That's a great observation, Tanya! I think it makes a difference, too, whether you are auditioning for the author or for a publishers casting director. So many of us have been taught a "flatter" read, but to an author, and especially a new author perhaps, it sounds just that- flatter!
I have to "tone down" some of my students who inject emotion into every word, which is unsustainable and exhausting for an entire book (and for the listener!) but I can see where an audition, especially for an author!- might need more energy.
Thanks, Tanya!! I'd never really thought about that!
I'm certainly not what you would call a very experienced narrator, I'm still less than a couple of years in. But this really spoke to me, and I really appreciate the perspective of someone who hears a lot of other narrators' auditions — thank you for writing it!
I often find myself redoing an entire audition, not because I didn't feel good about the first try — I usually feel most natural about the first go, the most authentic and truthful — but because when I listen back it sounds super low-energy, like I don't care about what I'm reading.
I will almost always redo it until it sounds like there is more life behind it, even though I also feel a bit like I'm slapping a few layers of make-up onto a more subtle approach that may in fact have been the right one, and I've wondered whether I'm making a mistake by doing this (I do plan to experiment and send a few first gos in at some point, see what comes of it).
But this has made me feel like I might be right in thinking too relaxed may not be the way to go. In any case, there is definitely a sweet spot, and I guess the trick really is to recognize where that sweet spot is.
I just linked to this article there as well. Other Knowledge Base topics include links to more of your pieces.
You combine enormous expertise and valuable perspective with substantive, clear writing skills. Please keep these articles for narrators coming! I'm delighted to share your work with my audience.
That's a great observation, Tanya! I think it makes a difference, too, whether you are auditioning for the author or for a publishers casting director. So many of us have been taught a "flatter" read, but to an author, and especially a new author perhaps, it sounds just that- flatter!
I have to "tone down" some of my students who inject emotion into every word, which is unsustainable and exhausting for an entire book (and for the listener!) but I can see where an audition, especially for an author!- might need more energy.
Thanks, Tanya!! I'd never really thought about that!
I'm certainly not what you would call a very experienced narrator, I'm still less than a couple of years in. But this really spoke to me, and I really appreciate the perspective of someone who hears a lot of other narrators' auditions — thank you for writing it!
I often find myself redoing an entire audition, not because I didn't feel good about the first try — I usually feel most natural about the first go, the most authentic and truthful — but because when I listen back it sounds super low-energy, like I don't care about what I'm reading.
I will almost always redo it until it sounds like there is more life behind it, even though I also feel a bit like I'm slapping a few layers of make-up onto a more subtle approach that may in fact have been the right one, and I've wondered whether I'm making a mistake by doing this (I do plan to experiment and send a few first gos in at some point, see what comes of it).
But this has made me feel like I might be right in thinking too relaxed may not be the way to go. In any case, there is definitely a sweet spot, and I guess the trick really is to recognize where that sweet spot is.
Hi, Tanya! Thanks for writing another terrific article to help narrators!
I'd previously added links to 2 of your articles about auditioning as resources in the NarratorsRoadmap.com article What can I do to win more auditions? (https://www.narratorsroadmap.com/what-can-i-do-to-win-more-auditions/)
I just linked to this article there as well. Other Knowledge Base topics include links to more of your pieces.
You combine enormous expertise and valuable perspective with substantive, clear writing skills. Please keep these articles for narrators coming! I'm delighted to share your work with my audience.
Cordially,
Karen Commins