You've spent extensive time researching casting directors, agents, publishers, jobs, and crafting a worthy cover letter or CV for them to peruse, only to never hear back from them. It's not so much painful but frustrating. It leaves you in limbo of not knowing whether your application reached them, whether they are just taking their time to consider you, or whether it is a firm "no". After all, it takes five seconds to send an email saying "No, thank you." You'd think it common courtesy. But in this age of technological advancement, where the decision-makers are swamped by thousands of applications for even the smallest opportunity, ghosting has become common. This blog will explore how to cope with industry ghosting, so that you feel motivated rather than dejected and rejected.
The Psychology Behind Ghosting
Ghosting isn’t just a phenomenon in dating; it’s prevalent in professional settings too. Psychologically, people tend to avoid uncomfortable conversations, and rejecting someone outright can feel awkward, even for professionals in hiring or casting positions. Many decision-makers feel they don’t owe a response, particularly if they’re overwhelmed with submissions. It’s easier for them to move on without engaging in a difficult dialogue.
While this doesn’t justify ghosting, it explains why it happens so frequently.
Personal Experience: Dealing with Industry Ghosting
As any actor with career aspirations, I am seeking an agent. As any writer with a story to tell, I am seeking a literary agent. I have contacted many, many agents and publishers, and it is extremely disheartening to report that only 10% of these have ever actually replied. As I said before, it takes five seconds to send an automated or copy-and-pasted rejection. It is better than not knowing. I am confident in my products (both performing and writing) and have had sufficient evidence to suggest that these are not the problems - I am constantly getting work as an actor; my writing is championed at University and my social circles. There is the first piece of advice: never let rejection or ghosting make you lose faith in yourself. Of course, be self-aware: revisit your work and tinker - but never ever quit.
The replies I have had are always prefaced with "We're extremely busy." Who isn't? It feels a punch in the gut to spend time creating something special to receive a dispassionate response. As with job interviews, where they mostly use AI these days to scour your CV, or you're directed to an interview where there are no people and you're talking to yourself. How can that be a test of someone's personal and communication skills? What happened to the humanity in the workplace? There lies a double-standard between the job-seeker or agent-seeker and the ones with the power, where you are expected to craft a tailor-made approach only to receive silence or a lazy copy-and-paste reply.
What's worse? Getting a bite and then being ignored. I have had a publisher and an agent respond very positively to me; both offered a call to discuss my projects. Then when I responded to them with a date - silence. A follow up. Silence. As they say, it's the hope that kills you.
Why would you want to work for a company or be represented by someone who can't perform a simple ritual like checking their inbox? Or perhaps it is just me and my impeccable time management and organisation skills that I can respond to everyone and everything within a reasonable time-frame. Perhaps I'm the wrong one.
Why Companies Ghost (Even Though It’s Inexcusable)
Sheer Volume – Employers, casting directors, and producers often receive an overwhelming number of applications or submissions.
Fear of Confrontation – Some decision-makers dislike delivering bad news, believing that silence is a softer rejection than outright saying no. (Which I completely disagree with!)
Shifting Priorities – Projects change, roles get rewritten, budgets are cut. Sometimes, they just move on without informing the candidates.
Lack of Professionalism – Unfortunately, some companies don’t prioritise professional courtesy. If they don’t see applicants as valuable relationships to maintain, they may not feel obligated to reply. (Hence, the dehumanising of the workplace.)
While these reasons might explain ghosting, they don’t excuse it. The entertainment and publishing industries thrive on relationships, and those that treat talent poorly often develop a bad reputation over time.
How to Stay Motivated Despite Ghosting
Dealing with industry ghosting can be discouraging, but here’s how to keep your momentum:
1. Shift Your Mindset
As mentioned earlier, reframe ghosting as a reflection of the industry, not your talent or worth. A lack of response doesn’t mean you’re not good enough—it often means the recipient is overwhelmed or disorganised.
2. Follow Up (Once or Twice, Then Move On)
A polite follow-up email after a reasonable period can sometimes yield a response. However, if you don’t hear back after one or two attempts, let it go and redirect your energy elsewhere.
3. Control What You Can
You can’t control who responds to you, but you can control how you present yourself. Keep refining your portfolio, audition techniques, writing samples, and networking skills. The more you improve, the better your chances of landing an opportunity where you’re truly valued.
4. Diversify Your Submissions
If you pin all your hopes on one opportunity, ghosting will feel even more devastating. Instead, apply for multiple roles, submit to different publishers, and audition frequently. Treat each opportunity as one of many, not your only shot.
5. Lean on Your Support Network
Talk to other actors, writers, and creatives who understand the struggle. They can offer advice, share their experiences, and remind you that you’re not alone.
6. Create Your Own Opportunities
Actors can collaborate on indie projects, short films, or stage productions. Writers can self-publish, start a blog (like this one), or submit to smaller outlets. The more you put yourself out there, the more control you have over your career trajectory.
7. Practice Resilience
The most successful people in the industry are those who keep going despite countless rejections and setbacks. Ghosting may be part of the game, but persistence, talent, and adaptability will ultimately get you where you want to be.
Final Thoughts
Industry ghosting is frustrating, unprofessional, and disheartening, but it’s not a reflection of you. Keep submitting, keep improving, and keep moving forward. You will end up with what you deserve if you just squeeze your determination that little extra bit harder.
Comments