First ever booking + dont lose hope!
Hi yall!
For context, I am a 16 year old actress based in the Bay Area, I recently got dropped my pretty reputable agent for declining a type of audition I wasn’t comfortable doing which I stated before signing with them, and I am signed with a manager who reached out to me through CN. I don’t have any professional credits on my resume other than training over the years and so far in 2026 I have received 30 auditions, but no booking. That’s the most auditions I’ve ever gotten in such a short amount of time considering we’re only 4 months into the year.
Now, one of my auditions was an in person screen test back in march, and I was reached out to by 2 people from the same screen test who had watched the tape and thought I would be a good fit for their short films! So I just had my first booking EVER, then followed up by another role offer from the same workshop/screen test!
It’s set to film a few days in may, and I am aware this isn’t a huge feature film or recurring role, but I am proud of myself as I am finally seeing results in my almost 4 years of self submitting, auditioning, and investing into headshots and other necessities. It’s also great to have some actual proof that I’m able to work and book to add onto my resume.
I was recently feeling like I should give up as well and that there’s no point in continuing wasting my parents time and money as I am a minor and they were the ones investing everything into me, but this has given me courage to keep going, I guess I’m just worked up and thinking about how at least having 2 short films credits is better than none and can maybe get me into more opportunities. But if you feel like giving up during these slow times, this is your sign not to because you will foreveerrr regret not working towards what it could’ve been, I know everyone says “you shouldn’t give up on your dream”, but there’s truly no way of believing that unless you experience the thrill and joy of the outcome.
I was also hoping you guys could give me some tips and ways to prepare to be in front of the camera for the first time ever, and how to turn more of my auditions into bookings! Please let me know your thoughts and feel free to ask questions!! Thank you