Hey everyone!
I see that Ashley has posted something to this lounge about Actors and anxiety. Rather than answer in her thread, I have to air some dirty laundry about my lack of it, so I'll answer it and look for guidance from those more experienced in the field.
But first, a little history. I've only been doing this for five years. I started when I was 47 years old. I had served 21 years in the Marine Corps and then did 9 years as a small business owner before selling it and working a third career as an Actor, Writer, Director, Producer. Suffice to say, I don't get rattled anymore... by anyone or anything. I think that this helps when I audition, as I am not like "Oh I NEED this to pay rent" because I'm not showing any signs of anxiety or pressure. I can just do my best with the part (Except for the Cobra Kai audition but that was because I was fanboying all over the place but that's for another post! Lol!). But sometimes a little anxiety can be a good thing and in one particular case, I wish I had more of it. See below.
Now, for some dirty laundry. There is a VERY well known casting director here in the northeast who has cast me before in a few things. I've also taken classes from this individual and had just completed the latest class about a week before what I'm about to tell you occurred.
I made it to the callback round for a commercial and the callback was on Zoom. Unfortunately for me, I barely made it to my computer in time because of traffic coming home (I am the world's oldest film student too, more history for you) and being a fat guy, I was out of breath having just run to make it.
Well, of course, this person didn't like my set up for the callback and asked me to move locations, which I did but what was supposed to be a five minute callback was now three minutes in.
I could tell that they were angry with me from the get go. I was still out of breath trying to control it and admittedly it wasn't my best performance.
They began pounding on the table and yelling at me, no doubt because I had just completed their class and I was screwing up royally. "This is a very well paying gig Brandon! What happens if you don't get this?! What will you do!?" Now, remember, I was a Marine and in many ways, I still am. When I feel attacked, I attack back without thinking sometimes. I replied: "You mean go back to being retired, waking up at noon and @#$%$ the wife twice a day? No! Please! Not that!"
Needless to say, this sent this person into an absolute tizzy and I ended up, obviously, not getting the part.
Now, my question to you hive mind! Is there ANYTHING I can do to repair this relationship? This person IS very well known in casting circles and it's not someone I want against me. I think that if I had a little bit of healthy anxiety, things may have gone differently. I would have left class earlier, I would have maybe gone to the secondary location to start things. I wouldn't have had to run.
Let me know what you think!
2 people like this
Hey, Brandon Keeton. Maybe try to reach out to the casting director, apologize, explain why you were running late, and let the person know that when you feel attacked, you attack back without thinking sometimes. And maybe send a gift.
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I was thinking a gift might be nice. But maybe make it at the end of the year. Time to cool off.
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Great idea, Brandon Keeton. Time to cool off. The end of the year could work, but do you think that's too long to wait?
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Hey mate, just reach out via text, email, (and I'm one of these direct, to the point people) and type, "We need to talk, or have you given up on me?" That's it. You demonstrate a willingness to clear the air, and the second part is asking them where they stand with you. If they don't get back to you, that's your answer - say nothing, do not send anything. If, when you do speak on the phone, do say, "When I look back on that day, I could have done a few things differently." Name two things, that's it, but it's not a dump of events. Then apologize, and be quiet. Let the other person speak.
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You are certainly not the only one to ever make a mistake. I made my fair share of them in the past, scripted and unscripted. I have found offering a sincere apology face to face or Zoom to Zoom has been the best way to go. Nowadays, I mostly need to apologize to the chickens, sheep and horses on the farm. Those I do in person.
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don’t bother. if that person wasn’t kind and yelled and pounded their fist then they too should be concerned about their behavior. I’d move on and if an audition comes up again with that casting director just do it more professionally
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Brandon Keeton, We’ve all had moments where instinct took over, or where we didn’t show up the way we wanted to, and sharing those stories helps others realize they’re not alone. So thank you for your honestly and for sharing this story with us.
I really appreciate the humor and humility you brought to this post, even in a tough situation. It speaks volumes that you’re not only reflecting on what happened, but actively seeking guidance on how to repair the relationship.
If I were you, I would reach out with sincerity and ownership. A short message or email acknowledging the moment, taking accountability, and reiterating your respect for their time and work could go a long way. Sometimes just owning it without excuses makes a powerful impression.
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I do agree wait a bit and send a gift with an apology note. However, I also agree that this casting directors response was inappropriate and unprofessional. If someone yelled at me I would write them off and put my focus elsewhere.
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Brandon Keeton I also appreciate your honesty, humility and humanity. It's refreshing and we all make mistakes. So yes, if only for your own peace of mind, ask for a chance to apologise in person or by Zoom or if not by email. Then the ball is in their court. I love that you have had two careers before this one as it is something we have in common Always good to feel i'm not alone in coming to this late.
