r/acting • u/faerieW15B • 2d ago
I've read the FAQ & Rules Is this bad form on my part?
Hi all, I'm feeling a bit guilty about this and wondering if I'm in the wrong.
Several weeks ago- either the last week of June or first week or July, I don't remember- I had an online audition for a small role in a short film. Non union, student film kind of vibes. The audition itself was over very quickly, the director/writer asked me a few questions about availability and travel and said they were looking to film in the middle/end of July. I don't remember the exact wording but I remember ending that zoom call with sense of confusion because it wasn't really made clear whether or not I'd got the role. July came and went, and I just assumed they'd gone with someone else for the role or something.
Well, I've just now opened my emails to find a message from the director, stating that they now have filming dates for the end of this month and are planning online rehearsals between myself and the other actors.
The problem is, I'm not available on these dates, and from next week onward my schedule is packed, so I won't be able to do any of this. At the time I didn't have as much planned, but I've since got another acting job lined up and have a lot of travel planned, as well as personal events such as a wedding to attend, so between now and the end of the year I haven't got a lot of spare time.
My concern is; is it bad form of me to 'drop out' now when I didn't even know that I'd got the role? I suppose they must have thought it was implied, but it was kind of just left on a "we'll be in touch" note. I also didn't think to tell them my availability two months after their July date, because it didn't occur to me to let them know I might not be free in September. I'm a bit worried they'll be angry with me or it'll make me look unreliable, but am I in the wrong here?
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u/Economy_Steak7236 2d ago
You auditioned under the assumption it was filming in the summer. They should have gotten back to you to see if the new dates aligned with your schedule. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having to back out if this. And I am sure they have someone else who auditioned who can fill in! Just communicate it all with them ASAP.
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u/regaleagled 2d ago
it sounds like they’re disorganized, and that’s nothing to do with you. they should have communicated that filming dates changed, and they should have confirmed you’d be available for the new dates as well. be honest with them and say you can’t do september; it may turn out they end up pushing it again!
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u/ticketstubs1 1d ago
Tell them you were never informed if you had the role or not and you booked other work. That's not good or bad form, it's just the facts.
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u/gasstation-no-pumps 1d ago
If they were students and planning to film over the summer, it is likely that they were so disorganized that they couldn't managed to get their crew to be all available in the same month. They may now be back in school and have a more disciplined schedule—but they still seem to be disorganized. Tell them your new availability and let them know that if it doesn't work for them, they'll have to go with someone else. You might also let them know that you had assumed that when the original filming dates had gone by and you hadn't been contacted that you had not gotten the role—student film-makers need to learn that ghosting actors is a really bad idea!
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u/EnvironmentChance991 1d ago
Typical non-union disorganized vibes. As others have said you do nothing wrong by saying you are no longer available for those dates. It's annoying if it's a role you wanted but it's their loss.
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u/actorpractice 1d ago
This is their fault for not communicating, not yours. They are about to have a learning moment.
A simple email with something like:
The last time we communicated, it was my understanding that you were shooting in July.
While my July schedule was relatively open, my current schedule is not, as I have committed to another production all the way through September (or whatever date).
Had I known I was cast, I may have been able to hold some dates for you, but as it stands, I'm unavailable and have to respectfully bow out.
if it so happens that you push dates again, as of now I'm available in October (or whatever)
Not being available is actually one of the best reasons to not accept a job. It means you're in demand. ;)
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u/FreeOrderedLeader 2d ago
Heyo - A few things here: First - congrats on the opportunity and possibly moving forward!
Second, schedule wise for production, since it's not the dates they originally mentioned during the audition process, it's understandable if your avail changes. It's now a conversation on availability, so don't be nervous if it's not all perfect. Yall can figure it out.
Third - a lot of us actors have had to miss friend weddings, or personal events that aren't work related for the acting jobs that may conflict, so it's totally up to you, not telling you what you should prioritize, but some directors/producers may expect you to put personal things (esp if you're not getting paid elsewhere) aside for the work. That sacrifice has been a part of the acting game, unfortunately.
Wishing the best!
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u/Unteins 2d ago
They only know you’re missing for personal events if you TELL them you’re missing for personal events.
“I’m so sorry. Unfortunately I am unavailable from 9/17-10/12.”
You don’t have to tell them why.
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u/FreeOrderedLeader 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yes, agreed, perfect professional avail wording, no need to mention the personal events; try best to figure out what dates work for everyone 🥂
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u/SirLaurenceOlivier 1d ago
Most actors I know would even skip a funeral before skipping an acting gig. (For stage productions, understudies let main cast members attend funerals.)
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u/uneven_eyebrow 1d ago
So it looks like they were checking your avails and you might have agreed at the time on the zoom call but they distinctly stated shooting was going to be mid july to end of july. Not September.
So at this point it's fair to just politely email back and say "thank you for offering me the role but due to schedule conflicts, I am going to decline. Best of lucky, sincerely, blah blah".
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u/jacrispylives 1d ago
nope, ive had a lot of experiences like this with student films as a college student myself, it’s really aggravating the lack of professionalism and organization people have. be straight up, this will hopefully be a learning lesson for them
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u/Itchy_Artichoke_5247 19h ago
you didn't drop out....You booked something else. Their lack of planning does not require your extra work. Multiple times I have had a production attempt to book me when i was already working on another project. First come, first serve.
Your email response should be something along the lines of:
Thank you very much for thinking of me for this roll. Unfortunately I have already committed the dates of your production to another project. It is such a shame as I was really hoping for the opportunity to play this role, unfortunately the fates have intervened. If anything changes with your shooting schedule, please let me know.
Sincerely,
faerieW15B
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u/HalloweenH2OMG 2d ago
It’s unprofessional of them to assume you’re perpetually available.
At this point, you should just be honest and upfront with them about your current availability if you actually do want to work on their project.