Auditions: Are You Still In The 20% That Does Not Follow Instructions? by Marc Scott
AUDITIONS
Are You Still In The 20% That
Does Not Follow Instructions?
August 7, 2014
By Marc Scott
Voice Actor
Have you ever built Ikea furniture? If you
like jigsaw puzzles, then you probably think building Ikea furniture is
the greatest thing ever.
On the other hand, if you don’t like building
jigsaw puzzles, well & you probably wish you knew someone who did. So you
could hire them.
The trick to building Ikea furniture is to first read the instructions.
All of them.
All the way through.
From start to finish.
Oh, and then after you’ve read all the instructions, follow them.
READ AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS!
I’ve done casting for more than a few voice over projects, via
both Pay-2-Play and direct email invitations.
In each of those experiences
there is one thing that never ceases to amaze me: the number of voice
over actors who are incapable (apparently) of following very clear, very
simple directions.
Recently I posted a message on Twitter and Facebook.
Simple enough, right?
Apparently not.
Despite the fact that I provided what I thought were very, very
clear instructions, what resulted was something entirely different.
20% IGNORE ‘EM …
Let
me begin by saying that 80% of the respondents did follow my simple
instructions: a quick note with a link to their demo. Just like I asked.
But then came the other 20%.
These individuals messaged me with novels. Literally. Novels!
They included a history of their professional voice over careers.
They name-dropped every major client they’ve ever worked with since
birth.
No less than six to eight links to various and assorted demos were included. Some included links to everything BUT their explainer video voice over work – which I originally asked for.
… AND GET TOSSED
These individuals completely missed what I was asking for, tried too
hard, and as a result, their names were not included in my referral
list.
If they can’t follow my simple two-sentence instructions, I would
never assume they can follow instructions of a client. And I’ll never
give my clients names of voice actors who can’t follow simple
instructions.
Just like your Ikea furniture, if you want to succeed – if you want to
get it right the first time – read the instructions all the way through,
and then begin the project.
Otherwise you’ll finish with disaster.
——————
ABOUT MARC
Marc
Scott has been involved in broadcasting and voice over since 1995,
including work in radio and television, and hosting the number 1-rated
Afternoon
Drive show in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. “When I’m not recording my
latest voice over job you can likely find me
at the fire hall: I’ve been a volunteer firefighter since 2000, or
playing with power tools.”
Email: marc@marcscottvoiceover.com
Web: www.marcscottvoiceover.com