I have noticed on VP of late that a few companies are asking VO Artists to record from home a full script and send it to them as part of the Job Application. I am just wondering whether other VO Artists think that this is a little unreasonable?
VO Artists spend a lot of time, effort and money producing Demos and I appreciate that sometimes employers may want a short specific read to support an application but asking every applicant to record the final piece seems a little on the cheeky side. How do we know what is being done with the submissions as well? At least a short partial read is of no use other than to assess suitability.
If I'm asked to read a full script, I only send them snippets that fade in and out. As you rightly said, it's a lot of work and you've no idea what happens to the submissions. Not to say that employers are dishonest, but for piece of mind I send them enough to know if I'm right for the job and no more. There's no plausible reason why they would need a full script just to hear if you fit the bill.
I have concluded that some 'auditions' are part of a broader audition - ie: a media company's pitch for business. So they need the full script recording to insert into their media production. There's no job in it for the VO if the media company doesn't win the business
I won't do these recordings as it's free labour. You can bet they have to pay for all the graphics and filming etc so why ask the VO to work for nothing? Answer - because they can!
I am very new to Voice Over Work and do not have the full facilities to record demo scripts .Surely the employer can assess you on your Voice Reel which is on Voices Pro.
I think doing the full read is never necessary, but hearing a partial reading is no different to an audition for a piece of live/film acting - they can assess some things from a reel, but the more specific you are the better.
A recent job even suggested changing the name of the product on sample sent in for peace of mind, so some companies are aware that there is some worry about where these clips go.
I would say if it's a snippet of script, and / or you change the product name/add music / reduce the quality of the mp3 etc, you'll be ok!
My very first audition was someone asking me to read a 20 page script.
Being new, I assumed this was regular practice and spent over a week recording, editing, getting it just-so and sent it off. Heard nothing, about three weeks later I found the website in order to email and follow it up, but found my 'audition' had been snipped up and used throughout the website.
It was taken down when I requested it, as it was -supposed- to have been a paid job, but I wasn't impressed and won't record anything longer than a page or so now. Once bitten, etc.
Yes, a grey area. I rarely get asked for full script records as an audition. If I do I will always do something to make it un-useable, I like the wrong phone number idea, and the fade in/fade out thing but I suppose they could always use the snippets! If I were asked to do a full record I would ask why. Any reputable employer would happily give you reasons for needing a full record. Thankfully this is a rare request.
99.9% of jobs only require a short read of a few lines for audition purposes.
David, in reply to your post, it would be advantageous for you to sort yourself out something to record with. Sure your voicereel on here gives people a good idea of your suitability but I find most people will have an end client that has the final say on casting, and a few lines read specifically for the project are often required.
It's not difficult, if you have a computer, download the free program called 'audacity' and then buy a usb microphone that will plug straight into your computer. You can pick these up for about £60 for a half decent one. And there you go, you're all set. You can then quickly record audition mp3s and get them heard straightaway via email.
In my experience, it really helps if you can get your auditions off super-quick if you want to secure the job and not lose out.
I write as a Voice with over 20 years experience under my belt(mic) and a Producer with about the same track record. I would never ask for a full read.
Usually partial reads are necessary to persuade your client that you've chosen the right voice for the job ... complete read? Complete tosh!
No, never do a full read. Most of the time your demos should suffice. Occasionally it's necessary to provide a custom demo. I tend to provide no more than 2 lines on those. That should be long enough. Depending on the length of full script I may also change a word somewhere. Our work is copyright. Works in a similar way in photography - only their samples are watermarked.
10 years ago
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