The ‘best actor’ doesn’t always get the job - at least ‘best actor’ in terms of acting skills.

You need to stand out.

Michael Caine tells the story of him getting cast in a feature film that shot in South Africa. He met the director at a party later that same day he auditioned. He asked him how his audition went. The director said it was terrible but because the cast and some key crew have to leave tomorrow, you got the job. (I am paraphrasing this.)

That tells you a lot about casting. About who gets booked and who doesn’t.

All you can do is build your professional community, continue to improve your skills and show up!

And with the big trend of self-taped auditions brought on by Covid, literally thousands of actors can get in the same room to audition (metaphorically, of course) where only a handful used to be able to.

BTW self taping has been around for quite some time. Max Martini used to come to my acting school in Vancouver in the ’90’s when he was shooting a series there and do self tapes on 8mm tape and courier them to LA.

But now, very few casting directors rent the facilities for live, in-person auditions on their first round or even second round. They allow self tapes from anywhere in the world and do a lot of live zoom auditions for call backs (or recalls depending on where in the world you are acting).

You may be getting a lot of auditions and not booking just because of this fact. Casting can throw a wider net now with this sanctioned practice.

You need to stand out. Learn how to do this effectively with a great coach and you will pierce through those thousands that are potentially vying for the same role.