- It takes time and practice.
- Make sure to make adjustments.
- Be receptive and relaxed.
- Take care of your voice!
1. Many Takes
For most jobs, you are asked to either send in your demo reel or to audition. The producer chooses based on one or the other. A demo reel is less nerve-wracking, because when you come in for an audition you have to perform on the spot.
You usually do 10 takes at first. Now I get it in 5. If you’ve practiced, you may nail it on the first take. Some students do 30 or 40 at home, which seems frustrating, but that 40th take might be great, and they’re proud of it.
2. The Call-Back
For an audition, when you get a call back, it’s usually between you and one other candidate. You should ask the producer a couple of questions about what they liked in that last audition, and what they’re looking for. You can hopefully adjust your voice and simply nail it for them. It’s mostly just figuring out what it is they want, and adjusting your delivery.
3. In Studio Personality
They do not want someone who is going to be a difficult to work with. Non-prima donna, non-drama. People who are laid back and can take direction. Someone who can take criticism and feedback, and make those adjustments. Don’t take anything personally; it’s not about that.
If you make a mistake, you need to pick it back up. They don’t want you to waste their time. Sometimes they might even be testing you, just to see what you’re made out of. Also if you stumble over something, and if they ask for your feedback, then take that opportunity to edit the script.
4. Going to the Studio
You’ll want to warm up your voice, probably thirty minutes or so before you go into record. Most will be scheduled early during the day. (Unless they want that gravely tired sound, then you can record later in the day.)
You want to practice, but you don’t want to over practice the script because you don’t want to get stuck. Arrive ten minutes early. They might want to do a sound check before the producer gets there.
At the end of it, don’t bolt out of there. Make sure you have all the takes so they’re not missing a single word. Make sure they have everything they need, and be friendly with everyone at the session. The audio engineer is important because they have a lot of clients: definitely give them a card.
Afterwards, I send a 15-30 day invoice, which kind of depends on the client’s billing cycles. Make sure you don’t go to a concert the night before. You should be taking care of your voice!
