An Open Letter from Actors to the Casting Industry
The Issue
An open letter from Actors to the Casting Industry
Dear Casting Industry,
Firstly, thank you for the work that you do. Interactions with casting directors are incredibly positive and you make us feel welcomed and supported when we enter an audition room. You want the best from us to allow you to do your job well. However, often the process following a casting session has serious detrimental effects on the mental health of individuals within the acting community. Actors are often left for long periods of time without hearing a decision. In a lot of cases, we simply hear nothing at all. Actors put a lot of time and energy into preparing for an audition and this work should be valued and appreciated by the industry.
We would like to propose a minimum standard of practice across the casting industry to help manage the expectations of actors and protect their mental health.
The proposals are as follows:
- In the audition room commit to a timeframe in which actors will hear a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ about the audition.
- If this timeframe has to be extended, contact the actor/agent in the agreed timeframe and commit to a new timeframe.
- If you have chosen an actor but are waiting for them to sign a contract, let the other actors know they have been unsuccessful.
- If an actor is unsuccessful ensure that a ‘No’ decision is communicated in all instances.
- Where possible provide constructive feedback to candidates.
Adoption of these proposals by the casting industry would have immeasurable benefits for the mental wellbeing of the acting community. Knowing when to expect a decision will allow us to stop the constant checking of emails ‘just in case’. Getting a definitive ‘No’ decision within a defined timeframe will allow us to move on with greater certainty making informed choices about accepting other paid work. Although providing constructive feedback can be time consuming and difficult, when it is received it is greatly appreciated. Telling an actor that they could focus on their voicework could change a career. Telling an actor that their audition was great and they were shortlisted could change the experience from one of defeat and rejection to one of hope and validation.
We, the acting community, fully respect the work that the casting industry undertakes. We understand that there are numerous important stakeholders, schedules are ever changing and that this can cause fulfilment of the above proposals to be difficult. However, it would not be impossible. We know that the casting industry values the acting community. Committing to the proposals above would validate and reinforce the mutual respect of both parties.
Good communication is key to getting the best from us all.
For anyone who would like to support these proposals and sign the letter, please click below.
If you would like to discuss these proposals further please contact,
Neil John Gibson, email – neiljohngibson@hotmail.com, phone – 07478315938
The Issue
An open letter from Actors to the Casting Industry
Dear Casting Industry,
Firstly, thank you for the work that you do. Interactions with casting directors are incredibly positive and you make us feel welcomed and supported when we enter an audition room. You want the best from us to allow you to do your job well. However, often the process following a casting session has serious detrimental effects on the mental health of individuals within the acting community. Actors are often left for long periods of time without hearing a decision. In a lot of cases, we simply hear nothing at all. Actors put a lot of time and energy into preparing for an audition and this work should be valued and appreciated by the industry.
We would like to propose a minimum standard of practice across the casting industry to help manage the expectations of actors and protect their mental health.
The proposals are as follows:
- In the audition room commit to a timeframe in which actors will hear a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ about the audition.
- If this timeframe has to be extended, contact the actor/agent in the agreed timeframe and commit to a new timeframe.
- If you have chosen an actor but are waiting for them to sign a contract, let the other actors know they have been unsuccessful.
- If an actor is unsuccessful ensure that a ‘No’ decision is communicated in all instances.
- Where possible provide constructive feedback to candidates.
Adoption of these proposals by the casting industry would have immeasurable benefits for the mental wellbeing of the acting community. Knowing when to expect a decision will allow us to stop the constant checking of emails ‘just in case’. Getting a definitive ‘No’ decision within a defined timeframe will allow us to move on with greater certainty making informed choices about accepting other paid work. Although providing constructive feedback can be time consuming and difficult, when it is received it is greatly appreciated. Telling an actor that they could focus on their voicework could change a career. Telling an actor that their audition was great and they were shortlisted could change the experience from one of defeat and rejection to one of hope and validation.
We, the acting community, fully respect the work that the casting industry undertakes. We understand that there are numerous important stakeholders, schedules are ever changing and that this can cause fulfilment of the above proposals to be difficult. However, it would not be impossible. We know that the casting industry values the acting community. Committing to the proposals above would validate and reinforce the mutual respect of both parties.
Good communication is key to getting the best from us all.
For anyone who would like to support these proposals and sign the letter, please click below.
If you would like to discuss these proposals further please contact,
Neil John Gibson, email – neiljohngibson@hotmail.com, phone – 07478315938
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 12 June 2020