Auditioning Tips from A Seasoned Voice Over Actor

Voice over work has tons of opportunities based on your style and expertise.  However, when it comes to auditioning, it can be overwhelming.

Unlike other acting professions, it is just your voice being reviewed and how you choose to read the piece makes all the difference between being hired or being passed over.  There are things that you can do to prepare before you arrive at or digitally submit the audition that will improve your chances of being hired.

The List of Jobs

Choose jobs that best showcase your style, your tone, and your training.  While it is good to add to your list of possibilities, some voice-over actor jobs may not be the best fit.  If you like nonfiction audiobook reads, then look for more of those types of jobs to gain employment, and then look for other jobs to try out to expand your resume.

Review the Script

Read and study the script multiple times to get familiar with the words, the pronunciation, and any group of words that may get your tongue-tied.  When it comes to specifics make sure that you are saying the names of cities, places, etc. the correct way.  The best impression is getting it correct at the voice-over audition without a correction.  It will show that you did your homework and took it seriously.

Take Notice of the Clues

In a script, there are hints about the character, product, or piece.  When you are representing a character, you will see the style that they speak, the tone, or the emotions.  When the script is about a product, it is about making that product stand out, a must-have.  However, it must not be overly salesy, or you will not book the job.  Scripts have details in the text and subtext that a seasoned voice-over actor will look for and so should you.

Keep in mind that you have your voice style and that within the guidelines and clues you are giving them your unique voice.  It is always a blend of giving them what they want and giving them a fresh way of hearing it with your sound.

The Delivery

Many times, the client will have a very specific idea about what they want to hear at the audition.  Practice the delivery using their notes.  You can also have some alternative versions of your own for the audition.  However, they may never hear these based on the notes they give or details that you get when meeting them.  Be flexible.

Take A Deep Breath

Nerves can make a skilled voice crack under pressure.  Before you read take a deep breath and it will bring a calmness and readiness to your performance.

Above All Take Direction

There many times that you have given an excellent read and they will give you feedback. Listen to the feedback from the client and agent, take it in, and then give it to them.  Feedback and notes are not a bad sign.  They have some guidelines for specifics that they want.  If you can take the feedback and re-do the read with it, you have a stronger chance of getting the job.  It also shows that you can take direction and make it work.  A voice-over actor that is easy to work with and will give the best work.

Don’t Let a No Get You Down

Voice-over acting is a tough field, especially when you are starting out.  There are many jobs out there that will be perfect for your voice and style.  Take notes and always work on honing your skills and finding good matches for what you bring to the voice-over acting industry.

Finding Your Unique Signature Voice to Define Your Voice Over Niche

When you are in the voice over business it is a common question that is asked of you or you may be asking yourself, “What is my signature sound”?

Finding your niche

Just like an actor who you notice is always in comedies, or action movies, they know what genre they fit best in.  Finding your voice style, your genres where you can make your voice work best for you and in turn your clients.

If you are unsure about where to start, ask yourself some questions.  Keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers, just your answers.

·         Age Range – When you read different characters what age range do they fit in?  Can you sound younger or older than your age?

·         Sex of the Characters – Can you do the voice of the opposite sex?  Or do you stick to male or female-only?

·         Traits – Does your voice have a serious tone?  Warm?  Cheerful?  Inviting?  Deep?  It's about pairing your voice to adjectives that best describe them.  Once you have a list of these adjectives, it is easy to translate them into characters and into genres.  If you have a serious voice, then non-fiction books, or PSA’s with a seriously important message will be perfect for you.

Do Your Personality and Signature Voice Match?

Your voice over work will often coincide with your interests and personality.  If your personality and signature voice matchup, it can be very easy to start working right away.  Whereas, some voice-over actors find that they are consistently hired for a niche, that is not what they are naturally drawn to.  One way to think of it is as your “alter ego” is your signature voice.  Incredibly famous singers often refer to their stage presences as an alter ego.

Multiple Avenues or A Specific Niche

Once you answer some of these questions, you may find that you can transform your voice into several different characters offering you a greater list of opportunities.  It is great if you are able to adapt to the job and gives you opportunity to work more.  However, narrowing down to a specific niche helps you create your brand and establish a well-known reputation.  A brand and reputation that will get you noticed and hired without auditioning if that is the style the client is looking for. Sometimes all you need to do is listen to your clients review of your work. What terminology do they use when they describe your work? What kind of work keeps repeating itself? It may be more obvious than it appears at first. When you hone in on that... make that your signature sound and work to further refine it. 

Your Signature Voice is Your Money Maker

Your signature voice is what gets people to hire you, it is your money maker.  It tends to be the vocal sound that you deliver on a narration; it is the one that comes most naturally to you.  It is the one that you should consider your go-to.  While you may have trained and mastered fun cartoon styles, but the voice that is the most natural is the one that is your signature and it is what you will be most hired for. 

Discover Your Particular Voice Over Qualities

Finding your signature voice and style may take a while.  Don’t worry, the most important thing is to discover your particular voice qualities and sound.  There are so many opportunities in the voice-over industry that you will be successful by using what you have. Once you've got a grip on those qualities, keep your focus on that sound and direct your marketing efforts in that direction.