you 'bombed' an audition: here's what a casting director thinks

Inside arvold warner studio's membership community, we have a listserve full of shared artistic experience. An aws member recently posted about 'bombing' an audition, and below is my reply.

I just totally bombed an audition, got any tips for how to let it go/put it behind me?

Oh, that blows, yuk...uggg, and other commiserating compassionate feelings sent your way.

A few thoughts (take what’s best, leave the rest):

•You’ve already done the thing that is sometimes the hardest. Gotten through it, and are able to write about it, congratulations!
•You FEEL the bomb and that is real, but know that it’s you who feels it the strongest.
•The people you auditioned for DO NOT REMEMBER, I promise you. They most likely don’t even think you bombed it.

At worst - they think 'hmmm, maybe an off day for the actor, I’ve had those too.'
At best - you might get a callback.

I cannot tell you how many actors have had the experience of getting a callback after they are positively positive they bombed the first audition.
•You are alive and well and have survived. You are knocked down but will get up again. Sometimes the only way to go is up, but stay down for a bit to recover before standing again.
•Give yourself 24 hours (or 48 hours) to wallow.
•Think about or do something you love. Hike or paint or talk on the phone for hours and just be in the moment as best you can with ALL the feelings.

Know that YOU are not your audition. It doesn’t define you. YOU are an artist.
•Failure is essential and worth CELEBRATING! Congratulations 🎉 on your bombed audition! Not kidding.

LAST THOUGHT: My mom rode horses a lot when I was little. It wasn’t until her 3rd big fall that the stable considered her a serious rider. She still loves talking about those falls.

x

After 30+ years as a multi-hyphenate casting director, I am passionate about sharing experiences and advice with actors & screen artists to help expand careers and increase joy.