ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 5 months ago - Sam Seal

Having put up ads for people to act and help with techy stuff - the response is overwhelming. Replying to everyone is really hard work, especially to people who you'd like when you've already found the ideal person. Some people just seem to "apply" for everything with a curt "pick me", even if they're clearly outside the remit of the role. Or worse, they send the same really long "pick me" screed which is clearly and cynically generic. Having had more than 50 replies for one role, I wrote to most people to give them some kind of personalised feedback, and it took a whole day, but I have to confess that some people's "applications" were so wide of the mark it made it hard to reply and be able to say anything positive. So there are two sides to the equation. The people who apply for absolutely everything make the situation worse.

10 years, 3 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Another angle on this - as applicants should we simply be more picky? It's usually fairly easy to spot which advertisers have and haven't got a clue. I don't think I need to post examples, but some people appear more attracted to the idea of being a director than the reality of actually directing a film, for instance.

Some advertisers post the same ad week in and out, which suggests they haven't filled a role - perhaps it's useful for them to have a think why, maybe change the requirement (or at least change the advert once in a while). Even a small, notional amount of pay for instance is more interesting to people than expenses only. It is a symbol of taking your production seriously and lets applicants know they're going to be taken seriously too.

I'd suggest that in the absence of being able to offer proper rates, politeness and procedure should be the very least one should expect. It's a small industry, the same faces come round over and over, so this is an opportunity to make a favourable impression :)

Just my 2p as ever...

10 years, 4 months ago - Kyri Saphiris

I have no issue with not hearing back from things I've simply applied to. This has always been the case and I don't believe it's particularly wrong.

What I do dislike however, is to attend an interview/ meeting/ audition (which pretty much takes up half a day of my time when you factor in travel plus a few quid in real money) and then not hear back. Now that is so wrong on every level.

Not hearing back from the former has no implications, which is why it doesn't bother me. The latter has many - not just a few hours of my time and the best part of a tenner, but also you pencil the potential dates into your diary in case the project is offered to you, and then whilst you wait for a reply, you need to keep those dates potentially free for the project. So when you don't hear back it's abhorrently disgraceful.

10 years, 2 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

@Dan Selakovich And perhaps those 'buyers' also have cash/real jobs, not asking for freebies/low pay. The guy with the money gets to be a dick, after all ;)

10 years, 2 months ago - Nick Hilton

Totally get the frustration, and, as someone who's posted job requests, I am guilty of occasionally not responding.

When I do respond, I try and get the conversation out of the SP (or CCP, or Mandy, or whatever) messenger service as soon as possible, as I find it much fiddlier to use and much harder to keep track of who's messaging me and when they/I have replied.

That may not sound logical, because the message service is quite simple, but I've always found it much easier to respond properly via email. So I'd definitely like to see an option, with SP job posts, or having responses via email, rather than SP messenger.

But I agree with the general consensus on here: we should make an effort to respond out of courtesy, even though a negative response is worth absolutely nothing.

10 years, 3 months ago - Juliet Plumptre

Its great, when they do get back to you, it just feels that you took the time to apply to them it would be nice for them to get back to you whether it be a no or a yes.

Sadly…and i come to earth with a big bump…as we all know a vast marjority dont cos they just dont have the time to reapply to every person the applied to the job. So they will only pick out the ones that have potential. I feel if you have not heard from them within 2-3 days ( but that does depend on when the job starts) then presume you have not got the job.

But with interviews to Kryi above me….Hi!! …Yes agree i think that is wrong too….very rude and disrespectful.

10 years, 2 months ago - Nick Hilton

I've found that, with the bigger London production companies/studios...etc, it's pretty standard for them to include a line on the application details saying "If you have not heard back by XXX you can assume your application was unsuccessful".

I've applied for plenty of positions with traditionally "big" companies, for which I've received neither acknowledgment of my application, nor notice of rejection.

10 years, 2 months ago - Richard Woodburn

Dan, your exactly right. Its all about professionalism and good business practice.

10 years, 5 months ago - Simon Fox

Gumtree used to be a fantastic aid in casting and crewing, but as they now charge near £20 per job advert it's not entirely worth it, especially as you'll find so many other websites and Facebook groups which are more useful and for the most part free.

