Everyday VOpreneur® with Marc Scott

Episode: How to Stand Out and Stop Playing It Safe in Your VO Auditions

Guest: Kelly Moscinski
Release Date: September 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Marc Scott interviews casting director Kelly Moscinski, who brings nearly two decades of experience in voiceover casting. Together, they dig deep into the art and strategy of standing out in VO auditions by moving beyond safe choices and embracing one's authentic self. Listeners are treated to practical insights, behind-the-scenes realities of casting, and actionable advice for building a sustainable, standout VO career.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kelly’s Journey from Michigan to LA (07:52-10:34)

• Kelly shares her story of sending out 300+ cover letters, hustling with little response, and ultimately moving to LA on faith alone.
• A months-old mailed resume led to her first break at The Voice Caster.
• She contrasts the "energy" in casting versus talent agencies and highlights the importance of leaning into what you love.

“I submitted to over 300 back in the day when it was actual cover letters and resumes through the mail…”
— Kelly, 07:52

2. The Audition Black Hole & the Myth of Client Certainty (10:35-14:10)

• Marc reads a quote from Kelly about the uncertainty of who actually hears your audition.
• Kelly uses the "bowl of M&Ms" analogy to explain casting: not rejection, just not being picked that day.
• Both stress that you never know what a client truly wants—often even the client doesn’t know.

“Spoiler alert: we don’t know what we want.”
— Kelly, 13:10

3. What Makes Auditions Stand Out? (15:04-17:23, 24:51-28:45)

• Authenticity and personality are key: “Be unapologetically themselves. I call it authentically unfiltered.” (00:00, 59:44)
• The danger of perfectionism: Flaws, stumbles, and quirks make actors memorable.
• The conversational trend: Overused and now boring without personality behind it.

“We want to hear the imperfections. We want to hear the flaws. We want to hear your personality.”
— Kelly, 15:04

First Take Strategy (21:35–22:53)

• Most actors submit the "safe take" first, assuming that’s what the client wants. But this is often the least interesting.
• Strong advice: Try doing takes before reading the specs!
• Only the first 3-5 seconds even get heard—make them count.

"If you slate and I said not to, [it] automatically goes into the no folder."
— Kelly, 00:00, 19:08

4. Technical Mistakes: Following Instructions is Crucial (17:23-23:47)

• Up to 25% of submissions are trashed for basic instruction errors (wrong file names, incorrect slating, etc.).
• Following details is an easy way to boost your chances significantly.

“If I collect 15 auditions, how many am I going to throw out this time?”
— Marc, 18:46

“10%...taking themselves out because they can’t label a file.”
— Kelly, 19:44

5. The Power and Pitfall of the “Wild Card” (29:22-34:48)

• Casting directors love wild card choices that don't rigidly follow specs—sometimes, those book the job.
• However, going too far (e.g., rewriting scripts) crosses a line.

“I submit wild cards because of that, because [clients] don’t know.”
— Kelly, 31:51

6. Alt-Takes and Personality: Strategies to Show Range (24:51-28:45, 29:22-32:08)

• Submit takes tapping into different “versions” of yourself—like talking to a partner vs. a child; different moods.
• Ad-libs and lead-in lines can make a take pop.
• Alt-takes work best when they display an authentic perspective.

7. What Clients Really Care About (35:05-37:22)

• Perfect files and over-produced audio are overrated: raw authenticity often wins.
• Removing all breaths can kill authenticity—clients know you breathe!

“Number one is perfection. Number two is perfect editing and post production and audio quality. I have booked a lot of people with not amazing audio quality.”
— Kelly, 35:05

8. Can Anyone Book? (37:34-38:32)

• Yes, anyone—newbies to veterans, anywhere in the world—can book national spots as long as they deliver what’s needed.

“It could be anybody from any town, anywhere, USA… as long as you deliver…”
— Marc, 37:59

9. Industry Shifts: 2025 and Beyond (41:43-46:50)

• Flaws and imperfections are now a trend; “do nothing” reads are boring unless you add PERSONALITY.
• There’s a subtle resurgence of “announcer” reads, now delivered genuinely.
• The home studio revolution greatly expanded opportunities for remote talent.

“Announcer reads…they want these genuine more announcer-y sounds which has been fun.”
— Kelly, 44:50

10. Long-Term Keys to Success & Avoiding Complacency (49:21-55:48)

• It’s always about the person and having great relationships; the “good people” last.
• VO is a collaborative industry: be easy and fun to work with!
• Regular feedback/coaching is necessary—even for successful talent—to avoid stagnation and keep up with trends.

“Be difficult in a session. I don’t have to work with you.”
— Kelly, 47:55

11. Building and Sustaining Confidence (54:22-56:13)

• Confidence is everything but often comes after that first big booking.
• Perseverance and willingness to keep learning pay off—sometimes it takes years before landing a job, but those who stick with it eventually succeed.
• Building confidence through positive feedback and "shortlists" can help bridge the gap before booking.

12. Services and Resources from Kelly (56:13-59:00)

• Kelly introduces Voice Caster Lab: digital training, on-demand classes, performance challenges, feedback, and a supportive community.
• Membership offers daily engagement, audition feedback, and more.

“My signature course… is the finding your authentic voice.”
— Kelly, 56:16

Notable Quotes

• On Following Your Instincts:
  “Before you even look at the specs, when you get a script, hop in the booth, do a few takes just solely based on instinct. Don’t even look at the specs…a lot of times those end up being the strongest takes.”
  — Kelly, 29:22

• On File Labeling and Technical Compliance:
  “If you slate and I said not to, automatically goes in the no folder."
  — Kelly, 19:08

• On Authenticity:
  “I want you to be unapologetically themselves. I call it authentically unfiltered.”
  — Kelly, 00:00, 59:44

• On the First 3-5 Seconds:
  “Those first three to five seconds can tell me if you love what you do and would be fun to work with.”
  — Kelly, 48:23

• On the Only Constant in VO Success:
  “It has always been about the person behind the voice.”
  — Kelly, 46:50

Important Timestamps

• [07:52] — Kelly shares her path into casting, perseverance, and patience.
• [10:35] — Dealing with the “audition black hole.”
• [13:10] — “We don’t know what we want”—debunking client certainty.
• [15:04] — The value of authenticity and personality in auditions.
• [19:08] — The file labeling/slate process and ruthless sorting.
• [21:35] — How first impressions in auditions work.
• [24:51] — How to make your audition stand out—personality, point of view, specific intention.
• [29:22] — Strategies for alternate/wild card takes.
• [35:05] — What casting directors really care about (hint: it’s not your perfect audio).
• [37:59] — Leveling the playing field: anyone can book.
• [41:43] — Trends for 2025–2026.
• [44:50] — “Announcer” reads are back, but with a new flavor.
• [46:50] — The one thing that never changes in great talent.
• [54:22] — Advice for the “almost there but not quite” talent.
• [56:13] — Overview of Voice Caster Lab training and membership.
• [59:44] — If Kelly could grant VOs one superpower, it's being “authentically unfiltered.”

Conclusion

In this lively, information-packed interview, Kelly Moscinski demystifies what casting directors look for, urges actors to ditch the safe choices, and empowers everyone—from beginner to pro—to embrace their quirks, voice their truth, and approach every audition with professionalism and confidence. If you want to stand out, stop playing it safe and start being your most “authentically unfiltered” self.

Further Resources

• Voice Caster: voicecaster.com
• Voice Caster Lab: voicecasterlab.com
• Everyday VOpreneur Podcast: vopreneur.com