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VOICE ACTING Want To Book More Auditions? Rethink How You React To Frequent Rejection January 28, 2016  By J. Christopher DunnVoice Actor When you make the choice to become a voice actor or other freelancer, it’s easy to get blinded by the sheen of unicorns and the brilliance of rainbows when you hear that work is abundant, more than enough for everybody. It sounds positive and rejection-free. All you do is open up a personal studio and start auditioning or sending out proposals. But rejection is ongoing for freelancers, and it happens in a batch of all new ways:
Instead learn how to make lemonade out of the lemons that come your way. YOU'RE IN GOOD COMPANY There is no one in the business of voice over, or other freelance work for that matter, who has not been rejected. Let that sink in a moment. Risk is involved with your choice to freelance. You’ll be meeting new clients and taking on projects you never thought you would. The way to get what you want is to remember not to be afraid of the word "no." "I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection.” - Billy JoelCountless voice talents have gone before you, and had they given up, would not be where they wanted to be, where they saw themselves. The word "no" is part of the freelance equation. If "yes" was easy to get, everybody would be a freelancer. IT'S REALLY ABOUT THEM After submitting an audition to a client for consideration, you hear back from them that they’ve found the talent they were looking for – elsewhere. They’ll keep you in mind for future work. There are a number of things that could have had an effect on that talent seeker’s decision:
"If I went by all the rejection I’ve had in my career, I should have given up a long time ago.”Since you’re a pro at what you do, the audition you submitted was amazing. Just because they felt it wasn’t a good fit for what they were looking for, doesn’t mean it wouldn’t have worked for somebody else. Another way to look at it: just because a red car isn’t right for you, doesn’t mean it’s not right for somebody else looking for a car. Make sense? SO KEEP GOING "I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat.” - Sylvester StalloneWhy are some voice actors booking while others only hear about amazing projects?
It is a good idea to evaluate as you go and make adjustments as needed: Truthfully ask yourself why a high rate of "no" responses are coming your way. Be willing to make changes. Perseverance is a trait of successful freelancers of any type. PLEASE YOUR NEW CLIENTS There’s more to "yes" than landing a gig. What you do after receiving a job is to grow your client’s happiness. That’s what keeps them returning for more. "Sometimes I feel my whole life has been one big rejection.” - Marilyn MonroeKeep on top of communication with your new client:
Put yourself in the seat of the producer who listens to dozens of auditions, trying to find the sound that’ll match their project. It’s hard. "You get used to the rejection and you don’t take it personally.” - Daniel CraigMaking a choice is difficult when considering several equally talented people. And, nobody enjoys the process of telling everybody else they’ve made a decision that’s favoring another person. When you’ve been told another talent has been selected for the project, be gracious and thank the producer for their time. Remember, this isn’t about you. Most often you’ll not hear back when you’re not the one selected. And if you’re told they’ll keep you in mind for other projects, don’t consider it as lip service. I’ve had clients reach out to me for subsequent projects when I was the best fit. Have a thin skin? Make an effort to build one thicker and resilient. And, keep in mind, you can do everything right and still not get booked. Detach and move forward. WHAT TO REMEMBER ... Rejection is not about you. Many things will influence a person’s decision not to book you for the job. These are out of your control. You don’t have an exclusive membership to Club Rejection. Most everyone who freelances has heard "no." Make an effort to prevent rejection by existing clients. After being booked for a job, deliver on customer service and do what it takes to create a repeat client. ------------------------------------- ABOUT J. CHRISTOPER J. Christopher Dunn is a professional voice actor who lives in the Pacific Northwest close to Seattle. He voices commercials, web demos, podcasts, product demonstrations, telephony projects and documentaries. His voice is described as friendly, warm and trustworthy - the guy next door or the voice of high profile corporate presentations. He also spends time with the Penn Cove Players, a Whidbey Island, WA troupe that performs original audio dramas, as we all as recreates old time radio shows in front of a live studio audience. |
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Comments (4)
John Lesser
2/3/2016 at 9:06 AM
Chris's comments in his recent article truly resonated with me...still rejection is hard to take. Like any artist, rejection is personal. However, over the years I have learned one thing that helps me with rejection. Do your very best in the audition then forget it, move on. That would be my advice. At least it works for me.
J. Valentino
1/29/2016 at 5:24 PM
This is a really good, helpful, well written article. Print it out and put it in the sound booth.
BILL NEVITT
1/28/2016 at 3:24 PM
Thank you for the article, Christopher. Agree, it's selection, NOT rejection. Often times, we performing artists will do EVERYTHING correctly and not be rewarded for it; doesn't mean we should stop. Stopping guarantees failure.
Hugh
1/28/2016 at 3:13 PM
Excellent article, especially for a new talent like me. Thanks!
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