VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

[Bruce]

From time to time I figure it might be helpful for board members to read about voice talent selection from a producer’s side, and I’ve worn that hat again this week. You may have seen a posting I put in the Work section looking for a teen voice for an animated commercial. It’s a goofy little project but I take my assignments seriously. Because what I was looking for was a bit specific and I had just two business days to submit voices to the client, I thought I’d broaden my search and also use a popular P2P site (not the one with numbers in its name).

I would like to say I was amazed at the poor quality of the majority of the P2P submissions, but I’m not amazed anymore, having done this many times. (By the way the VO-BB submissions we all professional in nature.)

I received 38 submissions on the P2P of which:

5 people didn't submit an audition but submitted their basic demos of their ADULT voices. Since the character is 10 to 12 years old, this didn’t help me or them. Delete.

5 people had terrible room acoustics so I could hear their voices bouncing off the walls. Delete.

4 were clearly adults and did almost nothing to disguise their age. Delete.

3 auditions were so loud that I feared I would break my professional audio monitors.

A handful felt that if they whispered that made them sound more like a pre-teen. Odd.

3 people had terrible mic technique, with popping and getting way too close for proximity problems. Delete.

Some people wrote 100 to 300 word commentaries on what they’d done over the years, and how much they’d like to work with me (plus one offer of marriage from Nigeria ) and while this didn’t really hurt anyone’s chances ....……why?? I really only care about what you can do with my material Today. A paragraph of basics is fine, but a novella?

Finally, my description of the character included this: “Think energetic, friendly, come join the fun”. The majority of those who survived the other deletable problems mentioned above were just truly lackluster in performance. They didn’t “inhabit” the character or their copy interpretation was way off…not thought out. Animation is usually about pizzazz, especially when it’s a commercial, and especially when the producer asks for energy. I’ve found you can always pull someone back down when they go a bit overboard, but it’s usually impossible to bring someone up to performance level if they’re nowhere near it in the audition. And yes two people screamed and babbled like maniacs and were dropped from consideration.

So, out of 38 I found only five I could forward to the client and only three of those were really good for the part. Only one was actually a child. Of course some VO-BBers were also sent to the client for consideration.

The moral of the story is if you’re professional in your process, you can follow directions, and only audition for things that you are right for, your chances are pretty good even on a P2P site.

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Frank F]

A client, who hires a lot of talent for their products, once said to me that for every 100 auditions, he is left with five files which meet the basic requirements.

From the five talents auditioned, only ONE can repeat the performance in a studio. Of FIVE (translated to 500 auditions) persons who are able to perform with style - ONE talent will actually be able to read a sustainable script (long form: narration, audio books, etc.).

I asked him during one session why he continues to use my services? He quipped; "I can always count on you to come to the studio, do the job in one or two takes maximum, and the quality is always professional or national level in the reads".

Later he commented, "The suits (my word) have instructed him to only work with people who are currently known to be able to do the job well. No more auditions - it takes too much time and energy to find one good VO talent".

VO life is changing, and as stated in a previous post on the VO-BB, "First, it takes talent".

I salute your patience Bruce.

Toodles

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

[Bruce]

I forgot to add that a few people bid only $100 for this job posted as a $200 job. None of those people were appropriate for the gig, but my main point is that that doesn't really move me. It might influence a few(?), but for me the price is set. Why cut yourself down? A few folks bid higher, $250 and $275, but also stated in their remarks that they'd work within the budget. Hello?

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Mandy Nelson]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the insight. Seriously, so cool.

While I was on vaca last week I got a request to audition for something I thought would be great fun. I did the audition but was so upset by the audio quality I didn't want to send it. It was embarrassing actually. But after chatting with my production guru, I sent it with the explanation that the sound of the room was not my studio and I'd gladly send another audition in several days if they felt I might be right.

I'm not surprised I haven't heard back and just feel like a fool for even sending it in.

I've heard from several clients the exact things you've mentioned. Is it bad of me to be a little happy that the majority of people trying for these jobs just aren't up to par? (not that I'm saying I am...I'm just sayin')
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006 member of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Mic. Bonded by sound.

Manfillappsoc: The Mandy and Philip mutual appreciation Society. Who's in your network?

Have you seen my mic closet? ~ me to my future husband

[JBarrett]

Thanks for the insight into the flip-side of the auditioning process, Bruce. Very enlightening, indeed!
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Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

[bobsouer]

Bruce,

Very helpful. Thank you!
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch

[Bruce]

[Mandy Nelson]

Thanks, Bruce. Noted for the future (though I'll never put myself in a bad recording environment again. NEVER, heee) and much appreciated. I just love this place!
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006 member of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Mic. Bonded by sound.

Manfillappsoc: The Mandy and Philip mutual appreciation Society. Who's in your network?

Have you seen my mic closet? ~ me to my future husband

[Chrissy]

Bruce,

Thanks for this information. I have a hard time being satisfied with my reads. There have been times when I've done a few takes, listen and I'm still not happy so I don't send anything. However, I have been getting jobs so I know somebody out there likes me.

[Jon Morss]

Bruce -- Very Enlightening in many ways. One thing that I do find surprising is that this gig received only 38 auditions from the one P2P site where lesser gigs received 70++. I wonder why that is?

Thanks for the post.

[voicy1stef]

Thanks Bruce for the post. Your good advice and tips will be at the top of my list when submitting auditions! Brilliant!
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Intuit and do it!

British-American voice artist based in England for the past umpteen years. I say, has it really been that long!

http://www.stefsvoice4u.co.uk
Podcast: Positive Affirmations and Audio Stories, on iTunes, Spotify etc.