DR FJL - RE: Your "touch of sadness" post last night.
As we went through the past three days of auditions and callbacks, there were more than a couple of times when someone wonderful would walk in to the room who we could not "use". It wasn't that they were bad - we truly had no one "bad" over the past few days - it's just that they weren't right for the show.
I play a lot of auditions. I like to play auditions. However, I don't think I could ever put myself in that position day after day, week after week. That whole "built in rejection" that is a part of this business is something I don't think I could take on a regular basis.
I am fortunate, in a sense, to be a musician in this part of the business. Most of the time, jobs are offered, and not necessarily sought out. It's all word of mouth and reputation. Yes, there have been jobs that I have "lost", but I never truly lost the gig - it was just offered to someone else, not me. I did not audition. I did not actively put myself on the line. I was not "rejected".
I have many friends who are actors. And I know what they go through. And I admire them for that.
Consequenltly, one of my "missions" when I play auditions is to make sure the actor/singer has a good experience. That I make them feel welcome, comfortable, safe. Make them know that I
want to play for them, that I
like playing for them. That I want them to give a great audition, a great performance.
One of the greatest compliments that I could ever receive - and have received - is "You are so calm." Again, it's about making them feel comfortable.
"We" - the people behind the table - want to be able to hire everyone. We want "you" to be good. We want to have the "problem" of deciding between a bunch of people for one role.
Alas, when one person is picked, that means many someone else was not.
...And then when I see them again the following week at another set of auditions...
As I've been wont to say lately: It's easy when you care.
