VO Pro Tip: Receiving Direction with Active Listening

Published about 2 months ago • 1 min read

Voice-Over Pro Tip

Active Listening in Direction

Hey Reader,

When you receive direction from a client or casting director, it's easy to just hear the words and immediately try to apply them. But truly mastering direction goes beyond simply understanding what's said. It's about active listening.

Active listening in VO means fully engaging with the direction, both spoken and unspoken. It involves paying close attention not just to the specific adjectives (like "warm," "energetic," "soft-spoken"), but also to the context and the client's intent.

Here's a tip: After receiving direction, take a moment to mentally (or even physically) paraphrase it back to yourself. For example, if they say "We want this to sound more friendly," you might internally rephrase it as, "Okay, they're looking for a tone that feels approachable, like I'm talking to a neighbor, rather than a formal announcement." This helps solidify your understanding and prevents misinterpretation.

Also, listen for keywords and emotional cues. Are they talking about the audience's feeling? The product's benefit? Sometimes a single word can unlock the entire read. And if something isn't clear, don't be afraid to politely ask a clarifying question! It shows you're engaged and committed to delivering exactly what they need.

By practicing active listening, you'll find yourself hitting the mark more consistently, leading to fewer retakes and happier clients who feel truly heard.

-Michael

If you have a question or topic you'd like me to address in a future email like this - just reply to this email and let me know!

Hope you find this useful! Feel free to reach out with any questions! And if you find these emails helpful - please share VoiceoverRoadmap.com among any VO groups your part of - Facebook, Reddit, etc... or just tell others about it!

Thanks so much!

-Michael

Curious about my own personal VO Work?

www.MichaelLangsnerVO.com

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