Read the Room — and the Directions
Tue Feb 03 2026
BOSSes host Anne Ganguzza is joined by co-host Lau Lapides and special guest Carol Alpert (voice actor and on-camera coach) to tackle the industry's most persistent headache: the inability of talent to follow instructions. Whether it's ignoring age ranges in casting specs, butchering file naming, or losing patience during a live session, failing to follow the "rules" of an audition is the fastest way to get your file tossed. The hosts stress that being a "trained actor" means being disciplined enough to read between the lines and respect the client's process.
The Casting Filter: Why 70% Get Ditched (01:48) Lau Lapides reveals a shocking statistic: in a recent casting for 35–45 year olds, 70% of the auditions were from talent clearly outside that age range. Agents use specs to filter talent quickly; if you submit for a role you clearly don't fit, you are essentially asking to be ignored. Following the demographic specs is the first step in following directions in voiceover.
The File Naming Pet Peeve (07:04) Proper file naming is not just a suggestion; it's a structural necessity. When an agent or casting assistant is processing hundreds of files, an incorrectly named file can disrupt their entire workflow. Lau notes that talent often doesn't see the "assembly line" of 10–40 people involved in a single gig; naming your file correctly shows you respect their time.
"Early is On Time": The Reality of Deadlines (11:12) While some pay-to-play sites are instantaneous, agency turnarounds are often measured in hours. Lau asserts that the strongest auditions usually come in within the first few hours of a posting. Being "trained" means having the discipline to interpret, record, and execute an audition professionally and quickly without procrastinating.
Cold Reading and Tracking Skills (13:05) A common reason talent fail to follow directions is a lack of ocular tracking skills. Many people listen to content rather than reading it, leading to a decline in the ability to scan a script and pick up nuances quickly. The hosts recommend cold-reading classes to ensure your eyes can track words and directions simultaneously.
Live Direction: Active Listening and Communication (31:09) During a live directed session, following instructions becomes a matter of active listening. Lau recommends repeating directions back to the client to ensure clarity. She also warns that talent are often replaced not because of their voice, but because of a poor attitude or lack of patience when being redirected.
The "Relationship" Slope: Business vs. Contract (41:23) While it's important to stick to contracts, the hosts discuss the value of being cooperative. Doing an extra tag or a small favor can "earn" you a client for the next ten years. It's about weighing small battles versus the long-term war of building a sustainable career through professional relationships.
Top 10 Takeaways for Voice Actors: Read the Specs Twice: Ensure you fit the age, gender, and ethnicity requirements before stepping into the booth.
Master File Naming: Follow the naming convention provided exactly. It is the most common reason auditions are discarded without being heard.
Early is Best: While you should never rush quality, aim to submit your audition as early as possible to capture the agent's attention.
Practice Cold Reading: Maintain your ocular tracking skills by reading aloud for at least 15 minutes a day to stay sharp for quick turnarounds.
Listen and Repeat: In directed sessions, repeat the client's instructions back to them to confirm you understand the requested adjustment.
Silence Your Ego: If a client asks for 100 takes, provide them professionally. Frustration or an "attitude" is a faster way to get fired than a bad take.
Check Your Tech: Before a live session, verify that SourceConnect and your DAW are updated and functioning. Technical failures are a failure to follow prep instructions.
The Agent is the Middleman: Don't get annoyed if your agent doesn't have every answer; they copy and paste exactly what the client gives them.
Interpret, Don't Just Comprehend: Moving beyond just "reading the words" to understanding the story is part of your professional instruction.
Build the Relationship: Being cooperative and "easy to work with" is often more valuable to a client than being the most talented person in the room.
More
BOSSes host Anne Ganguzza is joined by co-host Lau Lapides and special guest Carol Alpert (voice actor and on-camera coach) to tackle the industry's most persistent headache: the inability of talent to follow instructions. Whether it's ignoring age ranges in casting specs, butchering file naming, or losing patience during a live session, failing to follow the "rules" of an audition is the fastest way to get your file tossed. The hosts stress that being a "trained actor" means being disciplined enough to read between the lines and respect the client's process. The Casting Filter: Why 70% Get Ditched (01:48) Lau Lapides reveals a shocking statistic: in a recent casting for 35–45 year olds, 70% of the auditions were from talent clearly outside that age range. Agents use specs to filter talent quickly; if you submit for a role you clearly don't fit, you are essentially asking to be ignored. Following the demographic specs is the first step in following directions in voiceover. The File Naming Pet Peeve (07:04) Proper file naming is not just a suggestion; it's a structural necessity. When an agent or casting assistant is processing hundreds of files, an incorrectly named file can disrupt their entire workflow. Lau notes that talent often doesn't see the "assembly line" of 10–40 people involved in a single gig; naming your file correctly shows you respect their time. "Early is On Time": The Reality of Deadlines (11:12) While some pay-to-play sites are instantaneous, agency turnarounds are often measured in hours. Lau asserts that the strongest auditions usually come in within the first few hours of a posting. Being "trained" means having the discipline to interpret, record, and execute an audition professionally and quickly without procrastinating. Cold Reading and Tracking Skills (13:05) A common reason talent fail to follow directions is a lack of ocular tracking skills. Many people listen to content rather than reading it, leading to a decline in the ability to scan a script and pick up nuances quickly. The hosts recommend cold-reading classes to ensure your eyes can track words and directions simultaneously. Live Direction: Active Listening and Communication (31:09) During a live directed session, following instructions becomes a matter of active listening. Lau recommends repeating directions back to the client to ensure clarity. She also warns that talent are often replaced not because of their voice, but because of a poor attitude or lack of patience when being redirected. The "Relationship" Slope: Business vs. Contract (41:23) While it's important to stick to contracts, the hosts discuss the value of being cooperative. Doing an extra tag or a small favor can "earn" you a client for the next ten years. It's about weighing small battles versus the long-term war of building a sustainable career through professional relationships. Top 10 Takeaways for Voice Actors: Read the Specs Twice: Ensure you fit the age, gender, and ethnicity requirements before stepping into the booth. Master File Naming: Follow the naming convention provided exactly. It is the most common reason auditions are discarded without being heard. Early is Best: While you should never rush quality, aim to submit your audition as early as possible to capture the agent's attention. Practice Cold Reading: Maintain your ocular tracking skills by reading aloud for at least 15 minutes a day to stay sharp for quick turnarounds. Listen and Repeat: In directed sessions, repeat the client's instructions back to them to confirm you understand the requested adjustment. Silence Your Ego: If a client asks for 100 takes, provide them professionally. Frustration or an "attitude" is a faster way to get fired than a bad take. Check Your Tech: Before a live session, verify that SourceConnect and your DAW are updated and functioning. Technical failures are a failure to follow prep instructions. The Agent is the Middleman: Don't get annoyed if your agent doesn't have every answer; they copy and paste exactly what the client gives them. Interpret, Don't Just Comprehend: Moving beyond just "reading the words" to understanding the story is part of your professional instruction. Build the Relationship: Being cooperative and "easy to work with" is often more valuable to a client than being the most talented person in the room.