DO...develop a versatile range.
DO...give a fantastic performance on your demo.
DO...get yourself a broadminded agent.
DO...use contacts ruthlessly.
DO...develop a thick skin.

DON'T...give up too easily. An insanely tenacious attitude will usually get you there in the end.

Jackie Edwards
Producer
Silver Fox Films
(London, UK)

Here are a few tips and tricks for your immanent auditions:

- Bring a lemon and as you step up to the mic, ask for a glass of water. Then, expertly pierce the lemon with your jackknife, squeeze some of its juice into the water and take a professional-looking swig. It's good for funny voices and makes an impression on the impressionables.

- Pretend to understand everything that you are being told by a myriad of confused directors. Even if the suggestion sounds ridiculous or obscene, just make a broad interpretation and blurt out something. If you act confused, they'll just grow more confused and frustrated and things will get worse and worse.

- Watch cartoons at home and talk back to the screen in various character voices. Discover some new voices and whip them out at your next session. Make odd noises between takes. People like to hear a plethora of voices coming out of the same little body and maybe you'll get another part.

- Do what feels good and always try to look like you're having a great time. Cartoons are supposed to be funny, and a dreary session isn't.

Mike Bade
Director
Curious Pictures
(New York, NY)

Heather Kenyon is Editor of Animation World Magazine.