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AUDITIONS
What Do You Ask The CD / Engineer
Before You Start? What To Avoid!
December 10, 2013

By Hugh Klitzke
Casting Director and Coach

A question for the casting director or engineer at the start of your audition is not just a question.
  • Sometimes it’s a way to "settle down" before you get started on an audition.
  • Sometimes it's a way for an actor to ingratiate themselves to a casting director or engineer. 
  • Sometimes it's a way to have an extra minute in the booth.  
None of these are good motives. It’s fishing. Or vamping. Or just annoying.

But understand this: Questions about copy or direction that will specifically serve an audition are extremely important and should always be voiced.  

And you can be friendly. So ask social questions: "How are you today?" "Did you get caught in the rain?" 

But none of these questions are about the work. They are about the person you are working with. Which is fine.    

Yet be careful about asking a question about an audition just for the sake of asking a question. It just won’t ring true.  

PS: In guidebooks for tourists visiting the USA, they are advised to never ask about incomes, politics or religion.  Probably not a good idea in an audition either.   
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ABOUT HUGH
Hugh P. Klitzke is studio manager and voice casting director for a leading bi-coastal talent agency, who has directed more than 85,000 auditions for all voice over genres. Based in New York City, he is also a coach specializing in teaching voice over for actors, and writes VO4TA, a twice-weekly blog with helpful voice acting tips. He is also teaching commercial copy classes on four Saturdays - Oct. 26 and Nov 2, 9 and 16, 2013 at the Actors Connection in NYC (please email Hugh for details). 


Email:  VO4TA@voiceoverfortheactor.com
Web: www.VoiceOverForTheActor.com
Blog: http://voiceoverfortheactor.com/hpks_blog

Subscribe to blog: http://voiceoverfortheactor.com/subscribe_for_free

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