Why Aren't You Booking More? Here's Why!

Wondering how to book more work?

Astute advice from Cast Images On-Camera Agent, Jessica Berkey:

Jessica Berkey, Cast Images Agent

Hello, my awesome actors! I often get questions from actors wondering why they aren't booking more...today I'm feeling inspired to remind you of a few realities and hopefully help you take your auditions to the next level.

Let's talk training, training, training. The olympic athlete did not make their country's team by being passionate about or "really loving" what they do. It's challenging, gut-wrenching and back-breaking work to be the best. The daily dedication, focus and commitment to their development is life consuming and once they make the team, they then have to prove that they are the best again and again with each competition, each event.

 You are not the exception to the rule. It's not enough to simply want it. If you're not working on your craft and exercising those acting muscles every single day, you're not being competitive. It's not only what you do in the audition room that matters.

Yes, acting is fun and can be emotionally rewarding, but this is a business, not a hobby (It's absolutely ok to have acting solely as a hobby in your life, but those actors are not represented, not professional talent). Each step you are taking in between those audition and booking opportunities builds your foundation in this market, in this industry. You have to be the best at what you do, even in a medium-sized market.

• Are you booking? 
• Are you securing callbacks for each audition? 
• Are you getting called in with any kind of consistency? 
• Are you being requested at all? 
• Is your audition THE best? 

If the answers to these questions are not "YES! YES! YES! YES! and OH YES!" then it's time to take a hard look at what is and is not working in your career growth plan and make some tangible steps to change the situation.

If your resume is lacking credits and/or training, why should they call you in for an audition? If your audition is average or commonplace, why should they call you back? Why give YOU a paycheck if there are stronger, better professionals out there available? The quality of your work, of what you bring to the table, will define your opportunities.

Training is an enormous part of this, something you already know. Whether you are 5 or 50, you are never done learning, never done training. So, what should you be focusing on? Audition technique, improvisation, character development, script analysis, cold read technique, narration, vocal control, physicality, scene study... This is a question with endless answers and specific to your personal strengths, weaknesses and individual career goals. First and foremost, you need to develop your skill set. Then, you need to maintain and grow it.

Instead of being discouraged, be challenged. Be motivated to be the best at what you do. Get in a class. Meet with your acting coach. Join an improv group. Get friends together to work scenes and monologues. Already in a class? Take another and another. As an agent, I  believe in my talent, but I can't book the jobs for you. The hard truth is that unless you're wowing each client every time, you've got work to do.