Overcoming confusing casting specs is not easy, but there are techniques to overcome and succeed. Making sense of a spec so you can deliver a winning read is a skill you need to develop. “Male 30s-40s warm, conversational but upbeat and energetic…” Sometimes you get contradictory confusing babble. So what’s a voice actor to do.
Wait…WTF?!
As voice Actors, we’ve all read those confusing casting specs where we’ve thought wait…WTF?! Wading through paragraphs of confusing and often contradictory babble is no fun. So, how can you win the job if you don’t know where to begin? Here are some techniques that have helped me:
If it’s broken fix it
Faced with a confusing casting spec? Don’t despair. If it’s broken, fix it. Instead of dwelling too much on an unhelpful spec, skip ahead to the copy. It will give you the Who What When Where and Why you need to submit a great audition.
If they are asking for a character, Who are they? [a forgetful husband] What are they trying to do? [buy a gift for his wife] When? [the last minute] With that small amount of info, a sharper picture begins to form about the character’s state of mind.
What else could effect your choices? Is the set-up comedic or more natural? You get the idea. If you analyze the script and ask those questions, then a bad spec won’t stand in your way of delivering a great read.
Do your research
It’s a good idea to do a little research before hitting the record button. Lets say you’re auditioning for a Medical Narration for a drug you haven’t heard of. A quick Google search could give you essential background to better inform your read such as proper pronunciation and what age group or condition the drug is meant to treat. You may also find existing commercials for the drug that can give you a perspective on what was done in the past.
Don’t forget YOU
Once you’ve gotten a handle on overcoming confusing casting specs, don’t forget you. That’s most important thing. The spec is there to describe the tone and pace and over-all feeling the spot is meant to evoke. Your job is to let your unique personality bring the copy alive. Think of the spec as a skeleton. Without your unique personality adding the muscle and skin and everything else, that skeleton ain’t going nowhere.