How many parts do you get?

[aliceinwonderinc]

I was just wondering, how many of the castings that you/your dds and ds's go for do you/they get the part? I'd just be interested to hear the ratio, like you get however many parts from so many castings, just cos I don't know anyone in this business so I'd just like to hear from you guys.
Thanks! :D

[Fruitcake]

This is a very difficult question to answer, as it can vary so much. You could get cast from 2 consecutive castings, and then not get anything for 6 months!

I remember a young professional actor telling my very young son years ago that he reckoned on about 30 castings for one part (I think he was talking TV, including adverts).

I think this is a pretty fair assumption.

[Irishdancer]

It depends when my 2 sons where young between about 5 and 9 did very well got 1 job out of 3 they went for some times even got 3 or 4 in a row but as they got older that changed now get about 1 in 15 but that includs advert tv and short films

[aliceinwonderinc]

Okay cool, that makes me feel better! But also kinda worse, cos it means I've probably got to wait a while until I actually get a part... ](*,)

[nextinline]

You have posed an interesting question aliceinwonderlinc. I think it varies a lot just like all the other replies. Also just because the kids get success when they are young doesn't mean they will once they are older. It all comes down to luck as well as talent. You could go a very long time with absolutely nothing and then find that you fit a casting directors brief for a very specific role out of the blue. Best to think of jobs as opportunities and that way you won't get disheartened. I think the most important question is 'can you handle the lifestyle?' as many actors I know have been successful in the early parts of their career and by 26 /27 have felt that the touring lifestyle is no longer for them. I once heard it said that you can have a career in theatre all of your life but you have to be able to cope with uncertainty, long gaps between jobs and just being happy with who you are and what you are doing. Basically, don't expect too much and then every opportunity is a bonus. Good luck, I am sure you'll get an opportunity soon.

[mathsmum]

fraid boys do better than girls as they are scarcer

as irishdancer says, it is easier when kids are younger as at 12/13 the 'we'll go for a famous name' syndrome sets in with a vengeance

as you get older, you need to spend a lot of time looking to create your own work - smaller companies, chasing up people you knew, setting up your own projects