My radio DJ audition

I auditioned to be a radio DJ today. It was totally unplanned – a couple of my colleagues were going and I tagged along out of curiosity. Unfortunately, what was really only a 15 minute exercise became over an hour, and I, more bored than anything, agreed to audition to “make my time worthwhile”. Besides, I was really curious about the audition process and the only way I was going to find out how they do it was by doing it myself.

So there I was, staring down a microphone in a recording room, scripts on a music stand before me. It reminded me of all those behind-the-scenes clips I’ve seen of actors recording their roles for an animation feature, which made it all seem a lot cooler than it probably really is. All I had to do was: a) read a news bulletin in my serious voice; b) read a public service announcement in my conversational voice; c) talk about myself.

The news bulletin was easy, the public service announcement probably didn’t sound very conversational, and I totally winged c) because I did not have anything prepared. My aim was just to get into the recording room and check it out for myself, which I accomplished.

I must say, though, having watched the boys audition for some TV thingy a few years ago and having auditioned for a TV commercial once myself, this was the easiest of the lot. It probably has much to do with the fact that I’m faced with a microphone and not a video camera. My TV commercial audition was a disaster – I swear I’m not exaggerating – because I froze when the camera was turned on. The fact that I didn’t prepare for this because I didn’t intend to do it also means there was no pressure and no expectations. Hindsight did not do its usual “I should have done this” trip on me because I didn’t really care. I have no regrets and it all turned out pretty fun.

So did I get it? I don’t know. I guess if they call me in the next couple of days it will mean I did enough to warrant a second meeting, but I’m not really hoping – or caring. I’m leaving it completely open. I walked in without a resume or even filling out all the necessary paperwork so to walk out with a new experience is already a couple hours well-spent in my book. One thing’s for sure: this is something I never even imagined I would ever do.