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Commercial Voice Over Casting Director from Sound and Fury, Tina Morasco

The Art of Voiceover Casting: Insights from Tina Morasco

In today's episode, we're about to break the internet with the help of the incredibly talented and smart casting director, Tina Morasco from Sound and Fury. Tina is not only an actress and voice actor but also a coach, specifically a voice-over coach, with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Sound and Fury, co-founded by Jill Kershaw, Carly Silver, and Marissa Holmes, is a powerhouse in the industry, handling everything from creative aspects to business affairs.

Embracing Authenticity in Voiceovers

Now, let's dive into what makes a good audition according to Tina. It's not just about following directions and getting the technical aspects right, although that's important. What truly stands out is authenticity and connection. Tina wants to hear your genuine self, your unique perspective, and your engagement with the story. She emphasizes the importance of grounding your voice in reality, avoiding the typical commercial melodious reads.

To illustrate this, Tina gives a compelling example. Imagine you're asked to say, "Introducing the new Toyota Camry," without any context. Instead of the usual melodic variations, she encourages actors to imagine a scenario where they genuinely respond to something, like showing off the new car to a skeptical friend or witnessing a car crash and highlighting the safety features. This approach creates a more engaging, authentic performance that stands out.

The Casting Process Unveiled

Tina's approach to casting is all about finding that authentic connection. She listens for engagement and relatability, rather than polished, manipulative reads. Her advice challenges actors to break away from the typical commercial sound and bring real emotion and connection to their auditions.

Tina explains that due to the pandemic and the need for home studio quality, Sound and Fury began casting projects nationwide instead of focusing on specific markets like LA or New York. This change opened up opportunities for actors from smaller regional agencies who might not have been considered otherwise. The process involves a creative call with the agency, where they extract every detail and nuance to create the specs, which are the guiding light for the casting.

When it comes to selecting submissions, Tina listens for three things: the right age and demographic, good sound quality, and most importantly, authentic engagement in the opening moments of the audition. She emphasizes the importance of following the specs, as they contain all the clues and keys to what the creative team is looking for.

Tina's process involves a "weeding out" process where she listens to hundreds of auditions, quickly sorting them into yes or no categories based on these criteria. Once she narrows down the selection, she listens more closely to each audition, looking for unique perspectives and storytelling abilities. The final selection is shaped like sculpting clay, refining the choices down to about 80, which are then sent to the editing team for final processing.

Tina's approach highlights the importance of authenticity and connection in auditions, and how these factors can make or break an actor's chances of being selected for a role.

The Future of Voiceover Casting

Looking ahead, Tina sees a continued demand for genuine, human voices in voiceover work. Despite advancements in AI, Tina believes that true spontaneity and connection can only come from human actors. She shared insights from her course, "The Library," which distills her decades of experience into actionable techniques for actors. The course covers fundamental coaching techniques, helping actors find the story in every script and craft their performances effectively. Tina's course is a valuable resource for actors looking to improve their craft and make a lasting impression in the industry.

As the industry continues to evolve, Tina's wisdom serves as a beacon for actors seeking to connect deeply with their audience and elevate their craft in the world of voiceovers.