How to audition for voice acting jobs
Voice acting auditions are the core of your voice over journey. They’re like a vocal portfolio, showcasing your voice’s unique talents and versatility. They’re also your foot in the door, as it were – your vocal resume to clients for a particular project. So, to help you master the art of voice over auditions, in this post, we’ll provide you with 10 tips on how to audition for voice acting jobs.
What are voice acting auditions?
Voice acting auditions are recordings of voice actors reading a sample or custom script for a voice acting role, demonstrating their range, emotion, and fit for a character or role. During voice over auditions, voice actors aim to deliver authentic performances using their voices, making written content come to life audibly. The recorded audition is then sent to clients for review, who decide if it suits their project requirements. While deadlines and project requirements for voice over auditions constantly evolve, our core purpose at Voice123 remains unchanged. We continue to help voice actors forge meaningful connections with clients. So we’re here to guide you on how to audition for voice acting to land your next Voice123 booking!
Check out our free checklist of 10 tips for successful voice over auditions.
How to make your voice acting auditions count in 2024
Think of voice acting auditions like a job interview – you only get one shot to submit voice acting auditions. This means no mispronounced words, submitting the wrong file, or the cardinal sin: failure to deliver the brief. Learning how to audition to be a voice actor involves putting your best foot or, in this case, ‘voice’ forward. Your goal is to record voice acting auditions that leave clients with a single thought – ‘This is the voice we want.’ To make your voice acting auditions count, you should:
- Study the project description and analyze the client’s requirements.
- Warm up your vocal cords with different exercises.
- Get into character with how you stand or sit during recordings.
- Record with confidence, which comes through in your voice.
- Edit out long pauses, audible breaths, and unintentional sounds.
Hone your voice acting talent to improve your voice over auditions
Cultivating vocal skills takes practice and thoughtful strategies. Record and listen to your pitch, tone, and emotion to understand the nuances of your performances. Challenge yourself with diverse roles and scripts to adapt your style as a voice actor. Consider whether you should invest in coaching sessions to develop specific voice over techniques. And constantly improve your voice over skills because practice and effort are vital to honing your voice acting talent.
Art + Craft = You’re hired!
Create top-quality audio with help from experts!
10 tips to make successful voice acting auditions
- Read the project description carefully: This will give you a glimpse into the client’s mindset.
- Plan a strategy: You wouldn’t pitch up at the office looking like you rolled out of bed, so never record when you’re not ‘feeling it.‘
- Record high-quality audio: Voice over auditions must have a premium voice and sound quality.
- Add a creative edge: Give clients something that makes them think, ‘Oh, that’s fresh and interesting!’
- Hydrate before hitting the studio: Drinking plenty of aqua and eating a green apple can help reduce mouth clicks.
- Act, don’t just read: Voice acting auditions are more than reading lines; it’s acting with your voice and connecting with the material.
- Test – test – test: Inspect your mic and recording equipment for issues before you hit record.
- Protect your work: Slating, watermarking, leaving out, or changing a word is up to you, but follow up on the client’s preferences.
- Check, double-check, and triple-check: Ensure you’ve submitted the correct file, format, editing, and suitable cover letter.
- Maintain professionalism: Every audition is a potential gig, so be aware of your interaction with casting directors or clients.
Voice acting auditions: Advice from pros
Need advice on how to audition to be a voice actor? We’ve got all the insights you need with interviews from two seasoned and talented voice actors – Courtney Greer and Gwendolyn Carter. Greer and Carter have 13 years of combined professional experience getting booked for gigs through booming voice acting auditions. As you listen to their journeys, note their tips and suggestions to improve your voice acting auditions.
A lack of preparation, devoid of character, hesitancy or uncertainty in your voice coupled with audio noise, hiss or distractions will ruin your chance of being hired in a fraction of a second. Share on X
Courtney’s been a member since Aug 2, 2013, and has been a professional voice actor for nine years.
Gwendolyn’s been a member since Nov 11, 2018 and has been a professional voice actor for 4 years.
FAQs
Practice your vocal techniques and character voices, then create a professional demo reel showcasing your range – network with industry professionals and casting directors through workshops, social media, and voice acting platforms.
You can find auditions through online casting websites, voice acting networks, or by working with a talent agent specializing in the field.
Contact their agents or go through professional networking sites like LinkedIn or platforms like Voice123, which are dedicated to voice acting.
Thoroughly prepare by analyzing the script, understanding the character, rehearsing extensively, and recording in a quiet, acoustically treated space.
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