ACXU Presents: Audiobook Audition Techniques and Critiques

AudibleACX

1 Sept 201524:16

Summary

TLDRThe transcript captures a discussion on the importance of auditioning for audiobook narrations, emphasizing the need to submit auditions regularly and to diversify submissions across various publishers. It advises on the preparation process, including reading the entire audition material, researching character backgrounds, and understanding the story arc. The speaker also highlights the usefulness of Amazon's 'Look Inside' feature for gaining insight into the book and its characters, and stresses the importance of correct pronunciation to avoid missteps that could affect the chances of securing the job.

Takeaways

🎙️ The discussion is about auditions for audiobook narrators and the importance of submitting auditions to various publishers.
🗓️ Narrators are encouraged to submit a significant number of auditions monthly, with an example of 2010 auditions mentioned.
📚 Narrators should read the entire audition script and familiarize themselves with the book's content before auditioning.
🔍 Utilizing Amazon's 'Look Inside' feature is recommended to gain a deeper understanding of the book, including character details and story arcs.
📖 Reviewing the Amazon product description and reading reviews can provide insights into the book's reception and character resonance.
🎭 Narrators should identify and understand the characters in the audition script as they would for a full audiobook recording.
📝 It's crucial to research pronunciations thoroughly to avoid mispronunciations, which can negatively impact the impression on producers.
👂 Producers and rights holders are looking for auditions that reflect the quality they expect for the entire book.
🤔 The script suggests that narrators should be proactive in sending out audition reels to other publishers for more work opportunities.
📋 The transcript highlights the importance of preparation and homework in the audition process to ensure a good fit for the book's requirements.
🗣️ There is an emphasis on the need for careful reading and understanding of the text, including any clues about accents or foreign origins of characters.

Q & A

How many auditions are the speakers submitting on average per month?
-The exact number is not stated, but the response '2010 four' suggests a significant number, indicating that they are very active in submitting auditions.
What is the recommended approach for actors in terms of sending out auditions to various publishers?
-The speakers encourage actors to send out auditions to other publishers as well, implying that it is a common and beneficial practice.
What is the first step an actor should take when preparing for an audition?
-The first step is to find a book that resonates with the actor and has a suitable due date.
Why is it important for an actor to read the whole audition script before preparing for an audition?
-Reading the whole audition script helps the actor understand the context, main characters, and story arc, which is essential for delivering a convincing audition.
What is the 'Look Inside' feature on Amazon, and how can it be useful for actors preparing for auditions?
-The 'Look Inside' feature allows actors to view parts of the book, search for specific terms like accents, and get a fuller picture of the book, which can be very handy in preparing for an audition.
Why should actors check the Amazon product description page when preparing for an audition?
-The Amazon product description page provides insights into the book's content, main characters, and story arc, which can help actors better understand and prepare for their audition.
What role do reviews play in an actor's audition preparation?
-Reviews can provide insights into what readers liked about the book and which characters resonated with them, which can help actors focus on delivering a performance that aligns with audience expectations.
Why is it crucial for actors to research pronunciations before an audition?
-Mispronunciation of common words can leave a negative impression on producers, who may question the actor's preparedness for the full book recording.
What should actors do if they find clues in the text about accents or characters of foreign origin?
-Actors should research and practice the appropriate accents and mannerisms to accurately portray these characters in their audition.
What is the significance of doing a careful reading of the text during audition preparation?
-A careful reading allows actors to identify any specific details about characters, such as accents or foreign origins, ensuring they can deliver an authentic performance.
Why is it important for actors to give the audition due to the expectations of producers and rights holders?
-Producers and rights holders use the audition as an indicator of the quality and style they can expect for the entire book, so it's crucial for actors to deliver their best performance.

Outlines

00:00

🎙️ Audition Preparation and Submission

The paragraph discusses the importance of auditions for voice actors, particularly in the context of audiobook narration. It mentions the average number of auditions submitted per month and encourages actors to send out audition reels to various publishers. The speaker advises on the preparation process, which includes reading the entire audition material, researching the book on Amazon, understanding the story arc, and identifying main characters. The use of 'Look Inside' feature and reviews on Amazon is highlighted as a valuable resource for gaining insights into the book. The paragraph emphasizes the need for careful reading to pick up on details such as accents and character backgrounds, which are crucial for a successful audition.

