Starter Tips for you Audiobook Recorders

Audiobooks are a great way to start out being a non-union voice over artist. You can probably get an ACX deal with an author, it'll be cheap and a little slave labory BUT if you are new, this is the perfect practice to figure out if this is what you want to do and ALSO learning how to edit quicker, learning how to listen to yourself, and learning how to be a voice over artist.

When choosing a project,

1) Realize that if you are editing this yourself, give yourself 5-1 ratio on Finished Hour rates. So if it's $80 an hour, you're probably going to take 5 hours of work to get that $80. I know it sucks. But, if you're just starting out, it's okay. I did a trilogy for $85 an hour but I really wanted to do it and I had it on my list of things to work on. I'm glad I did.

2) Make sure you give yourself ENOUGH time. If you have a full time job, it may take a week to do one finished hour. Really give yourself the time. I gave myself a month and a half to get a book done, and I didn't have a job! I found that my brain burns out on reading at about the 45 minute mark. And I maybe have about 2 of those available in the day, then I'm shot for VO work.

3) Explain your situation to the audiobook author. Tell them (especially if it's cheap) that they will have to listen to the files and check your work, if they see a flub, tell you and you'll fix it up. Communicate how new you are AND how excited you are.  Audiobooks aren't really about money, they are about fun and immersion. If you are an audiobook artists, trust me, you love to read.

4) IMPORTANT: If when negotiating, you get a FEEL that the author is going to be picky on accents or the slightest detail, then you may want to reconsider. You need to make it clear that you are not going to REDO a book. You aren't even gonna redo a chapter.  It's up to the author to check your work as you do it. If he's gone for a month and you finish the book, he had better be happy. Auditions for ACX are a few pages, if the author likes it, that's your direction. Do what you did. Redoing a chapter is out of the question, unless it's a technical thing (room noise or you sound intoxicated).


Tomorrow, I will post TIPS on RECORDING audiobooks. So keep an eye out for that.

Take care,
Justin

New Audition Hints and Tips

Here's a few cool things I've picked up. This will be really quick but TRUST ME. Use them.

1) If you are asked for a STRONG character, flex your muscles while you do the VO. Including the slate!

2) If you are having trouble with a particular word or phrase, as you say it, POINT when you hit the word, trust me.

3) If you want a REALLY conversational, we're talking kickstarter or maybe just stream of thought guy, SQUINT or TILT YOUR HEAD, it feels like your trying to find the words.

4) If your in a Conversational VO, don't be afraid of an UH or a hmm, in conversation these things happen.

5) For a CARTOON RANT, try and get through it in one breath.  Or even a regular rant. And make sure to record that breath in after.

There's 5 hints for ya!