Cultivating a Professional Mindset for Auditions
Jun 8, 2017 3:12:13 GMT -8
Anairis Q, Rebekah Amber Clark, and 6 more like this
Post by Lady Stardust ★ on Jun 8, 2017 3:12:13 GMT -8
While auditioning for online projects is usually a bit different than auditioning for professional industry-level projects, forming good auditioning habits early on will serve you well in the long run. Many of us who started out in the online voice acting communities have had more than our fair share of memories we look back on and cringe at when we think of how we handled auditions when we were newbies, or simply things we all wish we knew starting out. So, here are some tips to help you approach auditions like a pro!
Know that you are going to spend a lot of time auditioning, and odds are you'll only book a small fraction of those roles.
Auditioning is a major part of this career path and you should be doing everything you can to audition constantly in order to increase your chances of getting work. But actors who are used to getting cast a lot in amateur/hobby spaces, or even lower-budget online spaces, often find themselves in for a shock when they get into agencies or studio talent pools and find themselves competing against hundreds or even thousands of other actors for a job.
The hard truth is that you will not book the majority of the roles you audition for. But remember, that's simply the nature of the entertainment field. Even well-established actors that you may look up to very likely have a booking ratio that's much lower than you'd imagine it to be! "Rejection" is simply the nature of the job (but remember, it's not about 'rejection', it's about 'selection'. The fact that you didn't book a role doesn't make you a failure---it simply means that the casting director found someone else to be better suited for that particular role. And sometimes it's just going to be a numbers game. You're "throwing spaghetti at the wall" and seeing what sticks.
Treat the audition like you would the job (but don't overthink it).
In most cases, your audition is your first impression the client or casting director will have, so if your audition is sloppy, it will reflect poorly on your ability to do the job. Listen back to your audition and check that you are making clear acting choices that are coming through in your reads. If you sound like you didn't bother to glance over the specs and started reading lines off the page without really thinking about what you're saying, that will come through in the read. That being said, spending TOO long nitpicking every part of your audition can make things worse and leave your read sounding hollow, so don't be afraid to go with your gut instinct on the acting. Prepare, but don't over-prepare.
Remember that when you audition, you're not JUST auditioning for that specific character in that specific production. You are essentially auditioning for the casting director and/or client in general and showing them what you can do. There are many cases where a casting director may not have a role for someone in that particular project, but because the actor always turns in impressive reads, they'll be kept in mind for other things down the line. Know that whether or not you get the role, your audition is being heard and potentially considered for the future. If an actor always turns in quality auditions, it's not unheard of for the casting director to even recommend them elsewhere, regardless of whether or not they happen to book those jobs.
Always pay close attention to formatting, labeling, and sending directions.
If you ask a casting director their biggest pet peeves, one topic that comes up again and again involves actors not labeling their audition files correctly. A lot of this stuff may seem trivial or insignificant, but file naming conventions are there for a reason – they help the casting director organize the auditions that come in and ensure everyone gets heard and considered.
When you fail to label your files correctly, this creates a hassle for the casting director because they then have to go in and rename them for you (no, CharacterName_YourName.mp3 and Character Name - Your Name.mp3 will not show up the same way when sorted in a list.) Furthermore, if the casting director is very busy and receiving many submissions, they may simply throw out auditions that show the person can't follow directions (reading and following all instructions is very important once you are actually cast for a project.)
Make sure your audition doesn't have any glaring technical flaws.
Listen over your files before sending them and---while you don't have to edit meticulously in most cases---make sure you've cut out any mistakes, partial takes, long unnecessary pauses/"dead space", and distracting noises. If the final recording is to be done remotely, record from the same setup you'd actually be recording on if you booked the role (if you're away and need to record on a travel setup for the audition, indicate this somewhere in the file name or audition email.)
A good rule of thumb is also to normalize your audio to -3 dB or at least make it somewhere in the middle volume-wise---you don't want the person listening to jump out of their chair with an ear-splittingly loud audition, or have one so soft they have to turn it way up to hear anything. If you don't want to worry about normalizing, set your gain appropriately to where your levels are good right off the bat. The file should be clean, but avoid excessive processing (see: How much should you edit your auditions?)
If sending multiple takes on an audition, make sure you have something substantially different to offer for each.
Unless multiple takes are requested (which sometimes happens---again, always read the instructions), it's generally best to pick your strongest take of each line and go with that. However, if you have a couple of different options that could both realistically work for the character, it's okay to send more than one (making sure your best take is first in case only one of them is listened to.) Three takes should be the absolute maximum---remember, the more you do, the longer it takes for the casting director to review your files, so you want to make sure that each one is worth their time to listen to.
Remember that if you voluntarily submit a second or third take, each take should be an entirely separate pass / separate approach to the character, not just a slight variation on the line reads or slight difference in pitch or tempo. If your takes sound virtually identical to each other, there is no reason for them to be separate takes. Read more here.
Don't submit for things you KNOW you aren't right for.
Challenging yourself is good, healthy, and encouraged---auditioning for things outside of your usual range or comfort zone can help you learn and grow as an actor! However, if you know that there is simply no way you can make it remotely believable or fitting, it's better not to waste your (and the casting director's) time auditioning for those specific roles.
