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Past Contests
Winners • Entries • Prizes • Written assessments • Video-reviews with David Goldberg

Select a past contest
Colonial Williamsburg: January 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025
Walt Disney World - Magic Awaits: October 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
The Nature Conservancy: July 2, 2024 - September 30, 2024

Private: Colonial Williamsburg

January 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025
Contest

Voice Direction:

This simulated audition is to cast a voice actor for a 30-second spot playing in 3 regional areas. We’d like a voice actor with excitement in their voice that’ll engage listeners of all ages.

Script:

Here at Colonial Williamsburg, history isn’t the only thing your kids will soak up. There’s also plenty of 21st-century fun. With Busch Gardens, Water Country USA and Virginia Beach right around the corner, we guarantee they’ll be drenched with insight, perspective and, oh yeah, maybe just a little water. For your free family vacation guide, simply call 1-800-281-3135.

Analysis: Why the Winners Won ... and Why Others Didn't.

First, watch David Goldberg review contest entries

Find out why some entries are cut, short-listed, or selected as winners!

Now, read David’s analysis!

 

Congratulations to Jeffrey Hedquist, Bill Celler, and Dan Jeslis!

In this simulated voice acting audition for a commercial about Colonial Williamsburg, they were our All Americans in explaining to listeners of all ages why the destination appeals to visitors of all ages. Here are some tips to help you, too, stand out when you visit audition scripts in the future.

 

EDGE STUDIO TIP # 1 – Remember that in many genres, people aren’t already engaged with what you’re saying

How you begin is always important, especially in an audition. But in a commercial, it’s critical, because people didn’t tune in to hear the commercials. So don’t rush the opening. You should sound “natural” from the outset (unless directed otherwise), yet be sure to pronounce each word distinctly and maybe even a bit more slowly than usual. Attract the listener’s attention, let their mind get up to speed, and be sure they understand what you’re saying.  Of course, you should be understandable through the entire read, so be sure not to slur or “swallow” words or letters (e.g., “Wylmsburg,” “Williamsbur,” “plenny,” “twenny-first”). Do phrase things so that your meaning won’t be misunderstood (it’s “Busch Gardens [comma] Water Country…” not “Busch Gardens’ Water Country…”), and start with the complete opening thought. Many people paused unnecessarily, as in “Here!…At Colonial Williamsburg …”. That’s unnatural, potentially confusing (because it’s not a complete thought yet), and could cost you the attention of your barely engaged listener.

 

EDGE STUDIO TIP # 2 – Begin “in character,” and have the required energy from the outset

Yes, even in a “straight read” Commercial or Narration, you are a “character” — not a character voice, but you have a particular approach that is suited to the VO situation. To get yourself in character and assure that you start with energy (or, as this Voice Direction asks, convey “excitement”), do what many others do: Pre-voice. That means inventing a few words or a short sentence that leads logically into the script. (E.g., _________) That will get you (figuratively) up to speed. Remember to have a clean break before the first word of the script. Then, before you submit your recording, be sure to delete the pre-voiced part.

 

EDGE STUDIO TIP # 3 – Heed the technical stuff

This contest is run as a learning experience and demonstration. So we overlook a few things, such as studio quality, age appropriateness, and accents, even though a screener for a real audition will not. You may not yet have any control over some of these things. But there are many things you can control, and in an actual audition, they are equally important. For example, the start of your recording. Have maybe a half second of silence before your voice begins, no more. (Many people had delayed starts) Delete your starting inhale, lip smacking, or other extraneous noise. And trim any silence at the end. (Not too tight, but no more than a second after your last word’s “presence” disappears … so the reviewer can see the actual length of your recording.) And of course, all the “performance” technical stuff, like consistent speaking volume, no dropped or mangled words, accurately following the script, etc.

 

EDGE STUDIO TIP # 4 – Avoid or minimize glottal stops

A “glottal stop” is a momentary closing of the throat before an initial vowel. Sometimes it may even come in the middle of a word; for example, some people say, “No, you di’nt” (not pronouncing the second “d” sound). One or two in a long read is okay. In singing, it’s even used as a sort of percussive effect. But in an audition or actual VO production, it makes you sound choppy and tense. Audition screeners hear glottal stops as a yellow flag – is this person not fully professional? To practice reading without glottal stops, first, listen to your recording and be aware of each one. Then try reading that passage without closing your throat, yet without changing your pace at that point (don’t eliminate or add any pause at that point). With practice and maybe a bit of coaching, you should be able to make smoother delivery a subconscious habit.

Winners

1st place winner: Jeffrey Hedquist

Judge's Comments

This is a super-friendly, and amazingly natural, easy-going, spontaneous-sounding delivery. There’s no hint of effort, force, announcer, sales, over-thinking, stiltedness, or trying too hard.) The only issues are: Some slight slurring. (We’re sure if we directed him, we could have him be clearer.) Interestingly, he’s one of the few people who pronounced the “D” at the end of “guide,” which prevented the word from sounding like “guy” as it did with many other entries. There’s a touch of mouth noise. While not optimal, it’s relatively easy for us to remove. He nicely hit the joke on “water” at the end with a genuine sounding smile … and changing the tempo there helps it stand out. Also, a nice job ensuring that the other 3 locations are distinct. Many people ran them together, making them sound like one location. (See our Tip, above.)  Fabulous sound quality.

Recording submitted by Jeffrey Hedquist on 31 Mar 2025 - 02:18

2nd place winner: Bill Celler

Judge's Comments

A comfortable delivery, but without brief pauses at the commas, the three locations sound like one place, which can be confusing if the listener is not already aware that they are separate sites. The words “soak up” will sound like “so-kah” once covered with music. And the recording begins with a quick inhale that should have been deleted. Glottal stops add tension and make the read a bit choppy. And a few edits are a tiny bit rough. (The average person might not hear them as edits, but a casting pro will.)  Great sound quality.

Recording submitted by Bill Celler on 29 Mar 2025 - 16:09

3rd place winner: Dan Jeslis

Judge's Comments

He’s a bit forced and works the words too hard. Except that he rushes the beginning. Especially, the word “at” is almost lost. Also, there are major glottal stops, which makes the read sound choppy. The sound quality, though, is great.

Recording submitted by Dan Jeslis on 28 Jan 2025 - 21:20
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