Should You Follow the Directions in a Voice Over Audition?

Gabby Nistico and I talked about taking risks on our Wednesday live. Someone in the chat asked the question every newer voice actor has. If the directions say one thing, can you take a chance and do the opposite?

Should I ever ignore the audition directions?

Only after you've followed them.

Gabby put it in a way I love. She lives by the rule that directions are meant to be followed, and then completely ignored. Both, in the same audition.

“Always give them what they asked for. Give them your best interpretation of the thing it is that they're looking for, but then provide something unexpected.”

Gabby Nistico, VO Journey Academy Live, 21 Oct 2026

That second take shows the people deciding that you're thinking about the material. You're not just reading the words or going through the motions. Gabby calls that being a thinking, working actor. Some actors walk in like a lump of clay, waiting to be told what to do. Where's the artistry in that?

Should their take or mine go first?

Usually theirs.

You don't want to come in too hot with something way out of left field. Gabby's point is that a wild first take can make them think you didn't read the directions or don't understand the character. Do their version first. Then give them something different.

Now, I'll tell on myself here. What I end up doing is listening back and putting the take I like most first, whichever one it is. That's just me. Gabby agreed it's another option when you truly believe your interpretation is stronger than what they asked for. Sometimes you've got to go with your gut. It's case by case.

What does taking a risk in an audition actually mean?

Doing the thing you think you're not supposed to do.

Maybe you're sillier than you normally are. Maybe you're more intense, or you show an emotion you usually don't show, or you build a character that's funny or sad or angry in a way you've never tried. And you're worried that if you do too much, it'll be embarrassing. You might not get the job.

So many times it turns out it wasn't that bad. And people are amazed. Even though it feels really strange to you at first.

Remember why we get hired. We're paid to communicate in a way other people can't. If you think of it that way, you're auditioning to do something beyond what other people can do. So you need to try it.

Why is it so hard to take risks as an actor?

Because as adults we've been conditioned not to fail where people can see it.

Gabby said it well. Taking a risk means risking embarrassment, even ridicule. It means doing something you're not a hundred percent sure of and being willing to try. Kids will try and fail spectacularly over and over until they get it. That's how they learn. It's how we learn.

In class I tell people I give them permission to play. I don't think we play enough. Use your imagination and your creativity, and go beyond what we've had beaten into our heads as grown-ups about fitting in.

How do you take a big risk and not let it get to you?

Go all out, then let it go.

We used to run online conferences, which is one of the ways Gabby and I built our friendship. Pat Fraley came on one of them and talked about auditioning. He'd leave everything on the table. He'd take one big risk, go all out however crazy it needed to be, and then forget about it and move on to the next one.

That's the part people miss. The risk only costs you something if you carry every audition around with you afterwards. If you want a feel for how many auditions it takes to book one job, here's my take on the auditions numbers game.

Can I audition for a role written for someone else?

Yes, and it's worked.

Someone in the chat said they'd done a spicy audition that called for a woman, using a male voice. I've done that kind of thing myself, and I've had other people do it. They've had a lot of success auditioning for roles written for the opposite sex. The person comes back and says, I actually really liked your voice and your take on this. I thought it would be better the other way, but I'm going to work with you.

In the end, you really don't know what someone will choose. Some people want exactly what they wrote. Someone else hears the opposite and says that's exactly what they wanted. They didn't even know it. You can't tell in advance, so stay true to how you decide to go about it. That gives you a compass.

Frequently asked questions

What to do next

Watch the full conversation with Gabby. The second half gets into taking risks in your business, from hiring help to paying yourself. Then practice. Pick a script, record their read, then record yours.