Read the Room: Following Directions in Voiceover Like a Professional

Anne Ganguzza
8 hours ago
3 min read

with Lau Lapides & Carol Alpert

BOSSes host Anne Ganguzza is joined by co-host Lau Lapides and special guest Carol Alpert (voice actor and on-camera coach) to tackle the industry’s most persistent headache: the inability of talent to follow instructions. Whether it's ignoring age ranges in casting specs, butchering file naming, or losing patience during a live session, failing to follow the "rules" of an audition is the fastest way to get your file tossed. The hosts stress that being a "trained actor" means being disciplined enough to read between the lines and respect the client's process.

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For an even deeper dive into the conversation, you can view the full episode below. Don't forget to subscribe to the VO Boss YouTube channel for more exclusive content and expert advice!

Chapter Summaries

The Casting Filter: Why 70% Get Ditched

(01:48) Lau Lapides reveals a shocking statistic: in a recent casting for 35–45 year olds, 70% of the auditions were from talent clearly outside that age range. Agents use specs to filter talent quickly; if you submit for a role you clearly don't fit, you are essentially asking to be ignored. Following the demographic specs is the first step in following directions in voiceover.

The File Naming Pet Peeve

(07:04) Proper file naming is not just a suggestion; it’s a structural necessity. When an agent or casting assistant is processing hundreds of files, an incorrectly named file can disrupt their entire workflow. Lau notes that talent often doesn't see the "assembly line" of 10–40 people involved in a single gig; naming your file correctly shows you respect their time.

"Early is On Time": The Reality of Deadlines

(11:12) While some pay-to-play sites are instantaneous, agency turnarounds are often measured in hours. Lau asserts that the strongest auditions usually come in within the first few hours of a posting. Being "trained" means having the discipline to interpret, record, and execute an audition professionally and quickly without procrastinating.

Cold Reading and Tracking Skills

(13:05) A common reason talent fail to follow directions is a lack of ocular tracking skills. Many people listen to content rather than reading it, leading to a decline in the ability to scan a script and pick up nuances quickly. The hosts recommend cold-reading classes to ensure your eyes can track words and directions simultaneously.

Live Direction: Active Listening and Communication

(31:09) During a live directed session, following instructions becomes a matter of active listening. Lau recommends repeating directions back to the client to ensure clarity. She also warns that talent are often replaced not because of their voice, but because of a poor attitude or lack of patience when being redirected.

The "Relationship" Slope: Business vs. Contract

(41:23) While it's important to stick to contracts, the hosts discuss the value of being cooperative. Doing an extra tag or a small favor can "earn" you a client for the next ten years. It’s about weighing small battles versus the long-term war of building a sustainable career through professional relationships.

Top 10 Takeaways for Voice Actors:

Coaching is the Prerequisite: Never produce a demo until you have reached a level of performance competency. Four hours of coaching is never enough.
Length Matters: Ensure your demo follows industry standard lengths: ~60s for Commercial/Promo, ~90-120s for Corporate/E-learning.
No Mishmash Demos: Do not mix genres. Keep your commercial demo strictly commercial; don't include promo, imaging, or narration.
Acting Over Announcing: Casting directors want storytellers, not just great voices. Invest in acting classes to move beyond "reading" the copy.
Audit the Environment: A demo must reflect a professional recording environment. If your home studio isn't ready, your demo isn't either.
Demand Custom Scripts: Avoid producers who use stock scripts. Your demo should be vocally branded to your unique strengths.
Vet Your Producer: Listen to a producer’s recent work and ask about their specific directing process before hiring them.
Understand "The Promise": A demo is a promise to the client that you can deliver that exact quality and performance from your home studio.
Look for Education Over Sales: Be wary of companies that push demo production as a "starter package" without a significant focus on foundational training.
Check the Recourse: Read the terms of service and return policies before making a deposit for any voiceover demo production service.

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