10 years, 2 months ago - Dan Selakovich

@Nick Hilton That's unfortunate, Nick. I guess it's a buyer's market, but still...

10 years, 2 months ago - Dan Selakovich

@Paddy Robinson-Griffin Indeed, Paddy!

10 years, 2 months ago - Lachlan Ward

Will SP be expanding and refining the roles? They currently aren't up to a truly useful standard.

Grips and electrics being under the same heading for instance. And being able to select between gaffer and assistant but not Key Grip and grip or dolly grip...

It needs to happen.

10 years, 5 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

I have had some responses from adverts I've applied for. But I've also had no response from others. The later is more common. Very frustrating I know. Sometimes you feel that maybe they didn't get the message and you're tempted to contact them again... but then you also feel that might appear pushy.

But hey... it's what I've come to expect from SP adverts. If I get a response its a bonus.

And a big shout out to all those advertisers who did message me back, you know who you are :)

10 years, 5 months ago - Kelie Petterssen

Hi Richard,

Thank you for starting this discussion, SP completely agrees that this is an issue. Understandably, job listings may get an overwhelming number of applicants - but we still believe that it is good practice to reply to members, whether they have gotten the job or not.

As part of this, we are currently in the process of developing a new messaging system within production which will help with dealing with applications for both parties.

Best,

Kelie, SP.

10 years, 3 months ago - Juliet Plumptre

Sorry can i make it clear that some of them do get back to you….and of course some don't!!

10 years, 2 months ago - Richard Woodburn

I understand as now I've been posting for talent that you do get numerous responses for a single role, but I'm of the opinion that if they've taken the time out to look at your posting then you should respond accordingly, but that's just me as I'd like to be considered as a fair person. The person you let down this time may be the ideal person for a role next time

10 years, 5 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Likewise!!! Glad it's not just me ;-)

10 years, 5 months ago - Richard Woodburn

Glad to see I'm not the only one this happens to then

10 years, 4 months ago - Matt Jamie

if I put up a posting for a job i would respond to all applicants, as I know that's what people expect. As Paddy mentioned above, a system like CCP would be useful in this regard.

Conversely if I'm applying for work, once I've sent off an application for something, I forget about it - and I'd rather hear nothing than get a stock reply saying "The standard of applications was very high, unfortunately on this occasion...." - that's a waste of my time and gets my hopes up unnecessarily seeing the message in my inbox (people rarely title the email "You were unsuccessful in your application").

I don't think there's any need to get offended by not hearing anything or to take it personally. Perhaps I feel this way because I also work as an actor where one never hears anything back unless it's an offer of an audition/work. But for me a stock rejection letter doesn't make me feel better, more respected, more part of a community or anything else. And similarly a rejection which has been 'personally tailored to me' is no more useful than an obviously bulk reply (e.g. "Thanks for sending your reel - we really enjoyed watching it, especially your film XYZ - but we decided to go in a different stylistic direction" or some such). Though that tells me they flicked through my application, and looked at my stuff (which I would assume happened anyway) it doesn't really help me any more than hearing nothing!

I'm not hanging about checking my inbox to see if that expenses only gig has replied - if they want me, great, if not, good luck to them and their project; hopefully I'll get to watch it on SP soon.

10 years, 5 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Hi Kelie, this is something that casting call pro do quite well, you get applicants which you sort into yes/maybe/no piles, and you can send a different message to each of those piles. It means you can reply to 50 applicants in 10 minutes. Worth considering?

10 years, 2 months ago - Dan Selakovich

It's fairly common in America nowadays to not hear back. It's sad really. In the days before email, you got a nice rejection letter--and that takes a lot of trouble plus the cost of a stamp. And that was for paid positions. Comparatively, an email is nothing.

I think more often than not, professional productions reply. Amateur productions do not (and I'm including first timers in this). I think the reason for professionalism here in Los Angeles, is that somebody applying to be a P.A. this month, just might be your boss next month. Or that DP that doesn't fit your style this time, may be completely right on the next project.

It's not only polite to respond, it's good business practice. It's a way to cultivate relationships in a business that's all about relationships--especially when budgets are falling so drastically people need to feel that they are valued.