Audition Suggestions

Allen Brown · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 06:06 (GMT) Post subject: Audition Suggestions

Some suggestions as a recent seeker.

DROP any intros to your auditions. DROP any extros/tags to your auditions. Even if you're good, I'll have to edit your intro/extro out when I present it to my client. (Gee, thanks!) If you're borderline, I won't go to the trouble.

Don't voice a personal message to the seeker, even to express appreciation for the "opportunity and I'd love to work with you on this project". Please don't.

Speaking for myself here, but I'll bet many other seekers feel the same. I want to make an A-B comparison of talents reading the same copy without distracting, superfluous marketing verbage before or after we hear the copy. Just read the script. No name, no nothing.

In/Out decisions are often made within the first 5 to 10 seconds of the demo. When A-B comparisons are being made, few busy people are going to sit through even the slightest distractions. Your name, a personal message or any other comment being spoken may be just enough of an annoyance for the client to say "NEXT?"

Just a couple of things I learned as a recent seeker that will change the way I audition. I also posted this in hope that it will enhance my next seeker experience.

Allison Scussel · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 06:14 (GMT) Post subject:

Allen,
Are you suggesting that we don't slate at all? Not that I have a problem with that suggestion. I just want to make sure I'm understanding your advice.

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

~Ally~

Erik Sheppard · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 06:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Good advice Allen. I go back and forth with using a slate but perhaps now I will stop.

Hey, next time you are a seeker, may I suggest voicetalentproductions.com?

Great talent there.

From what I hear.

Allen Brown · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 06:21 (GMT) Post subject:

Allison,

As a recovering "slater"...yes..that's EXACTLY what I'm suggesting.

It's not necessary. And it's distracting enough to rule you out before you're even heard. My opinion. Maybe other seekers love 'em. Can't imagine.

Allen

Allen Brown · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 06:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks, Erik Smile

Allison Scussel · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 06:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks Allen!

Just when I was slating at the end and not the beginning, now you're telling me some darn good advice. I'll keep this in mind for my next online audition.

Smile

Allison

Allen Brown · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 06:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Allison,

Yes, I was also doing what I thought was a "subtle" end slate. But, I'm now convinced that ANYTHING other than the script can be a possible negative and a hassle for the seeker.

The only exception might be a slate for our fun and games here on the board. But not for the seekers.

Again, not speaking for all seekers (how could I?) even though I'll bet many will agree,...just my own experience. Smile

Allison Scussel · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 07:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Allen,
You're own experience tells a thousand stories worth listening to. Thanks again for sharing them with us. Who knew that a small slate at the end could hurt an audition?
Like you said, "it's just me"... Your suggestion could speak volumes for other voice seekers that don't visit the Savvy forum.

This could be a sign of the times. You're imput could be the result of someone landing a job. Thanks for informing us of your knowledge.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 10:59 (GMT) Post subject:

Perhaps this is an idea for the fine folks at Voice123. They could give the seekers a set of radio buttons offering them a choice of:

Slate at Front End
Slate at Back Back End
Slates at Both Ends
No Slate
Duh, What's a Slate?

While they're at it, they could also have the seekers specify:

Voice Only
Produced with Music and/or SFX

Bob Bergen · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 14:40 (GMT) Post subject: Re: Audition Suggestions

Kim White · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 15:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Erik Sheppard · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 15:45 (GMT) Post subject:

I believe the slate v. no slate case has been argued here before and I really am on the fence.

As Bob said, on every agent or "pro" audition I do they expect a slate. Some of the seekers here also go through the agencies for jobs and so they will know what a non-cattle call audition sounds like (i.e. slated).

I have also heard that, especially when there are auditions from multiple sources, sometimes these files get downloaded and passed around and saved differently and they can lose the original file name with your name on it.

It certainly strikes me as the more polished thing to do. But then I can understand Allen's point of view.......

Hmmm.....

Kara Edwards · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007, 15:49 (GMT) Post subject:

After reading comments similar to Allen's...I've stopped slating any audition I do online. When it's an audition from an agent, I do what they tell me to. Most will add 'slate___ for the audition'. If there is nothing mentioned about slates, then I don't add one.

I do know anytime I audition in an outside studio, I'm always asked to slate. Same with on-camera auditions.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007, 03:41 (GMT) Post subject: bad advice

Let me add to Bob Bergen's reply by saying "no audition should ever NOT have a slate."

In some rare circumstances, a talent seeker may request that a slate not be given. Usually those requests call for special file naming considerations. I beleive that in V123 all of the file names get changed when you submit your auditions, thus there is pretty much nothing to discern who the audition is from.

In 20 years of doing v.o., casting on hundreds of projects, etc. I can simply say that this is bad advice.

The slate should however (and yes there are exceptions) be in your own natuarla voice and not consist of much more than Hi, I'm so and so (can also include reading for the name of part)

The "custom audition", swooshes and third party slates pretty much don't cut it for me, but slating is an industry standard.

Bettye Zoller

The auditions are coded. The voice seeker reads info, the audition number clues who is doing the vo. And I put my name in the track ID such as "zollerchicagomuseum." See? And I agree with Nancy Wolfson and many other producers who hate time wasters wading thru a zillion "hi. my name is Andy Carlson and I'm pleased that you..." shut up and read already. Exceptions: When your agent or casting director TELLS you to slate first. The advertising agency work I audition for and the large recording studios in which I record spots or narrations don't want me to slate either because they DIGITALLY mark the read with my ID number. Also, some auditions do NOT want to know names. That makes it more "fair" in some cases. At least that's what I'm told by those for whom I work or audition. I never slate online ever. Besides, that's your "real voice." Just let the vo seeker hear your "performance read" only.