Time for some handy-dandy audition tips! As I do quite a few casting calls each season, there are some common mistake I see happen again and again. Do you want to avoid getting filed into the “NOPE” pile during a casting call? Don’t let these happen to/ be you:
I shared these tips recently and even though it may seem ‘duh, everyone knows that’ you’d be surprised how many ‘veteran’ voice actors still make these mistakes!:
- Didn’t follow instructions
- Wrong subject header and/or wrong file naming scheme
- Blank email body text and/or no subject header
- Wrong audio file format (ex. they ask for .mp3 and you sent .m4a)
- Audio clips/peaks or is too quiet to make out
- Room tone/booth sample is noisy (does it sound like a jet plane is next door?)
- Sent demo reel instead of the custom read audition file
- Slated your audition when asked not to
- Sent too many files (ex. You recorded three takes, but were instructed to include all takes in one file, but you send three seperate files)
- Did not answer questions asked (ex. Time Zone? Availability in ___ timespan, social media links, etc)
- Send an audition for another unrelated project (yes, this happens more than you’d think!) or the body text is about the wrong project
- and….Didn’t follow instructions
Seriously on the #5 and #6 items especially… I’m always shocked at how many files are submitted and it’s obvious the applicant never listened to their own audio before uploading it. Always, always, ALWAYS listen to your audition files before sending to a client/casting call. Headphones on! Do you think your booth sound is nice and quiet? Open that puppy up with Spectral view. If it looks, and sounds, like a motorcycle engine is in the background of every file, or a loud refrigerator, or it’s clear that you recorded from the wrong microphone in your setup (it happens)…. fix that before hitting Submit/Send!
Wishing all Yinz Yall the best in your audition endeavors! I look forward to hearing from you…. in properly formatted submissions obviously;) Speaking of which, check out the latest casting call for Piper’s Pet Cafe!
#vo #casting #advice #readtheinstructions #voiceauditions #voice #audition #CastingCall