Technique

Do you get the jitters when you’re working on a big, important project?

I do. And I’ve been doing vo nearly 20 years.

I think we all do, to some extent, right? Maybe it’s not “nerves” but just being conscientious?

Actually, I get a little bit of whatever this feeling is, with ANY project, no matter the size. It could be a quick read for a :15 commercial a client has sent, and, because I want to do the best job possible, will go through my mental checklist of all the things ensure a good recording (mic placement, no a/c running, understand the copy and direction, and oh yeah, make sure ProTools is recording!). I mean, I’m not sitting there biting my nails, but I am definitely doing my best.

The way I see it, my job is to make the voiceover portion as easy on the client as possible. I DO NOT want to be the problem. Ever.

Recently, I had two 2 hour sessions for a children’s media company. My voice will be part of an offering of one of the most well known franchises in the world. They were long sessions with a lot of energy required and a lot of copy! So, of course, I want to make sure all sounds just right, making as few mistakes as possible, and ensure the directors were happy with the result.

That’s just a wee bit of pressure, y’all.

Is it nerves? Or is it being conscientious?

What do you call it? I’d love to know! Email me caryn@carynclark.com and let’s chat!

PS: the client was very happy, and I’ve had nothing but positive feedback regarding the session!

#performance #voiceover #narrator #childrensmedia #advertising

Props.

Props to you!

Props for you!

Prepositions for your props!

Ok, ok, I clearly haven’t had enough coffee yet. ☕

I wanted to chat about using props in your auditions. Yep, props in voice over auditions!

While I was auditioning yesterday, there was one that called for someone who was sort of a subject matter expert… confident, knowledgable.

So, I rifled around my bookcase and found an old pair of glasses, and I held them and gestured with them… chewed the earpiece a bit… as I performed the audition. 👓

Props can be very useful in helping you morph to a character that is believable. They help YOU believe you ARE that character. YOU ARE THAT PERSON whose words are coming out of your mouth.

I tend to do this quite a bit.

If a read is about pets, or needs a compassionate, loving with all my heart emotion, I’ll hold and snuggle one of my dogs while I audition. 🐶 (Romeo especially LOVES to be part of my auditions!)

If it’s someone distracted by their phone, by God, I’ll hold my phone and play with it and gesture with it as I read. 📱

Having a casual convo with a friend? I’ll grab my coffee cup, relax my stance, and have that convo. ☕

In an office environment? I’ll grab my pencil and keep it in my hand as I read. ✏

Another thing I find helpful… is shoes. 👠

Huh?

I’m generally barefoot in my studio, because, Florida, and, well, I just don’t wear shoes in the house. (yessss I’m one of THOSE people 🤦‍♀️ 😂 )

But, I have found the shoes I wear can help with my mindset during an audition. Different shoes bring different personality, confidence, swagger, athleticism… you get the idea.

Matter of fact, when I was in NYC in September, I went to a wonderful studio, CityVox, to record. I got dressed that morning, and, like any good woman, I changed my outfit completely before leaving. 🤣

But I also changed my shoes. It was intentional. I just couldn’t feel what I needed to feel in tennis shoes. I changed in to my Tory Burch combat boots with the slug heel. ✔ Heck yes.

They were the perfect choice for the swagger I needed that day.

Do you use props in your voiceover auditions? I’d love to hear about some of the things you use!

#voiceover #voiceactor #props #audition #videoproduction #audioproduction #postproduction #commercialproduction #advertising #narration