{"id":471,"date":"2015-09-21T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-21T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dearingstudio.com\/?p=471"},"modified":"2022-07-05T11:24:40","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T18:24:40","slug":"casting-calls-can-be-scary-how-to-get-over-a-bad-audition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dearingstudio.com\/casting-calls-can-be-scary-how-to-get-over-a-bad-audition\/","title":{"rendered":"Casting Calls Can Be Scary \u2013 How To Get Over A Bad Audition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Casting Calls \u2013 How To Get Over A Bad Audition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

I\u2019m sorry you are here, sort of. You\u2019re reading this (I assume)  because you\u2019ve been to one of those casting calls and now you want to figure out how to get over a bad audition. Before I lay out exactly what to do after the big bowl of ice cream. Let me tell you, I feel your pain! In this article we will discuss what to do if things don\u2019t go right in an audition so that no matter what you are able to keep the dream alive.<\/p>\n\n\n

Am I Pretty Enough for Casting Calls on TV?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

If you have ever asked yourself whether or not you are pretty enough to be on TV, let me answer that question right away from experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the year I had begun my transition to commercials\/television from classical theater<\/a>. Early in my career I wasn\u2019t entirely sure that I was capable of doing any form of on-camera work. I had no confidence, I was afraid of casting calls and didn\u2019t think I was pretty enough. That\u2019s the truth. To say I was a head case is an understatement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Married Couple Matthew Dearing and Leeann Dearing sitting together after they auditioned in Phoenix AZ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This pic is of me by the way doing what made me comfortable at the time. Theater! Next to me is a man that always thought I was pretty. \ud83d\ude42 Shoot, now I\u2019m blushing.<\/p>\n\n\n

The Casting that Would Be My \u201cBIG\u201d Break \u2013 Or So I Thought<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

It was my very first casting call for a television show. Which would be stressful enough as it is, but I was particularly<\/em> neurotic on this given day. My character was for a long-forgotten series called \u201cHidden Palms<\/a>\u201c. (Any Arizona actor from the early 2000\u2019s is nodding their head. Remember that one?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a small acting market, anytime big casting calls come through, everyone knows about it. I\u2019m talking the once every couple of years actual real-live nationwide television show type gig. The truth is, local actors get excited for these big auditions. And let\u2019s just say, I was no different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was more desperate than my character from the viral video \u201cLook what Joanna made us do\u201d<\/a>. Yes \u2013 that was a shameless plug for my sketch with Michelle Fortin<\/a>. However, I also want to remind you at this point in the story not to give up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust me, there is light at the end of the tunnel. If you keep at this acting thing, eventually you won\u2019t have to worry about bad casting calls. Because you will simple cast yourself. Which is great advice directly from my husband, Matthew Dearing\u2019s book, \u201cActing is My Day Job Seven Strategies to Market and Make Money as an Actor\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seriously read that book if you want to make acting a career. OK. Now back to the story.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cOne of the Best Acting Books of All Time\u201d \u2013 Book Authority. Designed to help actors of all types and skill levels take their career to the next level. \u201cThe brutal truth \u2013 talent, good looks and desire aren\u2019t enough. You must develop strategies to monetize doing what you LOVE. Every actor should read and re-read this book.\u201d ~ Jeremy A. Lopez \u2013 Pesident & Founder, Vangelis Films<\/p>\n\n\n

Young Actor, Poorly Styled, Seeking Validation. What could go wrong?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Somehow, despite my odd choice of clothing and bundle of nerves, somehow managed to make an interesting choice and got a callback. I still remember every detail that phone call from my agent. I was absolutely elated and terrified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***Side note: Be careful what you say after an auction or acting job. Find out why you should never badmouth any acting jobs!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My agent at the time was Matt Engelhart, the beloved talent scout from FordRBA<\/a> in Scottsdale Arizona. Sure, he told me I got the callback but there was more. My agent says, \u201cThe casting director at the audition said you dressed all wrong for the audition. Wear something else.\u201d This was of course kind. He wanted me to land the acting gig. However I was insecure. I got a callback for a national TV show and all I could think of was, \u201cHow do I get over a bad audition?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

A Good Casting Call Turned Into A Mental Breakdown<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

I had absolutely no concept of how to pull myself together. Nothing was working. Suddenly I hated everything in my closet. The character I was auditioning for was supposed to be a \u201ctrophy wife\u201d type. You know the kind. Too much makeup, tight pants, big\u2026earrings<\/em>. That sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What did I wear? A gray business suit! What was I going for? Are you kidding me? I have no idea. (*Face palm.) I spent so much time worrying about what to wear and stopped working on the actual script. Duh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t you wish I could tell you my sad outfit choice was the worst of it? Or my outrageous nerves. No, what I did was get over my obsession with how I looked by giving a horrible audition. Get this. I actually entered the room in character! <\/strong>Why did I do this? I don\u2019t really know, but I did. I straight up panicked.<\/p>\n\n\n

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE HAVING A MELT DOWN?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n