Go For It!

You just never know when something amazing will happen in your life. I received a text message from Matt (My Fiance) on Feb 18th at 8:41 am. It read "You have the perfect voice for this" with an attachment to a website for audiobook auditions. Though, "ok?" but I looked the website over. It was pretty easy to get started. Step-by-step instructions. So, I followed each step. I completed the tax forms so I could get paid and added in my payroll info. Next, I looked at some books to audition for. A couple intrigued me. So, I printed out the audition scrips. I began to read the script in my head and it sounded pretty good. But reading out loud was something different. How do I do this? I thought to myself. So, I decided to get onto YouTube and watch some voice-over tips and tutorials. Spent a couple of days watching many videos. I also checked out Groupon for some audio voice classes. Sure enough, there was a Voice Over for Beginner’s Class for only $10. I bought the Groupon and passed the class that day. (I'm an overachiever) Next, Matt set me up in our basement with his home studio. So, I decided to give this a try. I recorded my first script, did the editing, and sent it to the Amazon author. I was still a little unsure if I sounded right. So, I decided to go onto iTunes and listen to some audiobooks from my phone (Not sure why I haven’t thought of that yet) and I instantly realized my gut was right, I did not sound clear AT ALL! I was now feeling disappointed because I sent in an audition that sucked. Well, to me it sucked. We are our worst and hardest critics after all. When Matt came home that night from work I got him to listen to my recording. He agreed that it wasn’t the best audio and that I read it pretty fast. We tried to play around with some effects, but it just didn’t clean up the audio to perfection. So, I closed my laptop and tried to go to bed. I woke up the next morning and grabbed my cell to see what I missed on social media while I was sleeping. (Addicted much!) I noticed an email. So, I opened up my email app and there was an email from the Amazon author I auditioned for.

“Hello Melissa,

Sera Greyson here. I would like you to re-audition for the part, please. Please re-submit with all three scripts. This is to ensure that the range that is needed is there.

You have spunk and spirit, but the audio clip that I received was a bit fast. Not sure if that was because of editing or maybe software, but I would like for you to please re-submit again.

Please be mindful of the following: Be sure to follow punctuation. Take a breath when needed and pause for dramatic effect. You are a character. Play into this role like you would if this was a character in a movie.

You have talent, I’ll give you that. I want to see that talent shine.

Good luck!

-Sera Greyson

OMG! I couldn’t believe it! Through that mess of my recording, she spots talent? My very first audio audition and this is my feedback. I don’t think anyone could ask for better first audition feedback. So, it was time to step up my game. Matt and I moved his soundboard and mic to our bedroom. Maybe the basement wasn’t great. It was an unfinished room with no sound barriers. Matt hooked everything to my laptop and did a soundcheck for me. We listened back to our test recording, and it was like night and day. Very clear audio. So, I got out the 3 scripts from the author and began to record. Got the first 2 scripts to perfection, or the best I could do anyways. The third script made me nervous, It was a sex scene. I decided to get calm and take a bubble bath with calming music to get relaxed. After that I tackled that sex scene script with every sexiness I could pull out of my body, ha-ha! After some editing, I decided to GO FOR IT!! I re-submitted my audition. It's only been a day since I did my second audition, but I’m on the edge of my seat waiting. In the meantime, I did also audition for a different book yesterday. (update: Did not get the parts) Today I’m looking at more books to audition for. The more auditions I do, the better I’ll get. Practice, Practice, Practice.

What I’m trying to say here is, GO FOR IT! You just never know. I had no clue that I had a talent for voice acting. I did know that I wanted a career in broadcasting since I was a kid. My aunt works in radio. I fell in love the first time she brought me to the studio. This step that I took last week could be another stepping stone to that career in broadcasting. I’ll leave you with this:

Your journey begins outside your comfort zone!!!

**P.S I got the part for the audiobook on Amazon called "Lucifer's Gift" By Sera Greyson. The audiobook will be ready to purchase this Fall 2021!**