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Liese's avatar

Thanks for this -- spot on and appreciate your insight! I'm one who has discussed this in hushed tones and had the same experience as the first one you mentioned. I made the mistake of buying the bundle.

Lesson learned and I tell others now to skip the bundle until after at least one session; figure out if there is a connection with the coach first.

Gwen Poynor's avatar

I know her too. And, I'm sorry you went through that. IMO, you could coach her. (in more than just performance!) There are 2 well-known male "coaches" who treated me similarly, but I continued coaching AND doing a demo w/ them, b/c I was embarrassed to stop the sessions. I blame no one but myself. As you said, ASK the questions: 1. WHEN was your last paid commercial/political ad/medical narration?? 2. Are you ACTIVELY working and auditioning every day? 3. Will you turn your cell phone OFF and be present during our session?? If not, move on.

Jessa McGee's avatar

I know exactly who you were talking about with that first one, and while we very briefly worked on copy, I felt talked down to the entire time and like what my previous teachers and coaches had taught me was being dismissed or invalidated because she was older. Not more experienced; just older. And I have ADHD, so I understand getting distracted, but there's a time you push yourself to make that extra effort to focus, and I definitely didn't feel that. I would be angrier about it if I had spent money, but I had won the session in a drawing. I'm thankful for that, because it was eye-opening but not wallet-draining. I'm all for paying coaches their due, but I want to get what I pay for (and her rates aren't cheap).

Tracy Ortolano's avatar

Yes to all of this! It physically hurts me to read those scenarios - they are real folks! I wish I had an article like this when I was starting out! I'm definitely keeping those questions in mind for my next coach! Thanks for this!