When you see a job listed and the breakdown contains some of the most atrocious spelling you've ever seen, does it make you more likely to ignore the job or do you give it a go?
Sometimes I think, they can't be all that professional if they can't spell professional!
...but skimming through the postings,it seems, whether we were bothered by spelling mistakes or not, none of us here would let a good opportunity like this pass us by???
- In which case, I guess weir all on the same paige !
In a business like ours bad spelling is going to stand out. Personally speaking, I hate bad spelling and will form preconceptions of the person in question ( rightly or wrongly ). No doubt Agents, Casting Directors etc do the same. Bad spelling smacks of amateurism and general sloppiness.
Then again, no-one is accountable for their own shortcomings in today's society, everyone seems to be a bloody victim with a sob story. Its simple, if you can't spell..learn to.
People in the profession make judgements about our professionalism all the time; this will be based on the way we present ourselves (and how we behave) - usually before they know us at all. Why should it be any different from the actors' side of the casting table?
Would you expect a Casting Director to overlook poor spelling and presentation in a covering letter? Would you expect them to say "well, that doesn't look as if they've bothered to read it through before sending it and perhaps they're not very good at spelling poor things, but I won't make any judgements about whether or not they take a professional approach to the business until I know them better".
Of course, in a totally self-interested way, I would overlook poor spelling if it was an opportunity I didn't want to pass up. I'd still consider it sloppy presentation though.
If a CD knew you were brilliant they wouldn't care whether or not you could spell. However, if they don't know you from Adam (who really is brilliant by the way) then they will have to make judgements from what is in front of them. For SOME people, poorly presented written work looks unprofessional. When you/we/one is putting material out to be judged/responded to, doesn't it make sense to try not to offend those people to whom it DOES matter?
"People in the profession make judgements about our professionalism all the time; this will be based on the way we present ourselves (and how we behave) - usually before they know us at all. Why should it be any different from the actors' side of the casting table?
"
"What if you wasnt angry about spelling mistakes, or if people have or havnt trained, or how well they 'know the industry,' (or what colour skin they have or their traditions and faith...)"
Perhaps I'm turning into my father. He was a great writer of letters (far more eloquent than I am). When he wrote a letter to a company asking for clarification and had no reply he wrote the next one on a piece of card and sent it to the CEO saying that he felt obliged to write a stiff letter...
Passion is a great thing in this business, long may we all continue to feel passionate! Spaced out hippy and old fogey alike. Providing we can spell it of course...
"Originated in the British parliament in the 18th century as a contraction of 'hear him, hear him'. It is still often heard there although it is often used ironically these days."
Right. Time I did something more productive! Bye for now!
Gotta add my 2 pence worth. Let's see...if ad says:
Established Company - Paid Job - Bad Spelling
...I give them the benefit of the doubt, they could have asked anybody in the company to put up that ad... forgivable
Student or Low Budget Film - Unpaid Job - Bad Spelling
...I'm thinking if they can't spell then their film quality may suck...
Elitist? Nah I don't think so...just playing it safe. It's a bit daunting to turn up at a casting only to find the filmmakers are not quite so professional...I've been to productions where the shots haven't been planned, or there's no lighting at all etc., good for a laugh but the fun kinda ends there.
Just for the record I wasn't putting anyone down or looking down my nose at anyone for their spelling.
It was simply an observation to start a discussion topic.
I did not say "I absolutely hate people personally who can't spell"
I believe I said "SOMETIMES, I THINK, they can't be all that professinal, what does everyone else think?"
Don't really appreciate the swipes, and yes Colin, they are swipes!
Honestly, your last sentence about wanting an example... "oh wait you can't" - are you honestly implying now that I was lying about seeing one??
Why would someone bother doing that?
The tube example was inserted because it was as ridiculous as suggesting I would contact a Casting Director or some other to correct their spelling. Again, this was just a discussion to vent a pet peeve and see what everyone else thought, not to go changing the world.
I agree with your point about being professional yourself in the face of unprofessional circumstances but still .... you don't need to be snippy to make it.
Last time I'll be posting on this forum. There is way too many nasty people on here.
Good luck to you all, with some of the attitudes around, you're going to need it.
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