than nothing because you can learn from it. Very successful people endure many failures, it is part of the path to success. Any result, good or bad, is good because it allows you to move forward; if you wait, you will stand still. You said it yourself: casting directors don't call you back. So even though you are an excellent actor, you are not excellent at auditioning. Casting directors always call back the actors they love. And don't be upset, you are not the only one, it really is a skill in itself. The good news is that it's rather easy to learn with the right coach. You're already doing the right thing, you are acknowledging that you need to take action. One of the main things a coach will give you, is your love of acting back. Without it, you can't achieve anything. Don't give up, you are obviously good, just find yourself again and in 6 months you'll laugh about this when you are a regular on a Tv show... :-) ps: buy Margie Haber's book: "how to get the part without falling apart" http://margiehaber-px.rtrk.com/home/

Reply #4

Posted : 04/07/10

clairedodin
425 posts
last on: 1 hour
send private reply

John,

I think it's because you have been in the business for a long time and you need to find your freshness again, your love of acting again and work on your auditions skills.
I wish I knew a good audition class in London, I was totally unable to find one; there are plenty in LA. Watch out for American coaches when they do seminars in London; it will change the way you look at things and make you move forward again.

Waiting for things to get better, the economy is hard, there are not many jobs, you're having bad luck... are just ways to make sure you will not get anywhere.

Success belongs to those who take action. I strongly believe that, even if the action results in failure; failure is a better result than nothing because you can learn from it. Very successful people endure many failures, it is part of the path to success. Any result, good or bad, is good because it allows you to move forward; if you wait, you will stand still.

You said it yourself: casting directors don't call you back. So even though you are an excellent actor, you are not excellent at auditioning. Casting directors always call back the actors they love. And don't be upset, you are not the only one, it really is a skill in itself.
The good news is that it's rather easy to learn with the right coach.
You're already doing the right thing, you are acknowledging that you need to take action.
One of the main things a coach will give you, is your love of acting back. Without it, you can't achieve anything.
Don't give up, you are obviously good, just find yourself again and in 6 months you'll laugh about this when you are a regular on a Tv show... :-)

ps: buy Margie Haber's book: "how to get the part without falling apart"
http://margiehaber-px.rtrk.com/home/

	Reply #5
Posted : 05/07/10
amandaj 226 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	I just watching your reel, and was very impressed. Look, don't give up on this.I agree with the others' suggestions - get reinspired, take some a little time out and do something else if necessary that will give another perspective on things and re-energize you.You are doing your best, getting good castings.Everybody hits times like this.Possibly, mounting your own project might give you a boost.It's so frustrating, I know - but find a way to change your perspective and enjoy something you do creatively - and the rest will follow.

Reply #5

Posted : 05/07/10

amandaj
226 posts
last on: 07/02/12
send private reply

I just watching your reel, and was very impressed. Look, don't give up on this.I agree with the others' suggestions - get reinspired, take some a little time out and do something else if necessary that will give another perspective on things and re-energize you.You are doing your best, getting good castings.Everybody hits times like this.Possibly, mounting your own project might give you a boost.It's so frustrating, I know - but find a way to change your perspective and enjoy something you do creatively - and the rest will follow.

	Reply #6
Posted : 05/07/10
Nigel.Peever 344 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	I couldn't help but notice there's only one Theatre job on your CV. Do you restrict your jobsearch to TV and short term but well paid jobs? In which case much of the year is bound to be downtime unless you're a regular on a soap? and one year is going to always be very different from another? so this year might be crap but next year might be the best ever. That's the compulsive gambler in us all :-) Having watched your showreel I think you've had a good bite at the apple and have no reason to worry that there won't be any more work in the future. You might be a little type cast as a bullying brutish dad, but nearly all the actors that get regular work are type cast aren't they? :-)

Reply #6

Posted : 05/07/10

Nigel.Peever
344 posts
last on: 07/02/12
send private reply

I couldn't help but notice there's only one Theatre job on your CV. Do you restrict your jobsearch to TV and short term but well paid jobs? In which case much of the year is bound to be downtime unless you're a regular on a soap? and one year is going to always be very different from another? so this year might be crap but next year might be the best ever. That's the compulsive gambler in us all :-) Having watched your showreel I think you've had a good bite at the apple and have no reason to worry that there won't be any more work in the future. You might be a little type cast as a bullying brutish dad, but nearly all the actors that get regular work are type cast aren't they? :-)

	Reply #7
Posted : 05/07/10
emilylockwood 228 posts last on: 6 hours send private reply	I agree with all the comments made. It's horrible when you start losing faith... but something will be waiting round the corner, it always is - that's this industry. These down periods are terrible to deal with, but it just takes one thing to perk you up out of it, although I appreciate waiting is horrible. I certainly wouldn't think of giving up yet, you have a fab CV and you're getting the auditions - the time to worry is when you're not!

