Other Voice-Over Opportunities

Over the last few months, I’ve had the pleasure of voicing:

 

-       3 characters in a friend’s short film (I.e. an inappropriately perky news reporter during a disaster)

-       A vulnerable character’s estranged mother in a series of emotional voicemails during a live play, and

-       A narrator sharing the good news of a medical breakthrough for a web project 

 

Although I specialize in a lovely variety of voice-over skills (commercial, animation, Audiobooks, video games), it’s wonderful when new creative ventures present themselves.

 

When you find yourself having a quiet audition/demo request/self-tape week, think about other ways that you can use your voice – whether it’s volunteering your services for a table read of a friend’s film or play or volunteering your voice services for a Public Service Announcement (only with your agent/union’s permission, of course).

 

This can be a great way to get more experience, to take more risks creatively and to gather material for a future demo reel.

 

Pay attention on your social media platforms for announcements about play reading groups or cold reads. 

 

If the invitation sparks a good feeling, or even an I’m not sure if this is in my comfort zone but it sounds like a cool challenge kind of feeling, trust that impulse and give it a try.

 

This is also a great way to build new relationships and to feel like you’re taking control of your career.

 

Until next time,

 

Tracey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Update on Self-Tapes

An Update on Self-Tapes:

 

We're not just doing them for film, TV and theatre, but for every part of the Voice-Over business, too: Audiobooks, Commercials, Animation and Video Games. Here are some updated pointers for self-directing our auditions.

 

Look for Clues

 

Read the casting notes carefully. Is there a pop culture reference? A YouTube clip? A simple character or announcer description? Have they specified 1 or 2 takes/version? The more info you have, the better. Trust your gut. Don’t overthink it. When in doubt, assume they want you!

 

File Naming & Slating:

 

Read the fine print from your Voice agent regarding labeling the sound file and how to slate your audition. Do not create more work for them or for the production house/agency.

 

Format

 

Respect what has been asked of you. Don't create more work for your agent/production house/casting person/ ad agency/client. Learn ho to format files properly! There are many online supports for this. At digitaltrends.com there are step-by-step instructions of how to do that, using iTunes, Windows and Cloud Convert. 

 

Know when to stop!

 

Limit the number of takes you do or you will never leave your home. Less is more! Trust the feeling the direction or clues on the page give you. Fully commit to your choices from the first word to the last. 

Respect the Self-Tape deadline.

 

If your agent needs it by noon on Friday, get it to them first thing that morning, or, even better, the day before. Don't be the actor who sends it at 11:59 a.m. Respect that your agent has submitted you because they know you can book this work opportunity. Help them get you there by taking responsibility for the boundary they've set - especially when they often have more work to do once they receive all of their clients files. 

Happy self-taping!