One of the most challenging things actors go through is dealing with rejection. Rejection comes in many forms, from auditions to interviews to callbacks, to acting school. This post will cover how to handle rejection in these situations and what you can do when it happens.
How you deal with it is crucial. Dipping your shoulders down and getting angry will do absolutely nothing for you, and those are the worst kinds of feelings for an actor to experience. So what should you do?
Be Realistic
You need to be honest with yourself for a minute. How many actors are you competing against in your town or state? There are a lot of people out there that are unique and talented in their own right. That does mean you give up on your acting dream? Absolutely not!
You will also need to be practical about the number of jobs that you can take. As much as you’d want to take up all the exciting roles, you don’t want to spread yourself too thin.
Rejection is Normal
As they say, nothing ever comes easy. The same is true if you’re set for a successful career in the arts. Rejection is part and parcel of the process of becoming a great actor. Even the best in the game still get rejected for the highly coveted spots. It’s understandable to be upset, but that shouldn’t be the reason that you’re giving up on the vocation entirely. Sometimes the rejection could be a blessing in disguise. You just need to keep on pushing to unlock true potential.
Understanding Why
You might not have been fit for the desired role, but an important question you should be asking is why? It could be something that you do during the auditions that don’t work in your favor. There are some mistakes that you frequently make that could make a difference in your acting career. Such experiences shouldn’t be thought of as failures but as opportunities to improve and grow.
Acting careers have been glorified in mainstream publications and social media, but what a lot of people fail to realize is that the competition is ruthless now more than ever. You should be thankful for the feedback provided during auditions as it provides the constructive criticism needed to grow as an actor.
It’s Never Personal
We’ve all been rejected at some point in our lives. When it comes to matters professional, it’s never personal for the most part. It can feel frustrating, but the sooner you get over it, the better. The rejection should act as a motivation to improve the craft.
Society has a way of filtering what goes on behind the scenes. You’ll only see the successes but not the numerous rejections and failures. Embrace the rejection as it’s part of the journey. You can convert the rejection as a motivation and as a stepping stone to something greater.
Talk About It
Dealing with rejection can be challenging but talking about it might make you feel a lot better. Regardless of where you live, there is a supportive community of like-minded people who are always willing to listen and share their experiences. As an actor, rejection should be one of the deadliest weapons in your arsenal. It encourages you to step out of your comfort zone. Talking about it is therapeutic and will be a weight lifted off your shoulders.
You Can Be Philosophical
The decision to cast is entirely up to the people that are carrying out the auditions. It doesn’t matter how good you are; rejection isn’t something you’ll have control over. The role might be very specific to the requirements. Under such circumstances, it’s perfectly normal to be philosophical.
Chemistry is an important ingredient in any working relationship, and the same is true for acting. You might feel like you did everything that was required during the auditions but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you qualify for the role.
Building Resilience
With technological advancements and increased competition, developing grit and determination has become more important. Sometimes the difference in success between success and failure lies in the ability to not give up despite the insurmountable challenges that you face as an actor. Being turned down for a role happens to a lot of people, and more frequently than you think. You shouldn’t wallow in self-pity when you can be out there working on your craft and looking for more opportunities.
Re-examine Your Approach
If you keep missing out on roles, there is a high chance that you could be the problem. What are your core competencies when it comes to acting? Are you applying for roles that play to your strengths? It’s a lot easier to feel resentful without looking at the bigger picture. Don’t be afraid to ask for an honest evaluation. It can help in uncovering the missing piece to the puzzle.
You need to evaluate the situation from all possible angles. If you did not get the role, do not immediately assume that it is because the employer didn’t want to hire you. Be honest with yourself and search your heart over this matter.
Manage Expectations
When you’re just starting, you might have dreams of conquering the acting world. Reality quickly dawns that it’s not going to be as easy as you’d imagined. It’s vital that you manage expectations lest you get disappointed. You have to start from somewhere before getting the lucky break. As long as you’re consistent with your efforts, it will only be a matter of time before you breakthrough. In the meantime, manage expectations. Accept that there are going to be challenges along the way.
To sum it up, having a positive mindset will come in handy if you’re to be a successful actor. Just because you got turned down doesn’t mean that you’re not good at what you do. Continue working on yourself and be open to growth. For more information on becoming a successful actor, you can check out https://actorsgrouporlando.com/
The Actor’s Group Orlando
2910 Maguire Rd #2011a
Ocoee FL 34761
(321) 445-9988
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