VO Pro Tip: The Second Take

Published 2 months ago • 1 min read

The Second Take

Hey Reader,

We’ve all been there. You finish a solid first take, feel good about it, and then the audition request (or the client) asks for a "Take 2."

You take a breath, pause for a moment, and... you basically give them the exact same read, just maybe 2% different.

It feels safe, but it doesn't give the client the variety they actually need to make a choice. It also doesn't do much to demonstrate your versatility as a talent.

If you want to ensure your second take is a true alternative, you need a Hard Reset.

Here is the pro tip: Physically change something before you start Take 2.

Change Your Posture: If you were leaning in for Take 1, stand up straighter or shift your weight to the other foot for Take 2.
The "Patter" Reset: Say a quick, unrelated sentence out loud in a completely different tone—like a sports announcer or a cartoon character—right before you dive back into the script. It "breaks" the muscle memory of your first read.
Change the Audience: If Take 1 was for a "trusted mentor," make Take 2 for a "skeptical best friend."

The goal isn't just to "do it differently"—it's to prevent your brain from slipping back into the groove you just carved.

Next time you’re in the booth, don’t just dive right in to Take 2. Reset, shift, and give them a brand-new choice.

-Michael

Check out all of the past VO Pro Tips here! VO PRO TIP ARCHIVE

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Thanks so much!

Curious about my own personal VO Work?

www.MichaelLangsnerVO.com

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