Anyone have experience writing an actor rejection letter?

Tabula Rasa Productions

Tabula Rasa Productions

Well-known member
I held my first auditions this week, for professional actors. (yay, but that's another story)

Now, I've pretty much chosen my cast, but am in the awkward position of writing rejection letters.

Anyone have tips, stories, etc. they would like to share concerning this?

Thanks
 
"Thank you for your interest in this project, however we've decided to go with somebody else, best of luck."

Professional actors live/eat/sleep/breath rejection, you won't have to sound too nice.
 
Rejection letters!? You're far too kind. Actors aren't waiting by the phone. They'll just assume they didn't get it as usual and move on. They've probably done 50 other auditions by now.
 
she's a decent human being. yes, it's rather unusual. :)

have you considered making a phone call? that's what i do.
 
I'd still at least write a small letter (if there's lots of people missing out), if it's only a handful then personally I call and keep their details on file for next time! I hate it when I miss out on something and no-one bothers to even send a one line email, so I make sure I don't do that.
 
Last edited:
It is a real nice touch, when I get at least an email. If you are going to send letters, I say "you are a gracious and professional CD."
 
I would mention all the good things they did on the casting (good pacing, good looks, good attitude, etc) and try be as nice as possible, always reminding that you might need them for some future project.

About the "rejection" thing, try to explain the less you can.
 
Dear _____________,
I am sorry to inform you that after careful consideration, we decided to go with someone else for the part of ____________. Even though you had an impressive resume, you lacked the one necessary qualification we were looking for...actual talent. If I were to draw an analogy based on your audition, you would be as to acting as Uwe Boll is to directing. And I'm not exaggerating, it really was that bad. But anyways, best wishes and good luck finding work in the future..you'll need it.

Sincerely,
______________
 
ugafan said:
Dear _____________,
I am sorry to inform you that after careful consideration, we decided to go with someone else for the part of ____________. Even though you had an impressive resume, you lacked the one necessary qualification we were looking for...actual talent. If I were to draw an analogy based on your audition, you would be as to acting as Uwe Boll is to directing. And I'm not exaggerating, it really was that bad. But anyways, best wishes and good luck finding work in the future..you'll need it.

Sincerely,
______________
Click to expand...

Seriously, Ugafan, consider writting a comedy short. Your posts are a must read for me over here. This wouldn't be the same place without your excelent sense of humour!

back to the point- I would write either an E-mail or a letter, and no Phone call, since it opens the door to discussion, whining, "but if I just did this, or changed that, would you reconsider?" kind of dialogues that you just don't want to waste your time with. Praise their audition, and say you went for other actor because of the role, and not because of their talent. This business is hard, and dealing with unpolite cold SOBitches is common. Its good to make a different stand on this. Actors, like filmmakers, are pursuing a dream and face doubt untill they actually succeed. And if they succeed, its better for them to remember you as the polite rejection guy, than the "cold SOB", right?
 
We always told them we were keeping their resumes or in your position, their headshots plus reel. I would put it somewhere in a file, you never know when you need 'extras' or cameo roles.

Tell them you are keeping them on file for future projects, thank them for their time.
 
I have never heard of a Rejection Letter to an Actor. I suppose if there is someone you feel truly needs it, maybe you have them in mind for a future project ? Then a call would be cool ?
 
Batutta said:
Rejection letters!? You're far too kind. Actors aren't waiting by the phone. They'll just assume they didn't get it as usual and move on. They've probably done 50 other auditions by now.
Click to expand...

Bulls**t!

that's the sort of attitude that depresses most actors - me included! unfortunately it's becoming the norm.

Writing a rejection letter/email/call/txt is something we should all do -

"Thank you for your interest in this project, however we've decided to go with somebody else, best of luck." to quote Blade Borge - is fine, we don't need much (although you might add "we'll keep you on file for future projects") - and yes we most probably have gone to 50 other auditions but that doesn't mean we're not still hoping for a call.

you can pad it out a bit with :

our decision was really difficult with the high calibre of people like you auditioning, but.."

don't make the mistake of going into too much detail - you hair was the wrong colour/ too short etc etc - you'll only encourage them to reply.


"she's a decent human being. yes, it's rather unusual. :)
have you considered making a phone call? that's what i do. "

- thank you! on behalf of all actors.

why should actors give a s**t about you and your project when you don't give a s**t about them.

You might know more than a few actors who are pains in the arse but the same can be said of directors/producers/casting agents/1st AD's etc etc.

Treat others as you would wish to be treated.


****bugger I've gone on a rant and just realised it's an old post
 
At a professional level, you never know when you might need to call on that actor for a future role or even as a replacement for the role you had them audition for. It's never too early to show your prospective talent that you're someone they can trust with their vulnerability. Word gets around. But I'd go with an email, not a letter.
 
tired said:
Bulls**t!

that's the sort of attitude that depresses most actors - me included! unfortunately it's becoming the norm.
Click to expand...


It's always been the norm. Most actors don't obsess over prospective roles. If they do, they really need to get into a different line of work (no offense) or find a good therapist. In a perfect world we'd all get sweet rejection letters, but you just keep moving forward and doing the best you can regardless. Pro and semi-pro actors understand that.

As a producer, I'm sorry, I don't feel like I need to explain myself with regard to casting decisions and a form rejection letter I'd imagine could be a little insulting. Real actors - actors who go to many auditions, who get roles, and who spend time perfecting their craft "get it" and are more than used to only getting a response if they get a callback or get the part. That's really just the way it is.
 
ugafan said:
Dear _____________,
I am sorry to inform you that after careful consideration, we decided to go with someone else for the part of ____________. Even though you had an impressive resume, you lacked the one necessary qualification we were looking for...actual talent. If I were to draw an analogy based on your audition, you would be as to acting as Uwe Boll is to directing. And I'm not exaggerating, it really was that bad. But anyways, best wishes and good luck finding work in the future..you'll need it.

Sincerely,
______________
Click to expand...

lmao!
 
No rejection letters, it's just salt on a rejection. I mean it's a nice gesture, but very very time consuming and I don't think worth it if you're just going to send a form letter. Kind of takes the personal aspect out of it.
 
Nobody sends rejection letters, you don't have time to be responding and replying to everyone. You send a rejection letter and you'll get another 100+ responses that will be hard not to look at, maybe even a few telling you to go f yourself or "your loss". Seriously, some actors are really crazy and some are borderline stalker deranged. Don't assume you're dealing with all normal people when you're doing a cattle call, it brings out some strange people who aren't actors who want to get into it. I've read of actors following a production after it's done and trashing it on IMDb and elsewhere. You ever heard of the disgruntled actor who didn't get casted? There's a reason why studios and Hollywood in general shows they aren't interested by not responding, they've learned it's better not to respond than respond and create an enemy because someone read an e-mail wrong.
 
Oh right, totally forgot about the crazy factor.

And I just remembered a buddy who went the rejection letter route. He got responses from almost every actor he sent the letter to asking what was wrong with their audition. You have been warned... :)
 
When I was an actor nobody said anything. You only hear if you got the part. But I appreciate that you don't follow that code.
Brian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top