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Alexandra, I am very late to the game but better very late than not at all. I wish I had discovered my talents earlier, but I will enjoy them now.
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Wyman Brent by the sounds of your profile you have plenty of talents to enjoy!
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Alexandra, thank you. Sounds strange but I only unlocked my being on the extreme end of creative synsesthesia in April. Plus, I have ADHD with hyperfocus. I create fast and deep. I develop everything with transmedia and a deep ecosystem of merchandising, promotion and involving known social media influencers. Now I just need to find someone to help me get my work before the right eyes. Any suggestions would be welcome. By the way, I enjoyed your profile.
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Wyman Brent whose eyes would you like to be on the work? Curious how you unlocked your creativity?
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Hi Alexandra, thanks for asking an excellent question about eyes. I honestly do not know. I just know that I have rapidly and thoroughly developed an entertainment world where transmedia is thoroughly planned out. There is a deep ecosystem designed to promote my works and designed for maximum longevity and merchandising potential. So, I need someone who can help get the ball rolling in the right direction toward production,
As for unlocking my creativity, great question. For me, it all started in April with a song I wrote called What the Mack? — I had no idea that one goofy, catchy tune would unlock a floodgate. Suddenly, I wasn’t just writing songs. I was creating entire animated series, films, and even a stage musical. It was like I flipped a creative breaker I didn’t know existed.
I have ADHD with hyperfocus and and on the extreme spectrum of creative synesthesia, so once the ideas started coming, they never stopped. Now I’ve got four TV series, four films, a musical, and over 200 original songs ready to go — and I’m still writing new ones every day. Most take under five minutes. I just trust the instinct and ride the wave.
The turning point was simple: I stopped overthinking and let the absurdity flow. What the Mack? gave me permission to embrace the weird, the heartfelt, and everything in between.
Lesson learned? Sometimes your entire creative universe begins with one ridiculous question set to music.
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Wyman Brent how fascinating to read your reply and how your creativity breakthrough started. With regard to the eco system, "what formats have you already developed content in — just the song, or have you also written scripts, stories, visuals, etc.?
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Alexandra Stevens, thank you so much. All of my songs are sync ready and available in MP3 and WAV formats. I own all rights. Some of the songs were designed specifically for the various TV shows and films. However, the vast majority are songs that are perfect for recording by major recording artists. I was twice a college radio DJ, a nightclub DJ, helped set up concerts at a music venue, and had around 7,000 albums in my personal collection. I know music. Some of the songs are perfect for major ad campaigns.
I have written out full treatments for all four TV shows and films. Each can be totally script ready to go in a few days. That is just how my brain works. I have visuals, loglines, some scripts for the TV shows, and developing scripts for the films. I have three planned animated series which are totally family friendly. I also have one gritty live action crime drama. Plus, the four films. I would love to tell you more if you are interested.
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Wyman Brent I would say keep on doing what you're doing, getting involved, networking etc, maybe writing a blog post. You may already have received these links but they are helpful too: https://www.stage32.com/blog/the-importance-of-community-and-collaboration-in-the-television-
and-film-industry-3984
https://www.stage32.com/blog/7-tips-to-make-your-stage-32-profile-work-f...
Also if you have specific stuff to promote then you could use 'Your Stage'
I will also reply to your dm
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Alexandra Stevens, thank you. I will most definitely keep getting involved. I will be taking part in Introduce Yourself Week. I made sure to put on a name tag so that I do not forget who I am. I also will bring chocolates and pastries to bribe everyone. I will send you a dm and some other letters of the alphabet today.
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LMAO! Thank you for the morning laugh. Was not expecting to take the time to read this and see that you told him you'd be just fine giving your wife the magic instead. Where I'm from in Youngstown, you would get along with people.
As for repairing the relationship, likely not. Don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Use it as a learning experience, so it doesn't happen again. Also, "this person is well known in casting circles" everybody in this industry writes four giant paragraphs on their bio about how they're well known. Maybe they are, maybe they aren't, but you're completely fine. This is totally the industry where they huddle up in a corner and talk smack about you with their friends, but something this small isn't the end of the world and you have an excuse, you have anxiety.
I have severe anxiety, too. I blurt out jokes without thinking how they're written or said and then I'm confused when people react a certain way. You can't control this, and you can't control that people don't understand this. What you can, do, though, is adjust. Next time this happens, sigh, apologize, and be brutally honestly about your anxiety. You may be surprised to find the other person shifts their demeanor because they have it, too. Happens all the time. 33% roughly of Americans are assumed to have anxiety. That's one out of three people. Stand between two people, look left and right...one of you probably has it.
Good luck and I'm glad you dropped the one liner of the year on this guy who thinks he's high and mighty.