Audition Mindset: Standing Out Without Overthinking It.

Auditioning is an adventure to say the very least. Some voice over auditions ask for crazy spec, and when the voice direction is longer than the script itself, I have to wonder what they’re thinking. Maybe it’s a case of “direction by committee.” Sally wants it warm and endearing, but Bob wants it energetic, like a rallying cry. And Jamie, well, he wants something wistful, as though you’re standing on a beach, and like they’re your own thoughts rolling out of your head.

Everybody wants to stand out and we need to to get booked, but by the time you’re done twisting yourself into a pretzel for Sally, Bob, and Jamie… you’ll be unrecognizable even to your own mother! You spend so much time putting on an act and nit-picking every syllable that it can’t possibly sound natural. Chasing what you think they’ll perceive as perfection isn’t very real. And real is what books. They want to hear you. So what to do?

Really, it’s less about being flawless and more about connection, confidence, and clarity. If you’re talking about it, people want to know you’re an expert in it so they can trust you.

Slow down and really read the specs. What words do they emphasize? Latch on to those, because they’re likely the most important. Throw the rest away. I try to come up with two or three words that resonate with me personally. That’s enough information to keep in your brain at one time. Any more, and you’ll lose focus.

Bear in mind your innate qualities. I’m very warm, sometimes to a fault, so when I settle on “warmth” as a bit of direction, I actually mostly ignore that part. Warmth is going to come out anyway; I can’t help it, so there’s no need to put it front and center.

Then I remind myself what I’m auditioning for. A commercial spot is different from a corporate narration voice over, and that difference leaves room for creativity or humor.

How do your voice acting keywords play into the interpretation of the script?

Is there an implicit goal in the copy? Maybe you’re simply educating, informing, or selling. That can tell you where to pace emphasis.

Once you’ve found your simpler direction, perform and listen back. Maybe you could be a bit more positive in one section, or slow down a bit on that important line.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve recorded a take just to learn about the script and said to myself, “Hey, that wasn’t half bad,” only to realize I wasn’t rolling. UGH! Sometimes when the script is super fresh, magic happens on the first take. And since we’re in the digital age it’s not like you’re burning tape, I say “roll, baby, roll.”  When you’re not trying so hard, sometimes it all comes together. Click record, and explore!

What you don’t want to do is fall into the 1,000 Take Rabbit Hole. You do it and do it and do it again, hoping to strike the perfect balance. Newsflash: there isn’t one. And your many takes probably aren’t all that unique. By now, it’s overworked and totally inauthentic. You’re better off stepping away for a bit and coming back grounded and human.

Remember, if you make a genuine connection with the script, you’re more likely to book. Casting directors don’t want technically perfect reads. They want to feel like they could reach out and touch your arm. They want to feel like there’s a real person there.

And go easy with the processing. You can’t EQ your way into a booking. Many studios have engineers on staff who will want to shape your read just so, so leave them room to work.

And what about two takes? You can go back to the direction. Was there something in the specs that didn’t speak as clearly to you, but still gives you something to play with? Try one with a new approach, or try one with different pacing and pauses. If you deliver two unique takes, it says, “Hey, I’m more than a one-trick pony,” and directors know they can pull you in different directions.

Just make sure if you post two takes, they truly are unique. If not, you’re just boring. And if you honestly can’t conjure a second read that’s original, then don’t. You’ll look worse wasting everyone’s time than if you unapologetically give it your one best shot.

And let’s not forget the value of pre-life. Those little ad-libs can really set the tone and put your voice effortlessly into the modulation you’d naturally use when talking about the product, service, or organization.

When you’re posting, check your communication for clarity. Make sure you addressed the client’s needs, answered questions about availability, your audio is well named… and click send.

Then forget it. Don’t obsess. Just move on to the next audition. The more you audition and the more you book, the more confidence you’ll have. If you’re building your voice acting skills every day, the right script will find you. Be patient, be professional, and set reasonable expectations for yourself.

A quick note on direction: I always offer clients the option to join the session via patched recording session in my P2P auditions. Getting live direction in real time gives me reassurance that I’m giving the client what they want and not guessing and crossing my fingers for luck. Now, I’ve been around patched sessions for nearly 30 years, so it doesn’t rattle my cage.

If you’re newer and patched sessions make you a little nervous, here’s my advice: join a voice acting workout group. It’s a less formal setting to get comfortable taking and receiving direction. I can’t say enough about Global Voice Acting Academy’s (GVAA) membership with two coaching workouts each month. They’re wonderful and give you a sense of camaraderie while you grow your confidence behind the mic.