Want to nail your second take in your VO auditions? If you follow my YouTube Channel, you know I’m always talking about auditions and audition techniques, and the second take is one of the most important parts of a strong audition. There’s a good reason I keep coming back to it!
For those of us in the voice-over and voice acting industry, auditions follow us throughout our entire careers. I’ve been recording VO work for over 25 years now, and I still record auditions daily. They’re simply a fact of life.
Of course, when you’ve been in the industry for a long time and have long-term clients, you’ll probably record fewer auditions. That’s because you can be more selective about taking on new jobs. But you’ll still have to audition again and again.
So, anything we can do to improve our auditions is worth talking about.
Why the Second Take Matters
Many of my students struggle with recording a second take, so that’s what I’ll dive into here.
If you’re new to auditioning, providing two takes of short audition scripts is a bit of an unwritten rule in voice-over.
In my opinion, it’s also good VO etiquette.
This is especially true if you’re getting auditions from an agent, or if it’s an audition for animation or video games.
A wise voice actor will also treat pay-to-play auditions the same way. Those clients may not ask for two takes, or even realize they want them, but providing two reads can help you stand out from other voice actors.
Now, if the script is on the longer side (say over 60 seconds or 150 words), you can probably skip this “unwritten rule.”
However, I would encourage you to provide two takes for scripts that are around 30 to 60 seconds long, or for character reads.
You can record more if you want to, but decision-makers will typically listen to two takes — provided you hook them early with your first read.
The main reason to record two takes is that it helps casting directors and clients determine whether you have “range”.
In other words, it lets them know if you’re a voice actor who is directable, or if you’re stuck in your ways (like a one-trick pony).
This is something I talk about extensively in Part 1 of the Get Clever Series.
The key to recording a strong second take is to do something fun or creative that helps you stand out from the competition.
Let’s go over a few ways you can vary your second read.
Put the Pedal to the Metal . . . or Not
One of the easiest ways to change your voice acting second take is to vary your pacing.
For example, you might read the first take slowly and deliberately.
Then, for the second take, you could speed things up considerably.
That change alone can completely alter the energy of the read.
This technique is especially useful when a commercial script is too long for its intended runtime.
For instance, a client may want the script to fit into 30 seconds, but when you read it naturally and edit out mistakes, it ends up running closer to 45 seconds.
In that case, try recording a version that fits into 30 seconds.
If that pace sounds too rushed — especially if it’s not a retail commercial — try fitting it into 35 or 40 seconds instead.
Then record another version where you take your time.
By slowing down, the client can hear how the script sounds when the words are delivered naturally and clearly.
Sometimes that helps them realize the script itself needs editing.
The opposite can happen too: occasionally scripts are too short and clients actually need to add more copy (this happened to me just last week).
Even when the script length is perfectly fine, changing the pacing is still a simple and effective strategy for your second take.
Pump Up the Level
Another trick is to project less.
Turn up the recording level slightly, lean into the microphone, and deliver the read more intimately, almost like you’re sharing a secret just above a whisper.
Playing with projection can be a fantastic way to grab a listener’s attention.
That said, be careful.
Depending on your voice, an intimate read can accidentally sound overly sensual.
If you experiment with projection, make sure the tone matches the content appropriately.
Say It Like YOU Want To
Improvisation is another technique you can use in your second take.
This works especially well for animation, video games, and radio spots where you’re playing a character.
For the first take, stick closely to the script.
Then, in the second take, allow yourself to improvise a little. Have fun with it. Add a word here or there, maybe even an extra sentence.
Just don’t go so far off-script that you completely rewrite the copy (let’s not offend the copywriters).
Instead, try adding a bit of your personality, or even better, the character’s personality into the read.
Breathing extra life into the character can help you stand out and improve your chances of booking the job.
If the client specifically mentions wanting strong comedy or acting skills, improvising in the second take can be a great way to showcase those abilities.
Whatever you do, always remain positive about the product or client.
Get Emotional
Another strategy for character-based scripts, especially animation and video games, is to change the emotional approach.
Let’s say your character is a confident commander who is calm and in control.
You might lean fully into that emotion for the first take.
Then, for the second take, keep the confidence but add urgency.
Or maybe your character is a soldier described as arrogant and self-confident.
In one version, you could play that confidence straight.
In another, you could make the character more manipulative, scheming, or Machiavellian.
This shows that you’re thinking about different dimensions of the same character.
Gimme Some Attitude
Along with emotion comes attitude.
Adjusting attitude works especially well for commercial or corporate reads.
For example, in your first take, you might sound upbeat, optimistic, and friendly.
In the second take, you could sound more serious, authoritative, or matter-of-fact.
Changing the attitude can be a powerful way to create a distinctly different second read from the same script.
Always Lead With Your Strongest Second Take
Once you’ve recorded both takes, take a short break and then listen back to them.
Ask yourself: Is the strongest take first?
If you’re unsure, ask a friend or family member which version they prefer.
This matters because clients and casting directors often won’t listen to your entire audition.
More often than not, they’ll only hear the beginning, sometimes just a few seconds!
If they aren’t interested immediately, they’ll move on.
That’s why it’s critical to put your strongest material first.
I know, I’m recommending you record two takes even though the second one might never get heard.
But that’s the reality of the industry.
Becoming a strong auditioner, and eventually a strong booker takes hard work and consistency.
Earlier, I mentioned adding improv to the second take.
But if the improvised version ends up being the stronger read, break the rules and make it the first take.
The “voice-over police” aren’t going to come after you.
The important thing is showing the client that you are exactly what they’re looking for.
So always lead with your strongest performance.
Try It On
If you’ve never experimented with the voice acting second take before, give it a try.
It forces you to explore new ways of interpreting a script.
And if you keep practicing, you may eventually discover your own special sauce!
Remember: practice makes perfect.
Want to learn more tricks? Read my article about microphone techniques and how those can help you improve your performance even more.
This one gives you 6 quick VO audition hacks you don’t want to miss!
My name is Lili Wexu. I’m an actress, a voice talent and an author. Want to learn a Power Move that’s helped me book a LOT of work on Pay-to-Play sites? Join me in VO Power Moves 102!
