Helping Your Child Manage Rejection
And other "Responsible Parenting" issues
It's a reality of show business that every actor faces: you go into a room of casting directors and, if you're lucky, you wow them. However, there are those moments when you just don't (or maybe you do and for whatever reason you still are not selected). Perhaps they tell you, "You're not what we're looking for," or perhaps they don't tell you anything at all.
If you've ever been the parent waiting desperately by the phone trying to analyze every detail of the casting experience, and whether or not you'll get a phone call, you know what it feels like to be left in the dark. Unfortunately in this case, no news is often bad news. Casting Directors simply don't have the time to call hundreds of people to explain why they didn't get the job.
Casting Director Krisha Bullock recently explained to a group of hopefuls that "When a parent comes up to me and asks why my child didn't get the role, I simply state 'because I didn't pick them'." It's a tough reality, but there are hundreds of kids auditioning for only a handful of roles.
It's these times of rejection that can be tough for an actor of any age. So how do you, as a parent of a child actor, help your child manage the feelings and emotions that surround such an adult experience?
ChildrenInFilm.com has a section entitled "Responsible Parenting" where parents can read articles about rejection, morality on set, healthy gossip and more. Additionally, we frequently focus on child psychology and the relationships held between parents and young actors. On July 13th, for example, the member networking event will be a Hollywood from Home with Dr. Jennifer Kates Ramlo, Ph.D.
In the Responsible Parenting article "Dealing with Rejection ," Children In Film addresses rejection and helps you turn the experience into an empowering one that will help you move forward.
The First step: Think about how far you've come. If you're going on auditions, you are a working actor and you should be proud!
The Second Step: Learn from your mistakes and take them as a blessing in disguise. Empower yourself to keep doing the thing you love!
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