What’s a lead-in?
In the context of voiceover auditions, a lead-in is when you improvise some lines related to the spot just before you start narrating the script. The rationale is to “get you into your read” which ideally will make your performance more organic/authentic/conversational. This reflects the trend of voice seekers wanting voiceover narration for many commercials to be more natural, subtle, and nuanced and much less “announcery”.
Using a lead-in may help you sound less like this…
…and more like this:
A recent social media conversation posed this question: should you leave your lead-in in the audition? Some argue that it makes your audition stand out and they have booked gigs because they left in their lead-in. Others were horrified that some voice actors leave in their lead-in and say you’re not following the casting guidelines.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Should you leave your lead-in in your audition?
Talk to whomever sent you the audition and ask for their preference. If they want you to leave in your lead-in (or don’t mind if it’s there), then do so. If they don’t, don’t.
NEWS AND NOTES
SOLD OUT!!! Saturday, January 30th @5PM EST: The Voice Actors Studio ‘eLearning Performance’ Workshop. eLearning, training modules, and instructional content is a leading category in voiceover opportunity. Join me for a focused eLearning Performance workshop! FYI there is a wait list for this workshop as well as an “encore performance” February 20th. There are still a few virtual seats left for the March 28th workshop so sign up ASAP!
Wednesday, February 17 @8PM EST: VO How-To: Explainers Explained! What is an Explainer Video? How do you narrate one? Where do you get the work? These and many other questions will be answered in this online workshop! If you can’t attend the night of the event, the webinar will be recorded so you can watch the video at your convenience.
HAPPY HAPPYS
Happy Peanut Butter Day and Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Tom Dheere is a voice actor with over twenty years of experience narrating just about every type of voiceover you can think of. He also helps voice talents navigate the voiceover industry as the VO Strategist. When not voicing or talking about voicing, he produces the epic sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.