W3 Spin|Internet news blog

While you can learn a lot about potential voice talent through face-to-face interviewing and listening to demo tapes, you will also need a sample script that will help you gauge if an applicant is the right fit for the job. With a well-chosen sample script, you can get a sense for the tone and style of the voice actor or actress you are interviewing, and hear an example of the kind of work they do.

You don’t need to give applicants too long to prepare for a sample script reading, as there is generally no line memorization involved. The applicants can make use of the script as they perform their reading, so they should only need an hour or so to get comfortable with the script before going into the studio.

The vocal style and tone of the actor or actress is an important consideration for companies looking to have voice work done. First, you must decide on the demographic at which your marketing is directed. Having a particular group in mind is the first step towards figuring out what you want in a voice actor, and this is doubly important in that it streamlines the hiring process by narrowing the pool of talent and reducing the number of applicants you must interview.

No matter what type of business or industry you’re in, you’ll need to compile a collection of different types of scripts to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of each applicant. The best way to do this is narrow down your field to a few key themes. Is your business producing a comedic advertisement? A serious monologue? A public service announcement that requires a more journalistic or reporting tone? Once you’ve established the general theme and tone of your campaign, the next step is tracking down a similar script that encourages the talent to adopt, or in some cases create, the unique voice.

Finding voice over scripts is easy with a simple search online. Many script databases are available free of charge, and give you a chance to search by keyword, theme, or subject. Look for scripts that are similar in scope to your field, or pick something that challenges the applicant to try different styles and themes. Many voice over script collections are royalty-free, affordable, and from trusted sites and projects. These can also be a great resource for developing and adapting your own scripts, and give you some more ideas for making different types of scripts with your key goals in mind.

The final step involves completing a demo script. Demo scripts need to be recorded so you can review them side by side with the entire applicant pool; it’s important to capture at least two to three different scripts per applicant that demonstrate the talent’s ability to be flexible, and gauge their comfort level with various styles. Demos can be recorded in your own recording studio, or requested as part of the initial application.

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