I recently received a CMail invitation to audition for two day-player roles in a film. One was a single line of dialogue, the other included a full page of text.
The single-line character was an easy yes. Despite the brevity, the line revealed everything I needed to know: this was an abusive high school professional. I understood him immediately. He masks his threat with a disingenuous smile, delivering it just within earshot of the student’s parents. There was depth, intent, and subtext—all in that one line.
The second role, however, was more complicated. It involved a doctor assessing a critically ill patient. But the dialogue felt flat—just words on a page. There was no clear character, no hint at how this doctor operates or what drives him. I initially agreed to self-tape, but after sitting with the material, I realized I couldn’t approach it truthfully. I ultimately wrote back to the casting director to explain why I needed to step away from the audition.
So I ask you:
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation?
If so, how did you handle it?
Looking forward to hearing your experiences and insights.
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I’ll off a couple of perspectives: owning a taping service for over 15 years, we see waaaaaay too much fear in the everyday actor. So many sources of that fear, but related to this post is the fear to say no. Especially if the audition has come from their agent. It’s sad, really.
Personally, I scrutinize every audition from my agent before accepting or declining. I ask myself first if it’s going to be artistically fulfilling. If not, then the decision is based on things like (a) do I need to make insurance, (b) is it recurring or possibly recurring, (c) is there a director or celebrity involved that sweetens the deal, and (d) has it just been too long since I’ve been on set and I’m aching to get back.
But to your point, Matthew, I will also turn down a role if it’s not a part of humanity that I feel I’m called to portray. For example, I turned down a pastor audition for a high profile project because he needed to be in a full flop sweat, screaming to the congregation. It was a tent revival, and people were hollering and dancing, being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Now, I’m a calm, nonchalant presence. To inhabit that role truthfully, it would’ve taken more prep time than was given by casting, and even if I managed to book it, it would have been the most taxing experience on set to have to do that over and over for 8-12 hours.
Whereas some other actor who naturally exudes that energy could inhabit that role in their sleep. They can go all day and still have more in the tank. That person SHOULD book that role.
Turning down roles for that reason takes a high degree of self awareness. You have to do the deep work of discovering how Casting (and by extension the audience and the rest of the world) TRULY SEES YOU. The vast majority of actors (and humans in general) have a warped sense of how they show up in the world. I see this every day when I’m taping actors. So it’s not trivial. But once an actor can be fully objective about their essence and what you might call your “signature performance”, they can make high level, educated decisions about roles to decline (and on the flip side roles they were meant to play).
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I appreciate your question Matthew Gross. I have had this situation where I have submitted for an audition and received the sides and the character didn't resonate with me. I just didn't submit. It has never occurred to me, to email the director and explain this isn't right for me. I figure they have so many submissions they won't even notice who doesn't follow up.
Now, if I schedule an in person audition, and I have misgivings, I still do it. I don't purposely tank it, I figure if I get offered the role, I can discuss it with the director before accepting. Or turn it down.
I also, really appreciate Matthew Cornwell's response. It's ok to say No. Don't be afraid to say no. If the role isn't right for you, it isn't right for you. I think the director will appreciate your honesty more than you trying to be something you're not and delivering a less than authentic performance. That would do more harm to your reputation as an actor, than you declining the role. Kudos to you.