I've booked a few commercials before, but this is my first NATIONAL! Airing in all 50 states baby!
So as you may know, I'm currently signed to 2 different talent agencies. I got a voice-over audition from Agency #1 that was due on June 14th for a Checkers/Rally's commercial. Now, a lot of the time, I feel like these commercial auditions aren't too specific about the sound that they want. So, I often feel like I'm throwing something on the wall and hoping it sticks. "What's meant for me will not pass me by" is the mentality I have when completing any audition, so I try not to put pressure on myself. I remember when I initially got the email thinking, "The client notes are not specific at all. I don't know what they want, so imma just do whatever and hope they like it" Like seriously, what does it mean to sound like I have a "good personality"? I guess they don't want a serious read but please give me more direction! What does that really mean?
Funny enough, I just found the original email so that I can reference it for this blog post, and tell me why there's a video link to a past commercial that I was supposed to reference for my audition. Yeah, I don't know what was going on with me that day where I didn't see that link, but I just watched the video for the first time and it would have answered all of my questions. I would have sent in a completely different, and arguably better, audition tape. Friendly reminder to read everything in the email. Reading is fundamental.
So on June 14th at 9:52 am (7 minutes before the deadline) I sent in my audition to Agency #1 and didn't hear anything back! Until...
Agency #2 sent me an audition request on June 19th that's due on the following day. I'm reading the email and the details feel familiar. I check my notes and see that I've already done this exact audition for Checkers/Rally's. I'm drafting up an email to decline the audition. "Hey! Thank you so much for the opportunity but I've already auditioned for this spot through my other agent." Something in me told me to not press send. I look at the email again and notice an audio file. I listen and notice something interesting. This is an audition tape! This person is reading the same script that I originally read, says her name at the end, and names her agency! (She's also signed with Agency #1) I looked her up and did some light stalking and came to the conclusion that she was probably originally cast for this role but for whatever reason could not do it anymore. So, this second audition that came through is looking to recast. Well, if that's the case, let me give it another shot! I reread the email, closely this time, and see "They are looking for someone that sounds similar to the sample audition attached." This time I read the script with a similar vibe to the audio file while still letting my individuality shine through and sent it in at 7:30 am the next morning. (30 minutes before the deadline this time)
5 hours later, I got an email from Agency #2 that I was in the top selects for the role and if I was available to record the following day at the recording studio. I emailed back saying that I was available and immediately started asking the work group chat if someone could take my shift. At 5:10 pm my agent congratulates me on my booking! It's official, I'm the voice of this Checkers/ Rally's commercial. I text my boss that I won't be coming in for my shift and that I don't have anyone to cover me.
Ah, June 21st, 2024! I drive to the Chicago recording studio and conveniently find street parking right across the street. I walk in, excited to do the thing I was put on this earth to do; act! On days like this I always just feel immense gratitude because I know that the day where I am privileged enough to do this full-time, is not that far away. Anyway, I met the team and introduced myself. They were eating lunch, it was 12:30, and offered to buy me some food. I declined, as I ate beforehand and excused myself to the restroom. When I came back, I spent the next 3 hours recording the same few scripts over and over again, and enjoying every second!
After the first couple of times, the sound engineer edits one of my takes into the commercial and I see a very rough cut of what the final will look like. There's a TV in front of me and I hear my voice mixed in with some background music and sound effects, with the images of crispy chicken flying across the screen. In this moment, it hits me. This is real. People all across the United States will see this commercial and hear my voice. I could have started crying happy tears but quickly held them back for fear of looking unprofessional.
Also, I've booked a few regional commercials before; both voice-over and live-action. But, none of them aired in Chicago and were impossible for me to find online. (Don't worry, the checks cleared every single time) So, not only is this commercial a big deal for me because it's my first national, but it's also the first time that I will have actually seen a commercial that I'm in.
It's finally out, my first national commercial! I'm so excited to share it with you! Watch it here first and make sure to keep an eye out for it in the wild. It'll be airing on TV and Radio for the next month and a half!
👏👏👏👏