Do You Need a Directed Session? A Guide for Voice Over Clients (Part 1)

You've finalized the script, you've chosen your voice actor, and you're ready to record. Now you face a critical question: should you "be there" for the recording, or should you let the voice actor handle it on their own?

Welcome to the world of directed vs. self-directed sessions. Understanding the difference is the key to ensuring your project runs smoothly, on budget, and results in a final product you love. This guide will walk you through the two options to help you decide which path is right for your project.

The Hands-Off Approach: The Self-Directed Session

A self-directed session is exactly what it sounds like. You provide the final script to the voice actor along with your creative notes—details on the desired tone, pace, energy, and target audience. The actor then records on their own, using their professional judgment to interpret your direction, edit the audio, and deliver a broadcast-quality file.

A key factor in this decision is the experience level of the voice actor. A seasoned professional with a strong portfolio in your specific genre (like corporate narration or e-learning) can often deliver a perfect read with minimal guidance. They have excellent script analysis skills and can be trusted to make smart performance choices. If you're confident in the actor's experience, self-direction can be a highly efficient choice.

A self-directed session is ideal when:

• The script is straightforward (e-learning, internal videos, voicemails).

• You have a crystal-clear vision and have provided detailed notes.

• You are working with an experienced voice actor you trust.

• You value maximum speed and efficiency.

The Collaborative Approach: What is a Directed Session?

A directed session is a collaborative, real-time recording session where you and your team can listen in while the voice actor performs. It’s a live-directed voice over session where you can provide immediate feedback, make adjustments on the fly, and sign off on the final performance before the session ends.

Think of it as having the actor right there in the room with you, even if they're thousands of miles away.

A directed session is the best choice when:

• Nuance is everything: For broadcast commercials or high-stakes brand videos, the specific timing and emotional delivery are critical.

• You want to experiment: A live session lets you hear multiple takes and choose the perfect one instantly.

• Your script contains tricky pronunciations: If your script is filled with complex medical terms, technical jargon, specific company acronyms, or the names of people and places, a live session is invaluable. While you can provide a guide, hearing it in real-time allows for immediate correction, saving you from a final audio file riddled with performance choices you didn't care for.

• You need absolute peace of mind: For projects with multiple stakeholders or clients who need final approval, a directed session ensures everyone is happy before the recording is finalized.

A Quick Checklist: Should You Direct?

Still not sure? Ask yourself these questions about your project:

1. Is the emotional tone complex, with multiple shifts or layers of subtext?

2. Is the timing critical (e.g., it must fit a pre-edited 30-second video)?

3. Does the script contain jargon, acronyms, or names that absolutely must be pronounced correctly?

4. Is this my first time working with this voice actor, or are they new to me and possibly the voice over industry?

5. Do multiple team members (or your own client) need to approve the performance?

If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, investing in a directed session is a wise choice that will save you time and guarantee you get the exact performance you envisioned.

Coming up in Part 2: Now that you know if you need a directed session, we'll cover the "how." We'll explain the simple technology used for a remote voice over recording, including the industry-standard Source Connect, and share our best practices for giving feedback to voice talent to ensure your session is a flawless success.

Thanks For Reading!

To learn more about me, hear some samples, or download my demos, just go to www.tomdheere.com.

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Tom Dheere is a voice actor with over 25 years of experience narrating just about every type of voiceover you can think of. He also helps other voice talents navigate the voiceover industry as the VO Strategist. When not voicing or talking about voicing, he produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.