Reply #7

Posted : 05/07/10

emilylockwood
228 posts
last on: 6 hours
send private reply

I agree with all the comments made. It's horrible when you start losing faith... but something will be waiting round the corner, it always is - that's this industry. These down periods are terrible to deal with, but it just takes one thing to perk you up out of it, although I appreciate waiting is horrible. I certainly wouldn't think of giving up yet, you have a fab CV and you're getting the auditions - the time to worry is when you're not!

	Reply #8
Posted : 05/07/10
John Burton 76 posts last on: 19/01/12 send private reply	I just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you who have posted inspirational thoughts and those who have PM'd me. It is gratifying and humbling to know that people actually take time out from their busy personal lives to write something that I can read and take strength from. I think the general consensus is not to give up, maybe take some time out and almost go back to grass roots to get the love back. My sincere thanks to Blake, Tracey, Nigel, Amanda, Claire, Isabella, Lorraine, Fuzz and Tamster. I have taken some real great things from your comments including deleting dates from Spotlight, buying a couple of inspirational books and researching some potential networking opportunities and courses. To all of you, thanks again, watch this space and maybe, just maybe, I can post some good news over the next few months? JB x

Reply #8

Posted : 05/07/10

John Burton
76 posts
last on: 19/01/12
send private reply

I just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you who have posted inspirational thoughts and those who have PM'd me.

It is gratifying and humbling to know that people actually take time out from their busy personal lives to write something that I can read and take strength from.

I think the general consensus is not to give up, maybe take some time out and almost go back to grass roots to get the love back.

My sincere thanks to Blake, Tracey, Nigel, Amanda, Claire, Isabella, Lorraine, Fuzz and Tamster. I have taken some real great things from your comments including deleting dates from Spotlight, buying a couple of inspirational books and researching some potential networking opportunities and courses.

To all of you, thanks again, watch this space and maybe, just maybe, I can post some good news over the next few months?

JB x

	Reply #9
Posted : 06/07/10
Des.Brittain 109 posts last on: 05/02/12 send private reply	Blimey, at least you are getting seen at auditions for TV work. My agent has not put me up for anything in nearly a year!! Any work I've had has been found by me. Time for me to look for a new agent. Is yours taking on anybody???

	Reply #10
Posted : 06/07/10
Alanbrent 1826 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Often it is a good idea to get back into the 'real' world for a short time, John. You lose nothing if the impetus of your career has taken a bit of a stall. Take some 'time out' and re evaluate. The life experience will set you back up for maybe a more 'commercial view' of your talents. It will also make you realise that once you have the 'drug' of performance is one you can never really wean yourself off!!! Whatever you decide remember that the time you spend away from the job is never badly spent. Good luck in your decision and don't worry about rejection. For every ten rejections there is a new acceptance coming!!!

Reply #10

Posted : 06/07/10

Alanbrent
1826 posts
last on: 07/02/12
send private reply

Often it is a good idea to get back into the 'real' world for a short time, John. You lose nothing if the impetus of your career has taken a bit of a stall.
Take some 'time out' and re evaluate. The life experience will set you back up for maybe a more 'commercial view' of your talents. It will also make you realise that once you have the 'drug' of performance is one you can never really wean yourself off!!!
Whatever you decide remember that the time you spend away from the job is never badly spent.
Good luck in your decision and don't worry about rejection. For every ten rejections there is a new acceptance coming!!!

[add comments | all topics]

1 2 Next

Please note: Messages written in the forum do not represent the views of Casting Call Pro, nor have they been vetted by Casting Call Pro staff. If you read something which you believe to be offensive or defamatory, please contact us and we will take the appropriate action.