Anything Goes : Responds from casting directors before you exit out of an audition by Matt Jablonski

You'll be surprised to hear that many people respond better to something positive than something negative. CD's (and producers and directors) tend to say things like, "Very good." and "Well done." rather than say, "Sorry, that was terrible." It isn't always lying - although sometimes it is - it's a more pleasant way to end an audition. Some actors can be quite emotional.

but i mean if there lying how do you know your geting better? i mean they should just say the truth honestly... so if they say well done and very good then no callback? lol

It's Hollywood. The book titled "Good morning, I lied" says it all. Nobody in Hollywood EVER says anything isn't "very good."

Definately wanna take a look at that book it will help me understand the business better

I agree, Matt, they should just say the truth honestly. But they don't. When they do many actors are hurt and many ask what can they do better. The job of the CD is to find the right cast not to help actors get better. If an actor wants constructive criticism of their acting they need to take acting classes. CD's have to see a LOT of actors. They just don't have the time to coach each actor they don't hire. Nor is that their job.

True Marcus...I have a small videography biz. and I write short scripts there are times when I have spent up to 6 hours or more just coaching an amateur actress/actor on taking out what my camera is picking up. It is very time consuming and know one wants to hear they are not good.. but sometimes. Good Luck to you D. Marcus.

Hey Matt... Just the other day, at an audition, the Director/auditor gave me the wink and gun finger and said he would be in touch. When he got in touch it was to tell me that he gave the part to someone else. So if you were good, then he was acknowledging that... but we know that its also about cast composition. One good actor doesn't make the movie... so it may have been a matter of chemistry. Being too good is thing in our world.

Matt, congrats and good job on the call back. That is great and good to hear. Per your concerns about casting auditions, casting people, producers, directors etc... perhaps I can shed some light on it. These types of people are all very busy people, sometimes we have time to call back all the actors to thank them for coming and tell them why we did not pick them and sometimes we don't. When you are not picked it is never because of talent (lack of) it is because we simply picked someone else. Period. And we did so for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with your talent or you in general. Actors often think if they are not getting picked they are not talented or they are being "let on" or other reasons - the reasons vary greatly. Some have to do with things like time, height, etc., etc., The best thing to do is to treat every "Audition" as a "Performance". Like an opening night performance of a show that you are cast in that only has one show date performance. Do your "performance" then go out and celebrate what a great "show performance" you did and then move onto the next "show performance." Actors who do that tend to book more jobs because they aren't worried and stressed and coming across upset which can hinder your performance. Hope this helps.

@Egypt Great comment! Something starkly inspirational about the one-night only show that ends in no applause. lol Liked it.

well i still didnt get the message for the call back soooo i dont know. But i got an audition anyway soooo even if i dont get it i still have an audition. A casting director to call to tell you you didnt get the part. I mean at least they have the deceny to call and say that, but that would make me preety upset. @Egypt i really like what you said and I definately will keep going giving them a performance of a lifetime!!!

Hey Matt we have a REALLLLLLY good webinar coming up on The Actors Image, all about how you are perceived by others and what you can do to make a better impression that I think will be SUPER beneficial to you. You could be doing a great job just auditioning for the wrong role for your image, thus not getting the part. Keep your eye on the webinar section because I think this one will be REALLY helpful for you!