08:15

📚 Understanding Character Pronunciations

This paragraph, although incomplete, seems to continue the discussion on audition preparation. It stresses the importance of researching pronunciations to avoid mispronouncing common words during an audition. The speaker implies that a mispronunciation can negatively impact the impression on producers, as it raises doubts about the actor's preparedness for the full book project. The paragraph serves as a reminder to do thorough homework on character names and terms to ensure a polished audition.

14:31

🔍 In-Depth Character and Story Analysis

The paragraph, although it only repeats the word 'you,' suggests a deeper dive into character analysis and story understanding. It likely emphasizes the need for actors to thoroughly analyze the characters they are auditioning for, including their backgrounds, motivations, and relationships within the story. This understanding is crucial for delivering a convincing audition and potentially securing the role in the audiobook production.

23:49

🤔 Encouraging Audience Engagement

The single repetition of 'you' in this paragraph could be an open-ended prompt for the audience to reflect on their own audition preparation process or to consider questions they might have about the audition process. It serves as an invitation for the audience to engage more deeply with the material, possibly by asking questions or sharing their experiences.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Auditions

Auditions refer to the process where performers submit recordings to be considered for a role or project. In the context of the video, auditions are a key part of securing work in the audiobook industry. The script mentions that participants should be submitting many auditions a month and emphasizes the importance of doing so to increase the chances of getting more work.

💡CX

CX likely refers to ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), a platform where authors and rights holders can find narrators to produce their audiobooks. The script uses 'CX' to indicate the platform where auditions are being submitted and where narrators can find opportunities to work on audiobook projects.

💡Reels

In the audiobook industry, a reel is a compilation of an actor's best narration work, showcasing their range and abilities. The script encourages participants to send out reels to other publishers, indicating that this is a way to market oneself and secure more opportunities beyond ACX.

💡Amazon Product Description Page

This refers to the webpage on Amazon where information about a product, such as an audiobook, is listed. The script suggests using this page to understand the book's content, main characters, and story arc, which is crucial for preparing an effective audition.

💡Look Inside Feature

The 'Look Inside' feature on Amazon allows potential buyers to preview parts of a book. The script mentions this as a useful tool for auditioning narrators to get a fuller picture of the book they are considering to audition for, by seeing sample text and possibly identifying characters' accents or other details.

💡Story Arc

A story arc refers to the progression of events in a narrative. In the script, understanding the story arc is presented as an important step in preparing for an audition, as it helps the narrator to convey the book's narrative flow and character development.

💡Main Characters

Main characters are the central figures in a narrative. The script emphasizes the importance of identifying and understanding these characters to perform an audition effectively, as the audition is a sample of the narrator's ability to portray the characters in the full audiobook.

💡Accents

Accents in the audiobook context refer to the distinct ways of pronunciation associated with different regions or social groups. The script mentions searching for accents within the book's text as part of the audition preparation, indicating that accurate portrayal of characters' accents is important for authenticity.

💡Mispronunciation

Mispronunciation is the act of saying a word incorrectly. The script warns against mispronouncing words in an audition, as it can signal to producers that the narrator may not be thorough in their preparation for the full book recording.

💡Homework

In the script, 'doing your homework' is a metaphor for thorough preparation. It is used to emphasize the importance of researching pronunciations and understanding the text before auditioning, suggesting that failure to do so could lead to a poor impression with producers.

💡Producers

Producers are individuals responsible for overseeing the creation of an audiobook, including selecting narrators. The script mentions that the audition is for the producers' ears, indicating that their approval is necessary for a narrator to secure the job.

Highlights

On average, narrators submit a lot of auditions per month, with a range of 10-20.

Narrators should be sending out audition reels to other publishers as well.

The importance of submitting high-quality auditions to get more work.

Finding a book for an audition that resonates with the narrator.

Reading the whole audition script before preparing for the audition.

Utilizing the Amazon product description page to understand the book's content and main characters.

The 'Look Inside' feature on Amazon is useful for getting a fuller picture of the book.

Checking for character accents or foreign origins within the book text.

Reading reviews to see what resonates with readers and to understand the story arc.

The audition should reflect the quality expected for the full audiobook recording.

Producers and rights holders listen for clues about the narrator's ability to perform the full book.

Mispronunciation of common words in an audition is a significant issue.

Doing homework on pronunciation to ensure accuracy in the audition.

The expectation that a narrator who prepares well for an audition will also prepare well for the full book.

The transcript emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation for auditions.

An open question about preparing auditions, inviting further discussion or clarification.