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Are Daffy Script Directions Driving
You Crazy? Here's How to Cope …
By Marc Cashman
Cashman Commercials
©2008 Cashman Commercials
 Q: I’m a working voice actor who auditions a lot of different scripts, and I’m not always sure how to deliver the script when direction is provided. Sometimes they’re really explicit in what they want and other times they make no sense at all. I get a lot of copy where they ask for “conversational,” but the copy is all announce-type stuff. It’s very confusing. Also, how do I interpret the script when there’s no direction whatsoever? Any tips? A: I’m sure a lot of voice actors have faced this situation, as well. First, let’s take the scenario where direction is provided.
Sometimes there’ll be a description of the age range, the kind of voice they’re looking (listening) for, a description of the character(s) (which also includes announcers), and any other relevant or pertinent information.
There might even be a link to a voice they want you to get “close” to, or they might even want a voice match.
Sometimes they’ll give you contradictory direction like, “Depressed, but with a smile,” or “Low-key, but high energy!” or “Youthful, but mature.”
This is maddening, but it tells you something right away: they don’t have a clue as to what they want.
ACTUAL DIRECTIONS ...
In fact, here are just a few examples of actual direction from real scripts:
Big voice, punchy non-announcer?
Although these directions are not the norm, they are pretty funny, and they occur way more than they should.
TAKE TWO
But you have to read between the lines, so to speak. So what to do?
Give them two takes: one the way you think they want it, and one the way you, as an actor, think it should sound.
That said, just remember two main things: Be believable and tell a story. Be conversational if the script calls for it, even if the copy isn’t always written that way.
ANALYZE SCRIPT
Now, if there’s no direction whatsoever, you’ll just need to analyze the script to determine the most appropriate delivery. I’m assuming that you know how to analyze a script, and that you’re asking yourself these questions:
Here again, give them a take the way you think they would want it, and one the way you think it should sound.
That’s really all you can do! Make a commitment, take your best shot, and forget about it.
BANK ON IT
I have a friend who called me to howl about the stupid directions he got for an audition:
"This voice should be deep. Commanding. Full of intrigue. And tough. It’s a cross between a killer movie trailer voice and a killer tough truck voice. Not too announcery, though. Cheesy reads will be prosecuted."
Deep, commanding, but not too announcery?
Well, he figured out what they thought they wanted, sent it in and forgot about it - until he booked it: a national network Class-A TV V-O. He’s still laughing at that direction - all the way to the bank.
LABEL THE FILE
Oh, one other thing: if they have specific directions on how to label your sound file (if you’re submitting an MP3, as opposed to a live audition situation), make sure you follow the template they give you - to the letter.
Marc Cashman creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, he also instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques, in Los Angeles. He also offers one-on-one coaching via email or phone.
Email: cashcomm@earthlink.net
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