5 RULES FOR FOLLOWING UP WITH CASTING DIRECTORS- By Brette Goldstein
You’ve completed your audition, you’ve received a good response from the casting director, so now what do you do? The following are what to do and what not to do when it come to following up.
1. Send a thank you note:
It’s a always nice to receive a message of gratitude, whether it be an email or a card. If you feel like you’ve got a good read on what a casting director would like, think of a way that you can let them know that you appreciate the opportunity to audition for them. Some casting directors appreciate the thought so much that they will remember you for different roles in the future.
2. Do not send a thank you note with an “ask” (unless necessary):
The downside with email thank you notes is that people tend to follow it up with asking for something, usually with a deadline too. Yes, a deadline. Feel free to send a link of your showreel or a recent short film, commercial, etc, but try to avoid asking for feedback, a quote for your website or a recommendation for representation. If you’ve had a good meeting, follow up by thanking them for their time and consideration. An ask can always come at a later time.
3. Respect boundaries:
It doesn’t matter if you drop into a casting directors office, or try to call them on the phone, try to not do so unless you have been invited to.
4. Invite them to see your work:
Let’s say you’ve built a basic relationship with a casting director from a previous audition. You’ve expressed your gratitute, they have gotten back to you because you didn’t push any favours on them, so by now you can offer if they would like to see your short film, your theatre production etc.
5. Focus on building collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships with casting directors:
You shouldn’t expect that casting directors will spend a great deal of time with you in person, on the phone, or over email “managing” your career, no matter how much they like you. The most important thing to remember is this: Think of auditions as both an opportunity to perform and as a job interview. You wouldn’t make demands after either. If you follow up simply and professionally, it will build relationships.
Also, don’t be needy! If you think of interactions in this industry as- to a certain extent- dating, and you think about how those who are successful with dating function, you’ll be more willing to show your best self and detach yourself from the outcome.