The Audition That Got Away (And What I Learned)

I got a surprise phone call from one of my agents a couple of weeks ago. I was on the shortlist for a big grocery chain! Yay! Fantastic!

They wanted to know about my availability.

That's easy: every day.

Then they asked about my weekend availability.

OK, that's easy too. I'm available most weekends. I never travel, soooo…

Then they wanted to know about evenings, and I'm thinking, "WOW! Just how often does this client need VO?"

I teach dog training 1-2 nights a week.

They wanted to know what time I leave the house and what time I return.

Hm, this is the kind of job that makes you fear a scheduled dental appointment. But, I'd welcome the challenge!

I heard nothing for a week, so I decided to check in with my agent. No, the client hadn't decided yet.

Meanwhile I'm looking at a stack of Obedience and Rally trial entries. If you enter, there's a short window in which you can cancel your entry and get your money back. Miss that window, and the club thanks you for your generous donation. So, I try to only enter trials I'm pretty darn sure I'll make it to the trial.

Another week passed and still no word. At this point I'm thinking the opportunity has passed me by. But, I called to check in, and while no final decision had been made, different talent were on their "Uber" shortlist.

There are a few things I've realized from this experience.

The first is that while I'd love the opportunity to work on an account like this, I really value the flexibility offered to me through voice work. I like that when I need to, I can take a day and enjoy a little 'me' time.

And that time as it relates to trialing is pivotal to the next iteration of my life: ideally as an Obedience and Rally judge.

I also learned that agents really are happy to hear from you. Everyone I spoke to at the agency was super nice and genuinely interested in helping me. They were glad that I was following up and being attentive to their requirements. In fact one of the schedulers sounded genuinely pleased when he realized I was on the other end of the line. That warmed my heart!

I still feel really great about my near miss. While this was going on I got invited to an audition with a small group of talent, and to another audition for a hospital system…right up my alley! Maybe I didn't get the grocery store job because there's something more suited to me coming up!

So as Elizabeth Taylor said, I'll just "put on some lipstick and pull yourself together." The next amazing opportunity is probably just around the corner. Meanwhile, I'll keep auditioning using all the techniques I've been learning with Lili Wexu...and enter trials without guilt.