When you were a kid, you probably went to family reunions and had that experience of your older relatives (for me, it was Great Uncle Harvey) pinching your cheek and telling you “My, how you’ve grown! You’ve gotten so big!”
Then they’d ask what grade you’re in now, and mutter something about time passing so quickly.
At the time, you probably didn’t understand what the fuss was about. You couldn’t see your own growth, and your parents probably never remarked on it, either, unless you had a huge growth spurt. They saw you every single day.
Now, as an adult, you’ve probably felt this…maybe when you visit friends who live in another state, and every time you visit, their kids are unrecognizable.
I used to feel it when I’d go home and see my younger cousins. I’m one of…forty-something?…first cousins on my mom’s side of the family alone, and I’m one of the oldest, so when I was in my 20s, about half of my cousins were little kids. Sometimes I’d go home, and all of a sudden, these children were towering over me like they were in the NBA and calling me “shorty” because I never made it to 5’6".
Actual footage of me (right) and my taller cousins
My point in all of this?
While we can often see the growth of others, our own growth is often invisible to us.
It happens so slowly and incrementally that we just don’t see it.
In regards to skills, or trying to make life changes, this can actually be detrimental.
We put in some work and we want change to happen FAST. And when the drastic results don’t appear, we stop putting in the work. (It’s a catch-22, that)
You think, “I’ve been working my ass off! And for WHAT??? Just to be told that I sound like I’m reading? That I’m not conversational enough. Just to be asked ‘Who are you talking to?’ YET AGAIN???”
Oooof. I feel that. It’s absolutely infuriating, isn’t it?
The frustration is real. But the lack of growth isn’t.
If you have been coaching, if you’ve been practicing, I’ll bet you that you HAVE grown. It’s just invisible to you.
But…what if you could see your before and after side by side? You know, like in any teen movie from the 80s or 90s! There was almost ALWAYS a makeover montage…
Okayyyy…twist my arm! Let’s do…A MAKEOVER!!!
If you have been at this for more than a year, I’ve got a way for you to assess your progress by looking backwards.
Here’s a way for you to hear your progress more accurately:
Find the script and specs for one of your very first auditions (ideally, you’ve been at this for more than a year)
Find the recorded audition you submitted. (I hope you still have them saved somewhere!)
Take the script and specs, and record a new version of it WITHOUT LISTENING TO THE ORIGINAL. This is important!
Edit the audition the way you would if you were submitting it today.
Now, listen to the original audition you submitted and then listen to your new version.
I’d be willing to bet that if it’s been more than a year between them, you will hear growth that you weren’t aware of.
Then what?
Nothing like a mall makeover montage!
Here are some next steps based on what you hear:
If they sound almost identical, and you haven’t had private coaching: Then it’s time to get regular one-on-one coaching. (Like no less than once a month. Any further apart, and you won’t have the momentum you need to get better) It’s better to save up until you can afford to do lessons regularly rather than doing one lesson every 3-6 months.
If they sound almost identical and you have been coaching privately at least once a month: Then it’s time for a new coach. No offense to whoever you’ve been coaching with. They might be a lovely person. They might be a great coach…for someone else. But if it’s not working for you, it’s not working for you.
If you aren’t sure how similar they sound, ask a friend for their opinion. Sometimes we aren’t the best judge of our own output, especially early on.
brb…Imma go back in time and slap myself for using a USB mic
Want to hear how EMBARRASSINGLY BAD my auditions sounded years ago? 🫣
I’m starting a new YouTube playlist where I plan to share weekly before and after VO Glow Up videos!
Here’s the first “episode” in the series. It’s pretty cringe.