Leave it in the Room
My philosophy with auditioning has always been "Do the best I can with what I have to work with and let it go". And that has worked for me. There are always all these factors that go into casting. So many that we have no control over. I am a redhead. Will be until the day I die. I have gotten roles because I am a ginger. I have lost roles because I am a ginger. I have no control over that.
I do, however, have control over my attitude.
If I go into the casting room and do my personal best...I am happy. Getting the part would be a total bonus.
The only time I get REALLY annoyed is if I mess up something I have control over. If I am not properly prepared or if I get in my head. Those times, yes, I feel the frustration. Luckily, those times are few and far between these days.
Granted, most of my auditions are for things like local and regional companies. A lot of commercials and indie film. I mean, I DO live in Portland, Oregon- the capital of indie film. Sure, we do have three - count 'em THREE - TV shows currently filming here but I don't even get nervous for those. The casting is by the same casting directors I see all the time. No jitters there!
So I asked mt Twitter friend and fellow actress Jen Ponton for HER advice. This girl lives in NYC and has the opportunity to audition for, ya know, BIG stuff.
Here is her gem:
"As soon as you leave that room, what's done is done. For better or worse! I love the quote: 'There are 2 things in life to not worry about: Things that can be changed, and things that can't. Things that can be changed should be fixed as soon as possible. Things that can't aren't worth worrying about.' That's what happens after your audition--trust that the LEAST that you got out of it was experience and an acting workout, and the most you got out of it was a rabid fan base and a potential job. If you're worried you didn't do a great job, just use that fire to inspire your following actions--send a great thank-you card, sign up for a workshop with that CD to hone your performance, or use it as an excuse to take yourself for ice cream.
And, as an actor? Trust that what you did was the best, most authentic and honest performance you could have done in that moment. Wherever you start from IS the 'right' place--there is no alternative!"
Couldn't have said it better myself Jen!
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