Auditions are a huge part of voiceover work. Rob Kaye shares three key steps to prepare, perform and follow up so you stand out to the casting person.
Auditions are a huge part of being a voiceover actor. They’re your opportunity to stand in front of the mic and show the casting person what you got! Whether you have to play a woman excited about her new herbal shampoo or a mysterious guy doing a movie trailer for next summer’s blockbuster, your job as a voiceover talent is to be prepared and give it your best shot!
As I’m walking into an audition I remind myself of 3 basic things… (1.) Practice the Copy
When I arrive I sign in the casting sheet, grab the copy, and then, find a quiet place to study it. I let the other guys chit chat about the weather while I’m rehearsing. I read the words aloud several times, improvising with my own ideas and getting ready for the audition until I feel I’m really prepared. Then, I can go and talk with the guys about the game last night!
(2.) Plant Your Feet
Once I see the casting person, I introduce myself or try and connect quickly to let them know I see them as a person and not just some job giver. Then I get into the recording booth, stand in front of the mic, and I plant my feet like oak trees! I ground myself so that my voice resonates from my diaphragm, my gut. When I do this, I have better presence and it sounds much better.
(3.) Don’t Leave Until They Say Goodbye
This is a biggie. When you record that first take, the casting person almost always wants to give you some direction and have you do another one, or two or five. So after you do a couple of takes, don’t run out of the booth! You want to be present for every single take they want to give you. I stay in the booth until they actually say, “Okay, Rob, thanks!” Once inside, plant your feet and don’t put your hand on the doorknob until they say they’re done.
There are so many variables to booking a gig, but these three best practices have been very valuable for me. Best of luck to you and your voiceover career! Rob Kaye is a voiceover actor, personal coach and inspirational speaker. He’s recorded commercials and promos for HBO, Nintendo, Nick at Nite, The Travel Channel, and many other clients. Recently, Rob co-hosted a national show on Sirius Satellite Radio. He also just published his first spoken word coaching album, “You Are The Hero,” available now at www.cdbaby.com/cd/robkaye.
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