First, communicate with them.
It’s pilot season. Everyone’s stressed. You’re one of many clients on someone’s roster. Remember that they are working hard to get all of their clients jobs and it’s important to have faith that they know what they’re doing and they’re invested in helping you get work. If they weren’t they wouldn’t be working with you.
Perhaps it’s still early in pilot season and you haven’t gotten any auditions yet. You start doubting whether or not you’re with the right person or if they’re doing anything on your behalf or if they even like you.
Don’t hit the panic button. Often, the main roles for new shows are offers being made to famous actors so that’s why you’re not being seen. Once that part of the casting process winds down and the roles have been filled, the casting offices will start looking at other people for supporting roles and guest star and co-star roles.
You’ll get called in. Breathe.
Recently, though, I spoke to an actress who was not only not going out for pilot season, but when she was, her manager would undermine her confidence by giving her arbitrary bad feedback and tell her all the reasons why she wouldn’t get a role.
Everyone knows the business can be challenging. That it’s just numbers. That if you’re doing your best and getting callbacks things are working and it’s just a matter of time.
So when anyone doesn’t support the artist in that process, you have two options.
1). Say nothing and hope it gets better. (But we all know it won’t.)
2). Express your truth, create boundaries, communicate your needs, find a way of making things work if they’re salvageable. If not, cut your losses and get out.
I know that’s a scary thought. “Oh my God . . . I can’t be agent-less during pilot season.” But the irony is, if you’re working with someone who’s abusive and non-supportive – you kind of already are.
It’s like a bad relationship. Ain’t nobody got time for that!
It’s important to retain our dignity and respect as actors on our journeys. So many times, what is being asked of us and what is being said to us – can be demoralizing or hurtful. But you don’t have to stand for it just because you want a job.
No job is worth that. Nor is any agent or manager who makes you feel like there’s something wrong with you just because you haven’t booked a job for a few months.
You’re allowed to be human. Remember that.
The ones who care (and are excellent at their jobs) understand this. And they’re in it with you for the long haul.
So seek those people out if you’re feeling it’s scary to take the leap. They exist! Remember your self-worth. You deserve to be with someone who truly sees and celebrates your talent.
That’s not based on whether or not you sometimes tank an audition or don’t get a callback or get bad feedback.
That’s based on who you are.