- Be Nice and Don't Talk too Much:)

I hear from engineers and booth directors periodically that voiceover actors sometimes simply talk too much during a session or seem annoyed when given multiple directions. It's important to remember that clients are spending a lot of money to create their advertising media. We really must be good, socially adept voiceover artists to help them maximize their efforts. Don't start "babbling" on their time. Give them your best effort with positive energy to help the get what they want:)

- One Reason People Get Fired From Voiceover Jobs

This comes up way too often I'm sad to report. I have heard from people in the industry year after year that there are simply too many people who have great VO demos who don't read with the same competence in the booth that their demo displays. It is incredibly important to practice all the time as if you're in a booth doing a job. Go to a gig all warmed up and sharp. They aren't there to listen to you wake up or get rolling. If they greet you and chit chat fine, but don't start telling long stories. Be prepared. Be on time. The first read out of your mouth should demonstrate that you are a pro and ready to go. Time is money, and it's their money.
In order to really be able to take direction and deliver professional reads, you have to be able to vary cadence and melody to solve problems of articulation and or meaning. Have fun out there and practice like you're going to the olympics. You can do it, you can succeed.

- More on Studio Behavior

I'm still getting input from casting directors and some agents that want Rob Actis and myself to emphasize in our VO BootCamp Workshop for VO artists that there a lot o lot of talented people that seem unaware that people hire people they are really comfortable with.
Some Issues:
Do you dress nicely but casually? Don't go to a VO session in a suit and tie.
Be well rehearsed ! You aren't there to do your homework on other peoples time.
Remember to stay 8 to 10 inches from the mic.
Don't debate any direction you're given. Just say "OK, let me try that for you".
Thank everyone on your way out
Enjoy yourself don't look like you're struggling.

- People Hire People That They Like The Best

It's important to have great voiceover skills and to be able to work on a professional level. It's also important to remember that there are always a number of people who can do the work and do it very well. So why should they hire you? The answer can be because they simply like you better. I'm not talking about "kissing up to people" I'm talking about being genuinely good company in the work place. Be on time, be pleasant, don't talk to much, do a good job, be supportive of what they are trying to accomplish. Being good company in a professional setting is responsible for getting more work, than having great reading skills.

- Follow The Directions For Auditions

There are simply too many examples of people not following directions for auditions. If you are told to call on a specific day and time, call at that time. Some people thinks it makes them seem pro active if they call a day early. You don't make any friends by interrupting what people are doing by not following directions concerning when to call.
If the directions are to send an MP3 audition file with 3 takes, do not send 5
Production of voiceovers, video and all media requires a great deal of coordination. Make sure you help these people learn that you could be an asset in their hectic lives by following directions .

- Success - It's Not How Smart You Are, it's how Smart You Are About Other People

The development of social intelligence is an important element in achieving success in any field. We are concerned here with the field of voiceovers. I hear a lot of stories from producers and engineers about the wide variety of behaviors they witness from voiceover artists in recording sessions. In many cases they say they can't believe how socially inept some artists are when they come to a session. Common complaints are: Talking too much, interrupting people as they are setting up, apologizing for being late because of traffic, apologizing all the time for flubs, being too happy to meet everyone, taking too long to "get going", asking for too many definitions of what they mean when giving directions about what they want in the read... it goes on and on.
Here are some simple thoughts about how to behave.
Be on time. No one cares about your excuses. The rule is, "if you're not early, you're late".
Allow for the worst traffic possible. Obviously no one wants you there an hour early, so if that happens, just park and explore the neighborhood.
Don't talk too much. Keep the greetings simple, friendly and short.
When the session is over, LEAVE. Some people think it's ok to hang out, it is not.
If they are telling jokes, by all means laugh, but this is not an invitation for you to tell jokes too.
When you flub, just say pick up and go back to the top of the sentence. Do not apologize or explain why you flubbed, no one cares. Just fix it.
Be a good listener. Observe how the people behave and conduct themselves. They are there to do business as are you. Everyone wants to do good work and get good work from the voiceover artists. We can contribute to the projects success and our own success, by watching, listening and being smart about other people.
Have a great week.