In order to be a successful voice actor, we’ve got to be outstanding at a lot of different things, including script analysis, marketing, and recording. It’s a life-long journey that’s always challenging and never boring! Naturally, the ultimate goal is to book an audition, and as our auditioning skills improve, bookings will increase.
However, one important aspect of having ongoing success as a voice actor that’s not given as much attention is the importance of being able to take direction. In fact, being directable will ultimately make or break your voice-over career! 
You’ve heard the saying, “time is money”, and this is never truer than when it comes to studio production hours. When you have finally booked that long-awaited job, and you are standing in the studio booth, looking out at the engineer, director, client, and possibly more folks, you can be sure that there’s a lot of money riding on the session. Your ability to deliver what the director wants, in the allotted studio time, is paramount.
If you are recording in your home studio, you will often be directed remotely; and while the client may not be paying for studio time, you are still dealing with the valuable time of the director and others on the call.
This means you must learn how to stay calm, receptive, and playfully creative under stressful conditions.
I believe that preparation is the key to being in control of what can feel, at times, like a very out-of-control situation.
When you have booked a job, and the studio session date and time are set, make sure to get a copy of the final script as soon as possible. Whether you have five hours or five minutes of prep time, focus on the writer’s intention for the read, and review the personal, specific choices you made in the initial audition that got you the job. Don’t be afraid to make brighter, more entertaining choices with your delivery when the director asks you to deliver your first performance in the session. This is called taking risks! Directors are usually delighted to have a voice actor who brings something fresh and unexpected to the script.
One thing that can surprise and sometimes throw new voice-actors off-kilter is the fact that you may be asked to perform the script in an entirely different way than you did in your winning audition. Remember that when you were selected, out of all the other voice actors, they picked you because they felt that your unique characteristics fit what they were looking for in the role. There are many reasons we can be booked for a role, including likability and the confidence we exude in our audition.
Prepare
The irony of preparing and making strong choices for your recording session is that you also have to be completely open to going in an entirely different direction if the director takes you there. Your strong initial choices give you confidence and show your terrific acting skills; your ability to be flexible and deliver what the director wants makes you a voice actor who will be in demand over and over again.
Listen
Being directable means listening intently to what the director is telling you and being able to make adjustments. It’s extremely important to focus on what the director is saying, and not what may be going on in the room, or the thoughts going on inside your head. Be vigilant and know that when we are nervous: our listening skills are sometimes the first to go.
Breathe
Have you ever noticed that when we are nervous we often hold our breath? Not good for a voice actor! Take deep, meditative breaths before your session and any time during it that you feel nervous. Also, be sure to mark your script at the appropriate places to take a breath.
Don’t Explain or Argue
When the director calls for you to do something different in the next take, happily make the adjustment and try again. Don’t make excuses or argue about why you did it that way.
Don’t Criticize Yourself
Never provide commentary on your performance. If you blurt out: “Oh, that was awful, can I do it again?” you may anger the director, as they may have thought it was great, and it may make them lose confidence in you. Always wait to see what the director says after each take.
Have Fun
It can’t be stressed enough that folks who are likable and are fun to be around get hired. Be sure to tell yourself before every session that you are there to have fun and bring a lightness and carefree confidence to the room!
