As an artist or actor, you may be familiar with cattle calls - mass auditions where you show up with countless other performers hoping to be seen by a casting director or producer. While these may seem like a great way to get noticed, they can be detrimental to your career and even lead to exploitation. Here's why you should never attend cattle calls and instead make an appointment to be seen for auditions, as well as how to stand up to producers and directors who try to take advantage of your time and talent.
First and foremost, cattle calls can waste your time and energy. You may spend hours waiting in line, only to be seen for a few minutes and quickly dismissed. This can be discouraging and demoralizing, not to mention a huge waste of your precious time. Additionally, cattle calls are often open to anyone, regardless of their level of experience or talent, which means you may be competing against countless other performers who don't have the same skill or training level.
Instead of attending cattle calls, it's best to make an appointment to be seen for auditions. This will give you the opportunity to showcase your talent and abilities in a more focused and personalized setting. You'll be able to present your best work and have the opportunity to connect with casting directors or producers on a more personal level. This can lead to more meaningful relationships and greater opportunities in the long run.
It's important to stand up for yourself and your talent when dealing with producers and directors.
Unfortunately, some people in the entertainment industry may try to take advantage of performers, whether it's by asking them to work for free or for less than they deserve. Remember that you have the right to be paid fairly for your work and to set boundaries around your willingness to do.
If you're ever in a situation where you feel uncomfortable or feel like you're being taken advantage of, it's important to speak up. Be clear about your expectations and the terms of your agreement, and don't be afraid to walk away if those terms aren't being met. Remember that your time and talent are valuable, and you deserve to be treated with respect.
In conclusion, you should never attend cattle calls as an artist or actor. Instead, make appointments to be seen for auditions and stand up for yourself and your talent when dealing with producers and directors. By doing so, you'll be able to showcase your skills in a more personalized setting and ensure that you're being compensated fairly for your work. Share this post and information on all your social media platforms. And tell everyone you know. The more educated we are as a community, the stronger we are as human beings.
Good luck on your journey as a performer!