Ahh, the audition. The lifeblood of any actor's career. A single audition could change the game for an actor. But before we show up and step into the spotlight for our chance, what do we do?
As a voice actor, auditions are a little different for me, but I treat each one as if I'm in the room with the casting director, producer, or project manager. I've shared how I approach auditions here: https://www.stage32.com/blog/Tips-for-Mastering-Any-Audition-a-Voice-Act...
But I'd like to know - what are your tips for mastering an audition?
I have a love/hate relationship with make-up, but I will absolutely do it UP for an audition, even a voice-over one - there is just something about my presentation that changes when I put on "war paint" LOL! I also do a mini-breakdown to figure out what the important words/phrases are, where I can afford to take a breath without it detracting from the performance, and run it a couple of times to see if it feels right. I also have to hear myself perform it "wrong" a few times before I remember who it's for (who the audience is), and then I kinda find my groove. I haven't tried it, but in order to keep my voice in a particular range, I've heard you can use a keyboard to kind of give yourself a starting "tune" or octive. But I'd love to hear HOW LONG it takes for people to audition! That's really the quandary I have!
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You have to be ready to go in that first take. To be interesting, different from anyone else and 'real'. What ever it takes to get to that point, you need to do. Text learned, delivery down, eyeline perfected. Then you need to completely forget all of it, for when the Casting Director says: 'Let's try it THIS way.' Remember the Script, dump everything else and be directable for the next take.
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Melanie Scroggins voice acting must be incredibly fun. But I can imagine how your performance can undergo highest scrutiny because everything coming from you is caught on recording.
Do you have to do any prep work for your voice?
Side note: I heard a story from a video game voice actor that had to record a ridiculous amount of time. The strenuous recording took a tole on her vocal chords. All she wanted to do was drink milk to soothe her throat, but I guess milk is bad for voice actors. That's hard work.
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Steve James Yes! That is so on point. Especially about being ready to take whatever direction is given, which often means pivoting from the initial delivery. It can be so hard to adjust, but it's crucial.
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Oscar Ordonez So sorry I'm just now seeing this!
Yes, it is a lot of fun but can be nerve-wracking in a live session because it is 100% about you and your performance. To answer your question, f I have an earlier than I'd like directed session, I go through some basic vocal warmups I learned in musical theatre and I do some mouth opening exercises (I really like Bill DeWees's warm-ups on YT). But I usually don't warm up too much for auditions since auditioning in and of itself is a warmup. Ha!
Oh no! So sorry to hear about that actor. Hydration is key, but I've been hydrated and in sessions before where I feel like my throat is going to close up it's so dry. It just takes a lot of work to keep those chords warm and "watered", so to speak. Demanding video game sessions are really difficult I imagine, which is one reason actors get paid more for that kind of video game work. Pros and cons, right?
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Melanie Scroggins I can imagine!! It takes a little talent but I'm sure it's a lot of work just like anything else! I'd love to hear more work that you do :) Best of luck.
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Thanks so much, Oscar Ordonez! You can check out my previous work here if you're interested: https://www.melaniescroggins.com/previous-voice-over-work/
Reach out if I can ever help you in any way!