What’s worse than rejection as an actor? What’s worse than pondering you set in an awesome audition solely to be advised that you just’re not the one? Listening to nothing in any respect. You spend time on audition prep, you good your monologue or scene and break down the script, you ship in a self-tape or head into an in-person casting, solely to be met with whole radio silence. It’s been almost two weeks. What the hell occurred?! In the event you’re asking “Why haven’t I heard again about my audition?” then this text is for you.

It’s pretty frequent for actors to ask themselves “Why haven’t I heard again about my audition?” Most definitely, the rationale for that is associated to the casting crew not having decided but. They could be deliberating, and even working callbacks with actors (that also may go away you within the combine.) Nevertheless, not listening to again after an audition may also be as a consequence of human error or confusion, or just an indicator that you just didn’t land the half. Strive to not dwell: the perfect response to listening to nothing is to search for the subsequent alternative.

Earlier than we soar in, a fast private anecdote. After I train performing to younger folks and we run an audition workshop, I wish to comply with every audition piece by having my college students spin a wheel—lined with causes they won’t get the gig. “Nice take,” I’ll inform them after a spin! “Only a disgrace that the producer thinks you appear like that imply barista at their native café…” It’s a enjoyable, foolish approach to study a significant lesson: typically the gig gained’t come to you. Bear in mind this if you’re stressing out about listening to nothing; there are one million causes you might not hear again, however that by no means diminishes the actor you might be.

First of All: Chill out

Not a motive, however a rattling good reminder. The very first thing to do when you’ve heard nothing about your audition is to loosen up. Distract your self, throw your self into your day job, or a superb collection or baking sourdough bread. You might even need to learn over an inventory like this to remind your self that there are many causes on the market that you just’re but to listen to something.

And don’t overlook that listening to nothing is just not the identical as listening to “no”. In the event you’re feeling good in regards to the work you submitted, wager on your self and have some religion! However time spent dwelling and stressing is finally time wasted. Deal with the subsequent job, the subsequent aim to tick as an actor.

They’re Nonetheless Seeing Folks

The final indie present I produced obtained over 120 purposes. That’s 120 self-tapes—equalling virtually 5 hours of footage—alongside 120+ bios and headshots to learn and kind and consider. And provided that our casting crew consisted of myself, the author and the director, we needed to talk about and deliberate every alternative made as a crew.

So when you’re asking “why haven’t I heard again about my audition”, my first suggestion can be that they’re nonetheless wanting. Casting takes time. You may ship in a self-tape and suppose that it’s the tip of your course of, however for the manufacturing crew that’s when the actual work begins. Give them time, give them your endurance. You actually don’t need them to hurry!

They Haven’t Made a Resolution

Associated to the above: casting is a giant determination. There’s each probability the crew nonetheless hasn’t determined upon which actor/s they’re casting, which implies you need to wait it out as they make that remaining name. As with seeing folks, you actually don’t need them to hurry this determination, so preserve religion in your performing skills and belief that they’ll provide you with a good quantity of consideration.

One other issue within the casting sport is that every actor solid has to suit with the bigger ensemble. They could love what you’ve submitted, however have to ensure that you’re employed effectively alongside the opposite folks within the solid. This course of takes time, even when you’ve had a gold star subsequent to your identify from day one.

An Error With Your Submission

This motive is excessive on our listing as a result of it occurs extra typically than you may suppose. Typically you don’t hear again since you didn’t submit within the first place. Your video might have gone to the improper e mail tackle, or been a corrupted file. Your self-tape’s privateness settings could also be on, locking the crew out except they will guess your password.

That is much less of an element with an in-person audition, except you present up on the improper venue and browse for the improper casting (slim probability of this one, to be honest.)

In the event you’ve but to listen to something, verify to see you probably have affirmation that your utility was obtained. Usually, if actors fail to catch their very own errors, the casting crew gained’t hassle chasing them up if a hyperlink doesn’t work. Keep in mind that they’re reviewing probably tons of of submissions. Any individual who doesn’t hassle to verify their very own materials earlier than sending it typically paints themselves as not taking their work critically.

They Are Overwhelmed

A whole lot of submissions. Infinite selections. The necessity to solid the precise mixture of actors. The juggling of schedules for auditions and casting. And that’s to say nothing of time ticking away earlier than the mission begins… You possibly can just about wager that your manufacturing crew is feeling overwhelmed—and that’s on a superb day. If it’s a smaller or much less skilled crew, there’s a superb probability that this may have an effect on how rapidly it takes to answer to actors about their auditions.

In conditions comparable to these, you might or might not get a message indicating that the preliminary timeline has been blown all to hell. At this level: swallow your frustration and be supportive. Be the uncomplicated a part of the equation—it might bump you up the listing over an actor they love however begins to get shirty. Is that this an apology for a disorganised or overwhelmed crew? By no means! However stress will get to us all, and graciousness is all the time the perfect response.

You Didn’t Get the Job

A.Okay.A. “They’re impolite.”

I do know I led this text with a reminder that listening to nothing is completely different to listening to “no” … which continues to be, technically true. Sadly, there are a large number of folks casting in our business with little thought to telling the actors they didn’t solid about their determination. In some circles, it’s largely anticipated that this would be the case—particularly when you’re taking a look at a smaller half in a much bigger mission or a industrial. For smaller outfits, comparable to impartial theatre-makers or pupil movies, it’s fairly unforgivable.

In the event you hear completely nothing in any respect, and discover out later {that a} pal or colleague booked the position, my recommendation is to let it go. Does it damage? Is it impolite? Sure and sure. However there’ll all the time be alternatives sooner or later—except you go into that casting workplace with weapons blazing demanding solutions.

“Ought to I comply with up on my audition if I don’t hear again?”

As above: if it’s a much bigger, extra commercially viable position, then it’s in all probability one thing you need to ship on the market and overlook about. In the event you’re signed with an agent, that is the form of prodding they will do (or at the very least inform you they’ve accomplished in your behalf.) For smaller, impartial jobs, particularly you probably have an present relationship with these concerned? You can provide ’em a litlte nudge. A well mannered follow-up if sufficient time has handed.

However simply because you may comply with up doesn’t essentially imply you must. As you gained’t hear again about each gig, it’s necessary to develop a tolerance to lack of closure—being professionally ghosted, if you’ll.

Conclusion

Asking “why haven’t I heard again about my audition?” is a good and legitimate query. It’s one that each actor will ask sooner or later of their profession. Right here’s hoping this listing gives you some readability, and perhaps even some peace of thoughts, as you sit ready for that cellphone to ring.

The final piece of recommendation I’ll provide you with is definitely a recap of my first: loosen up. Belief in your skills, belief in your course of and remind your self that no missed alternative diminishes who you might be as an artist. Develop that resilience, be proud of that resilience, and begin seeking out that subsequent gig.

Good luck!