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AUDITIONS Wasting Time With Too Many Takes? 30-Day Challenge Can Boost Bookings  By Celia SiegelVoice Over Talent Manager Are you spending hours doing 15 voice over audition takes? It’s not doing you any favors. In fact, it’s hurting your chance of landing the gig. By take 15, the decision has already been made. That was the consensus when I asked three producers recently, "Who gets the job?” They all said finding good voice talent isn't a problem because there are so many talented people out there. It’s a matter of who gets it done the fastest. PRODUCERS NEED IT NOW Producers are always under pressure - they always need it NOW. Translation: the quicker they receive your audition, the better your chances. Of course, it goes without saying (but we will say it anyway): It is your responsibility to have the sharpest skill set possible going in - being dull isn't an option.The producers I spoke with also said that if you don’t have a home studio that’s good enough to record the job, forget it. Your studio doesn't have to be like the one that’s downtown, but it does have to sound broadcast ready - and you need to know how to use it. TO BOOST YOUR BOOKINGS ... Try this 30-day challenge to increase your chances of booking jobs. 1. Make It A Game. Make auditioning a game about action and speed. Create the fastest audition. Give yourself 1 or 2 takes, and crank it out the door. Stop driving yourself nuts! Remember, if you get there first, you’ll influence them more. 2. Shift Your Mindset. Be positive. Be confident. Approach every audition as though you’re at the very top of your game. You can wrestle with self-doubt later. It's not welcome in your audition - ever. 3. Gain & Use More Time. What about all of the time you've freed up by auditioning quickly? Find more auditions, market yourself, practice, study with great people, take care of yourself, and do the things that fill you up (so you sound fuller than ever)! TRACK THE RESULTS After 30 days, see if your book ratio has gone up. Remember, you can always go back to beating yourself over the head if you don’t like the results! Afraid to forfeit the "perfect” read? I guarantee your first or second take is better than take 10. Plus, perfect is passe. When clients come to me and ask me to pick, it's almost always take 1 or 2! Early takes always have the freshness, sassiness and authentic flavor. Later takes sound tired (no matter how hard you try). You can’t beat it harder, you need to be lighter. --------------------- ABOUT CELIA Celia Siegel is owner of Celia Siegel Management, which specializes in voice over talent branding, marketing, management and consulting. Before founding and building CSM, Celia was a top west coast talent agent, and is also a certified business and life coach. Voice talent clients are profiled on her website for review by casting directors, agents and producers. Web: www.celiasiegel.com Email: celia@celiasiegel.com |
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Comments (4)
Howard Ellison
4/16/2013 at 3:01 PM
Yep, spot on of course, Celia. First take usually best overall, keeping a second one at hand in case there's a small pickup - which will match easily having been made almost in the same gasp. And, as Jay says, time zones add to the need for speed.
Gordon Maurer
3/28/2013 at 12:25 AM
Celia is right! If I can't do it in 3 or 4 takes, I move on to the next audition. Anything after 4 tries sounds unnatural or burned out, neither of which is going to land the gig! Turning auditioning into a game takes the pressure off and makes the whole process more fun and enjoyable, and actually improves my reads!
JAY LLOYD
3/25/2013 at 6:14 PM
I have a question for you, that I'd like factored into your lesson on "fast submissions" and it's this: The Time Zone factor. I live in Pacific time. When an audition goes out at 8am from an Eastern time PTP, it's 5am for me; I'm snoozing. So all those Eastern go-getters are cranking out their auditions...and, if they take your advice and do it quickly, producers could have thousands of audition by the time I finish my first cup of tea. And, if you live on the other side of the world it's worse! How does all that factor into getting jobs?
jill goldman
3/24/2013 at 8:11 AM
Thanks, Celia, I'm going to give it a try. Quick, 1 or 2 takes, and out the "door".
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