You know your range better than anyone else, but - for example - if your voiceprint realistically sounds 40s-50s, you probably wouldn't be submitting for small children, and if you naturally sound like a child, you probably wouldn't be submitting for elderly characters with textured voices. Now, if those are the only characters available to submit for, you may sometimes make a calculated choice to still submit if you think there may be other characters they are casting that aren't up for audition.
For accents/dialects, it's best to submit only if you can do an accent that is passable and consistent (and if the audition specifies "authentic", don't submit if you aren't actually from that region). It's also good to think critically about whether or not you are appropriate for the character in cases where representation is desired/important (for example, with characters of color or trans characters, it's probably best to avoid reading if you do not accurately represent those identities).
You can maximize your chances by submitting for as many roles as you think you could realistically fit, but it's generally better to put forth your strengths rather than your weaknesses.
Audition emails should be kept short and sweet.
You don't need to go into your life story when submitting an audition. A simple, “Hi, my name is ____ and I'm submitting my audition for ____. Thanks!” is perfectly sufficient, unless they ask you to include additional info such as a demo or resume. If it's a project you really want to be a part of, it's okay to include a little note about how you're excited to read for it, but don't suck up, beg or seem desperate! If you are the right choice, your audition should speak for itself.
Don't put yourself down.
A common mistake for newbie actors is to feel the need to put themselves down out of insecurity or hoping that it will deflect any potential criticism. But the screenshot in this post is an educational opportunity on what not to do when hoping your audition is considered. When you think about it, why would a client or casting director want to hire someone who has no confidence in their work? Would you hire a mechanic to fix your car if they admitted they were "new and not very good yet"?
Part of getting better is simply getting out there and auditioning, so even if you don't have confidence in your work yet... fake it til you make it! If you say things like "I suck", it puts a negative impression of you in the casting director's mind right off the bat and makes them think your audition won't be worth consideration for casting. If you truly think it sounds bad, try recording another pass at it, or ask a peer to give you some honest feedback before you submit. But also keep in mind that many times we are are own worst critics, so that audition you think is "garbage" might actually end up getting you cast!
Only ask for an extension if you really need it.
Audition deadlines are there for a reason, and sometimes (like in the case of many professional casting calls) you might even have less than 24 hours to submit. Most times, if you can't make the cutoff, you'll just have to pass and go for the next opportunity instead. However, if you have a truly extenuating circumstance, some producers are flexible enough that they'll be willing to let you submit a couple hours or even a couple days late as long as you ask them ahead of time. Of course, no one is owed an extension, and they are doing you a favor if they let you submit late, so make sure to send in that audition ASAP because it means they're waiting on you before making a casting decision!
If you received a personal invitation to audition for a project but don't want to read for it, let them know you're passing.
To be clear, you do not need to inform someone that you're passing on an audition if it's sent to a mailing list or large group of people unless they request that you do so (in fact, doing so might annoy them!) But if they personally invite YOU to audition, it's polite to give them a heads-up if you won't be submitting so that they're not waiting around for your audition or wondering if you got the message.
There are many reasons you might pass on an audition---perhaps the pay rate isn't sufficient, you're too busy to send it in or wouldn't have time to record the full project, you're uncomfortable with some of the content, you don't think you fit any of the characters, or you're just not that interested. That's completely valid, and you don't even have to give a reason for declining. You can say something like "Hey, thanks so much for thinking of me, but I won't be submitting for this one. Feel free to keep me in mind for future opportunities!" If you can't submit because of a conflict during the recording dates, for instance, it may be good to let them know the reason in that circumstance just in case they're willing to make an exception.
Try not to burn bridges when turning down an audition or role offer.
Even if you feel offended by an audition offer---for example, the pay rate is extremely low, or it contains subject matter you're not comfortable with---it will rarely serve you well to act haughty or indignant in your reply. Remember, the casting director or project coordinator is simply doing their job by sending out the audition, and may not even have any say over the rates or terms. As mentioned above, you're welcome to simply not submit if you don't want to, but if you are personally invited, then it's best to decline with grace and professionalism. After all, you never know who that casting director might end up working with in the future!
If you receive a private casting call through e-mail, never forward the audition sides to anyone without the director's prior permission.
It's fairly common to be part of a closed casting pool or talent roster that you receive e-mailed auditions from. However, many times these auditions are confidential and/or sent only to a specific group of people, and it is considered very bad form (and a potential breach of NDA) to share the sides with others without permission. If you know an actor you think would be great for one of the parts but isn't yet part of the talent pool, you may send the casting director an e-mail recommendation with that person's contact info and a link to their demo/website. Remember that anyone you recommend also reflects on you, so be careful about doing this and also, only do so sparingly unless you already have an established working relationship with the person casting.
Don't post or hint on social media about what you just auditioned for.
It's a given that any working actor will be auditioning on a regular basis. Sometimes for very exciting jobs. But keep in mind that the expectation of confidentiality also extends to the auditioning process. Unless a casting call was posted openly and publicly, don't tweet about how you auditioned for that anticipated new console game or make a Facebook post about the new anime series you auditioned for. It can cause issues with clients and is a poor reflection on your professionalism.
