Q: I'm so depressed! Every time I go to an audition and don't get the part I feel so rejected I want to cry. I've never been good with rejection.can I make it in show business?
A: You are very smart to be tackling the issue of rejection head-on, since it is a very real part of the casting process. We believe there is absolutely no reason to feel "rejected" when you don't get a part. There are three main things we'd like you to think about next time you find out you didn't get the part:
1. Casting directors may look at thousands of faces or view dozens of auditions before making a selection. It's a natural function of the numbers that you're going to hear "no" more often than you hear "yes." In baseball, nobody gets a hit 100% of the time. If you get on base 4 times out of 10, you'd be in the Hall of Fame! That still means that you fail 6 out of 10 times.which means you "fail" a majority of the time. It's just a natural part of the process.
2. For a casting director, casting a part is about finding a match between the performer and his or her own subjective idea of the character. It is not a referendum on the worth or talent of the auditioner. Our most talented superstar actors audition for parts that they don't get all the time but it's not because they're not talented. It's just because it's not a fit between the actor and the part. Instead of being mad at the casting director who said "no," just tell yourself "Too bad. It's their loss!"
3. Spending too much energy fearing rejection can cause you to audition poorly. If you're terrified of a "no" the casting director can often sense your desperation, and that's not a good thing! You should project an air of confidence and determination. You are who you are. If you happen to be a fit for this part, then great! If not, then so be it. There are plenty more auditions out there. You've already demonstrated enormous courage and talent by getting the audition. If you don't get this one, there's always the next one.
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