Auditioning is central to a voice artist’s life and to your success in the business. Especially in the beginning of your career, you’ll be spending time auditioning more than anything else. And that’s OK. While you audition, you improve your editing skills, your script reading skills and you have a chance to perform real scripts for real casting directors.
So, how do you improve your chances of success in getting hired? There a few key tips to keep in mind at every audition session.
Follow the instructions. Casting directors will always provide instructions. Read them through…twice! Make sure you’re listening to what they want. They may tell you what type of sound they are looking for, sometimes they tell you the time limit for the script, they will tell you what format the audio file should be in and they will tell you how to submit your audition. Follow every instruction to the letter to ensure your audition isn’t eliminated immediately just for not following directions.
Use your script reading skills. The central, most important thing you can do for your audition is to bring the script to life. Read the script through, understand who your character is, what are they thinking or feeling about what is going on in the script. Where should you put pauses to give the most meaning to the script. Then, record the script, listen to it, decide where to make changes and re-record. Do this until you really, really think it sounds perfect.
Offer a top-quality recording. In addition to making sure you have no background noise or echo, clean up your audio even more by removing any mouth clicks, make sure the breaths are appropriate and your levels are comfortable. Your audition should be top quality and ready to use. This takes more time to prepare, but shows that you have high standards and can produce professional audio.
If there is an opportunity to include a short note with your audition, take that opportunity to briefly introduce yourself. Explain why you’re interested in this script in particular, explain your turn-around time and how you handle re-takes. Leave them feeling like you are a professional they can depend on.
Use your auditioning time to improve your skills. If you are constantly working to improve your own skills, your chances of getting hired will improve. Audition, audition, audition and good luck to you!