5 Tips for Killer Casting Briefs
Why Your Casting Brief Matters
A successful voice-over project lives or dies on communication. The clearer your brief, the better the performance, and the fewer revisions, delays, and “almost-there” takes. A good brief aligns expectations, strengthens your brand voice, and gives your talent the context they need to deliver a performance with real impact.
Voice actors spend a lot of our time responding to briefs. Too often, they’re vague or wildly broad:
“Voiceover artists of all ages and backgrounds…”
“Open to Male, Female, Non-Binary, American and British, 30–50…”
Those get hundreds of auditions, and most aren’t right. Casting becomes a slog. The goal isn’t more voices; it’s the right voice. That’s what a killer casting brief attracts.
Below are five practical steps, plus a checklist and what to include in a truly clear VO brief.
1) Define the Project (Format + Purpose)
Start with the container:
Format: 30″ commercial, explainer video, corporate narration, eLearning, video game/character, IVR/on-hold, documentary, trailer, etc.
Purpose & audience: Who are we talking to? What should they know/feel/do after watching/listening?
A single sentence can sharpen everything:
“60–75s explainer for a SaaS onboarding video targeting first-time users; clear, friendly, efficient.”
2) Be Specific About the Actor (Gender, Vocal Age, Language/Accent)
“Open to everyone” overwhelms you and wastes actors’ time. Narrow it:
Gender: female, male, non-binary (choose one unless there’s a strong reason not to).
Vocal age: 20s, 30s–40s, senior, etc.
Language/Accent: Neutral English, American, South African, light regional British, etc.
Be as specific as you comfortably can. “Light regional British” already helps. “Birmingham, UK with Pakistani heritage” is gold if that’s right for the brand/character.
Quick note: there isn’t a single “non-binary voice.” If the brief calls for a non-binary actor, say so clearly, talent who actually identify that way will self-select in.
3) State the Tone, Energy & Role
Give us a lane:
Adjectives: friendly, confident, deep, warm, conversational, nurturing, authoritative, playful, sultry.
Role framing (powerful): “seasoned journalist,” “reassuring consultant,” “harassed parent talking to a teen,” “coach motivating a team.”
You’ll still get range, but those anchors help actors aim in the right direction.
4) Include Helpful Assets (Script, Sides, Music, References)
Better inputs = better auditions:
Script (or excerpt) with any timings or legal lines marked.
Character sides (animation/game): visuals, backstory, reference links.
Music track if you have one—instantly communicates pace and vibe.
Pronunciations: names/brands/acronyms (a quick phone recording is perfect).
Reference samples: “Closest to this demo at 0:22–0:37.”
5) Be Clear on Practicalities (Timeline, Studio, Budget)
Set expectations upfront:
Deadline / session date and timezone.
Studio needs: remote self-record (Source-Connect/Zoom) vs. in-studio.
Budget / usage: save everyone the guesswork. Fair rates attract pros and reduce retakes.
Not sure on pricing? Use industry guides like GVAA or Gravy For The Brain to set appropriate budgets for length, usage, and market.
What a Clear VO Brief Achieves (Why It Works)
Establishes expectations: tone, style, pacing, and intent are aligned from the start, fewer rounds, faster delivery.
Enhances collaboration: everyone (client/producer/VO) is working from the same blueprint.
Saves time & budget: fewer revisions, tighter schedules, better final polish.
Strengthens brand identity: consistent voice choices reinforce trust and recognition.
Supports storytelling: the right context lets the actor make intentional, emotionally accurate choices.
The “Good Brief” Checklist (Copy/Paste)
Project Overview: format, purpose, audience.
Actor Specs: gender, vocal age, language/accent (be specific).
Tone/Energy/Role: 3–5 adjectives + role frame if helpful.
Pacing & Duration: expected final run time and any timing constraints.
Pronunciations: names, acronyms, industry terms.
Assets: script excerpt, character sides, reference links, music.
Logistics: deadline/session date, timezone, remote vs. in-studio.
Budget & Usage: rate, term, markets (e.g., online paid/organic, broadcast local/regional/national).
Contact: decision-maker + session engineer (if different).
Sample Brief (Free Download)
Want a simple, fill-in-the-blanks casting brief template? I’m happy to share mine.
Request it via my contact page and I’ll send it over.
Final Word
A tight, thoughtful casting brief doesn’t limit creativity, it focuses it. It helps you find the right voice faster, and it helps the actor deliver a performance that actually moves your audience.
If you’re looking for a professional male voiceover with a broadcast-quality studio who understands briefs and can collaborate with your team, I’d love to help with your next project. Send me your brief, let’s make it sing.
