What Happens to Your Submissions?
Air Date: May 19, 2022
It’s a typical comment that actors have. After all, actors take the time and work hard on their self-submit videos when they submit for a project only to never hear or receive any feedback whatsoever. It’s as if their audition goes into the data universe never to be heard from again. What happens to your submission? I will break it down for you in an effort to remove unhealthy speculation about your audition efforts going forward. Happening on this episode of Casting Actors Cast.
Sequence of events re a submission. The process of obtaining submissions from actors when a role is being sought.
1. Meetings with producers/artistic Directors/Directors about the characters needing to be cast.
2. A breakdown is written and posted with the description and role requirements to either a service or directly to agents/managers/public. Sides are included for talent.
3. Depending on the specifics, submissions are sent to casting by the talent who submits the digital video file link to the Casting Director (or team) involved in the project
4. The talent video is viewed, and a database is created to include pertinent information.
5. A scoring system based on the role requirements is included in the database.
6. The database is used by casting to select the talent for audition consideration.
7. Audition appointments/requests are made and confirmed with the talent or their reps with new or original audition materials.
8. Either Live, Zoom, Eco-cast auditions are scrutinized by casting and producer/director.
9. Callback appointments are given to selected talent and followed up with more auditiions.
10. Offers to talent for the role(s) are made and contracts issued.
Those actors who submit videos and do not receive acknowledgement or feedback often feel frustrated or rejected because there is no additional communication after the submission. Alleviate the consternation by remembering the following:
1. Casting is pressured to “find” the best fit for a role and does not have the time to recognize/acknowledge each submission.
2. There are many more video submissions being sent over past typical submissions (before the pandemic). The number of submissions is often overwhelming.
3. Expecting feedback on you audition is not the responsibility of the Casting Director. A professional understanding of this should relieve actors of frustration.
4. An audition is not an event. It is part of the job description.
5. It is advised to have a support system that can give you an honest appraisal of your work. (Classes, peers, consultants)
An audition should feel like an opportunity to perform. When you can lower your expectations about the potential outcome, you are adopting a healthy practice that keeps your focused on your work and not the results of each and every submission you make.