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GRRRRR! I
DIDN'T GET IT!
by Bob Fraser,
Actor, writer, producer, director, and writer
(see bio at end of article)
As I've mentioned in the past, one of the worst parts of being a professional
actor is the amazing amount of rejection one must endure, to become successful.
There are many "hard parts" to having a paying acting career - but
rejection is the hardest.
Some tips for handling the inevitable rejection you will have to face - and get
by - as you ply your trade:
G. GET OVER IT. This is a primary 'skill' you must learn to develop. How do you
do it? Here are some 'skill-sets' that help
R. REACT REASONABLY. When you have discovered that they "went another
way" do you wail and thrash about? Do you fall limply onto the couch
vowing to give it up? Do you' get angry at the casting director who obviously
failed to see talent when it was right in front of her? Or do you go back and
look at your own work to see that it was carefully prepared? Did you arrive on
time? Did you present a confident audition? Did you make good personal contact
with the casting director? If you did your part properly - then you should
thank the stars for this rejection and move on to the next step.
R. RELEASE. You don't have to repress your reaction. In fact, after you have
screamed and wailed and cried and finished off a quart of Cherry Garcia, you
can then move on and prepare for your next audition. You will have to discover
the best way to 'let it go' for yourself - but let it go you must. Talk it out
with another actor, go to the gym, read a book, listen to some music ... do what
you can to put it behind you. Because holding on to rejection is a very bad
plan in our business.
R. RESIST. Don't fall prey to the temptation to stay in that place where you
feel awful about not "getting it." Once you've allowed yourself to go
through the emotions of being rejected and decided to 'let it go' it's critical
to move past the the letdown, and see what you can do to increase your odds of
acceptance the next time around. Talk to your coach or teacher. Even if your
work doesn't need anything more, it's always good to have the support of
someone who understands the acting life to help you get over the bumps of
rejection.
R. RE-CAP. Take a look at how far you've come. Going over your list of past
successes can help soften the blows of rejection. If you don't have a list of
your past victories, it's time to make one. Also, after a reasonable time,
revisit the audition you gave and see if, 'in the cold light of day' there is
anything you can do to improve your own skills. Perhaps you need to go back to
a cold reading class - or spend a few weeks with a coach working on your improv
"chops." Or maybe it's all about your nerves and being in a good
place - in which case it might be worth doing some exercises designed to calm
you down in moments of stress.
R. REPEAT. In our business it is the actor who can get past the rejection and
'get back up on the horse' who has the best chance at success. So, it is of the
greatest importance that you go to another audition as soon as you can. Even if
another audition is for something you don't want - just going and giving it your
best shot can help you progress in your career.
R. RESILIENT. Only those who can get past the sort of rejection that is part of
every actor's daily work life, have any hope of eventual success. Keep in mind the
long valued advice of McGuffey's Reader:
"If at first you don't succeed, try try again."
Much
success,
Bob Fraser
=============================
You Must
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Bob Fraser Productions 3727 W. Magnolia Blvd. #180 Burbank, CA 91505, USA
Official biography: Writer,
producer, director and actor with a five-page resume of credits in
Hollywood, Broadway, broadcasting and theatre, Bob Fraser has written,
produced, directed, and/or appeared in hundreds of television episodes
and more than 130 stage productions � not to mention several feature
films. On the New York stage, Bob appeared as Snoopy in the original Off-B'way hit, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, starred as Lady Chatterly's Lover, and received rave reviews for his role in The March March.
With his wife, Bev Wiest, he hosted a morning drive-time radio show,
starred in an afternoon TV show, and together they have owned 4
legitimate theatres. (Bob and Bev recently celebrated their 37th anniversary.) After moving to California in 1977, Bob became an early member of The Groundlings
and in 1978 he began writing for television. In 1980 he started six
years as writer/producer "show runner" on the long-running TV classic, Benson. While doing Benson, Bob also co-authored two produced plays: Frozen Stiff and After All These Years.B ob has been supervising producer and/or writer on such series as Full House, The Love Boat, Harry & The Hendersons, Condo, Phyl & Mikhy, Hamburger Tech, Mr. Mrs. & Mr., Normal Life, The Dictator, The Library and a bunch of others. In the late eighties, while under contract to Paramount, Bob co-created, wrote, produced and starred in his own NBC series, Marblehead Manor, co-starring Michael Richards. While doing Marblehead, Bob also co-created the popular game show, Wipeout. A
member of WGA, DGA, SAG, AFTRA, Actor's Equity & The American
Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences (Ret.), Bob has been
nominated twice for NAACP's Image Award, received Emmy recognition for Benson,
has authored 17 plays and musicals, not to mention three books. He is
also an expert on vaudeville and the melodramas of the 1890's. Bob�s latest project is You Must Act!
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