Vox Daily

How many auditions does the average actor perform to nail a single job?

How many times do you "put yourself out there", and see nothing come of it?

Good question. Obviously the answer varies, depending on so many factors, which would be difficult to quantify into a solid statistic.

It is the question as well as the answer that makes me wonder.

In general, it would be safe to assume that you are in the majority if you take the risk of performing on any level, you run a risk of not booking the job more often than not;

Risk of failure. Risk of rejection, Risk of "de-selection".

Think about the Oscars. So many actors auditioned for the films and just so many got the job. Only so many many films or actors were nominated, and just a few select won the "golden ticket".

It's a Hard Knock Life

Being in this business is like the supreme roller coaster ride of your life. If you wanna ride, better strap yourself in. You may have exhilarating highs one week or one day, and have all the air let out of your balloon the next.

In voice-over acting, we are at a grander disadvantage. At least on a film or video shoot, you're interacting with other human beings. Not so in voiceover, unless you enjoy the rare occasion where you're booked into a studio for a double or an ensemble gig. Even so, many times you end up perhaps with just the director, and or the engineer to record the session.

"Isolation" is Not Just about the Booth

So most of the time, we work in a very isolated environment, and take our daily risks. We operate in a vacuum, and in so doing, we risk it all. We spill out our best, (we think), and can still fall flat on our face.

Working through this "art" of the process is challenging at times. It can be quite painful, to risk and lose, as it can be incredibly heady in getting the recognition or landing a gig.

Take Charge and Weather the Storm

When we suffer losses, we must train ourselves to place them into perspective. You do this any way you can. But it helps to have practical training and experience to weather them.

Where we can get into trouble is when we allow our emotions and ego to take off on a self-absorbed “pity party". Many of us do this because we are actors, we are competitive, and have innate and trained sensitivity, combined with a healthy ego.

For those who can't get this aspect of it, simply give up.

That's when it's time for a break from the business. Really, take a break! Keep doing things you love and surround yourself with people who love you, and get back in touch with what truly matters.

It's all Subjective, Don't Take it Personally

Know it's not your fault that you've been rejected, ignored, dissed, overlooked, under-appreciated, low-rated, or the latest industry buzzword, "de-selected".

Don't let this stop you.

It's OK to take the risk, while giving permission to others not to hire you for whatever reason that is not in your control. All you can do is control your own performance and spill it out there.

And next time, take the risk and get comfortable with the uncomfortable.

All the Best,

Bobbin Beam

©iStockphoto.com/Aleksandar Kolundzija