No one is entitled to a review of their auditions.
Most of the time, you will never know why you didn't book a role, and it's generally not the norm for producers to give out feedback on auditions unless they want to hear you send a retake with a few changes. Asking, or worse, demanding to know what they thought of your audition puts them in an awkward position and many times they are too busy to do so. Furthermore, it's only common in amateur/hobby spaces and it is not the norm in the professional world.
If you really want a critique, you can send it to a mentor or friend and ask for their input, or add a note when you submit your audition saying something like “I'm open to hearing any feedback if you think I can improve or would like to hear another take!” If they DO take the time to send you a critique, consider it a professional courtesy on their part and accept it graciously---do not argue or get defensive even if there's something you don't agree with.
Do not "follow up" on your audition or ask if you were cast.
This is considered poor professional etiquette. The casting director does not have time to respond to hundreds of people letting them know whether or not they booked the part (and it's probably best they don't, anyway.) When you submit an audition, let it go and move onto the next opportunity. If they want to book you, you will hear back, and then it will be a pleasant surprise.
Disappointment is natural, but never display poor sportsmanship on social media or another public forum.
Even when you know how common rejection is in the voice acting world, it doesn't mean you're not going to feel bad sometimes about losing out on a role or project you really wanted. That's okay! But whatever you do, don't send an e-mail or make a pity post in the audition thread about not getting cast (“Oh well, it never seems to happen for me, but good luck on the project I guess!”, “Was hoping to get this one, but it wasn't in the cards this time”, etc.) This will aggravate most producers/casting directors and make them feel as if they are being guilt tripped for not casting you, plus it looks terribly unprofessional on your part. You don't need to reply at all, but if you feel the need to say something, leave it at “congrats to the cast”/”best of luck on the project!” And if you really need to vent, do so privately to a trusted friend – don't post on social media where others involved could potentially see.
If you're not getting auditions, don't act needy or desperate.
It is natural to be frustrated if you hear an audition went out that you didn't get. It's OK to "cold submit" to talent rosters in hopes of being considered for future projects, but make sure you're going through the proper channels (for example, if the studio has a public submission form, don't track down the casting director on their personal Facebook and message them to ask for auditions). Limit any "following up" to no more than once every six months, and only if you have something new to update them on. When you think about it, busy working actors are not constantly hitting people up asking for more work---so if you bother a casting director every couple of months to ask if they have something for you, it will simply make you appear needy and as if your skills aren't in demand already.
Furthermore, just because you don't get auditions from a certain studio or talent pool, don't automatically assume that you are "blacklisted" or that the casting director hates you. The currently industry is extremely competitive and highly saturated with talent. They might simply not be looking for any new talent in your category right now, or perhaps your skills aren't fully competitive at the moment but will be a year or two down the line. Unless you are given a specific reason to assume it's personal, it's probably not personal.
The best way to be considered for new opportunities is to focus on being a great actor, and consistently turn in competitive, high-quality auditions. When you're fantastic at what you do, people will take notice...even if it takes time.
Do your best on the audition, and then try to forget about it.
If you don't get cast, the majority of the time it simply means that someone else happened to be a better fit for the role than you were. This happens all the time, and that's okay! It doesn't necessarily mean that you did badly---not getting cast can be a result of any number of additional factors.
Factors outside of your control may include:
-You did well, but someone else happened to knock it out of the park – COMMON!
-You aren't, or don't sound, age-appropriate for the role (too young or old)
-You didn't fit the vocal type they are looking for
-There is already someone else in the cast who sounds too similar to you
-(For roles with accents/dialects/other languages) They want people who naturally have that dialect, are native speakers of the language, or are ethnically appropriate for the role
-They wanted to “celebrity cast” a known name such as a famous YouTuber (although, that person may have still been a great choice for the role regardless of popularity)
Factors inside of your control may include:
-Your acting choices were not as strong as others who submitted
-Your reads didn't fit the style of the project (for example, a parody cartoon is going to have a different acting style overall than a survival horror game, and reads that are appropriate for one type of project won't necessarily work for another)
-You didn't follow directions for submitting, or submitted after the deadline
-Your recording quality was poor or had major technical issues. Even if you have a great voice and great acting, most people won't cast someone with a bad microphone because it will bring down the quality of the whole production.
You may have been very close to booking a role and never even know it.
It's fairly common for casting directors to have a "shortlist" of the top submissions they are considering for a role. This might be narrowed down to five or ten selections, but sometimes as few as two or three! Many times, the casting director will present the shortlisted auditions to the end client, who will then make their final selections. But unless you end up being the actor picked for the role, chances are you'll never know it (unless they happen to do callbacks).
So before you get discouraged about not booking a role you wanted and feel that auditioning was a waste of time, remember that you don't know what's going on behind the scenes. You might come up in the casting director's shortlist every time you read for them, but the end client always happened to pick someone else, or they might be hearing your auditions waiting until they finally have the right role for you. In fact, you literally could have been the very next choice.
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