Nail The VO Re-Direct

Auditions can mess with your head. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the game for years, that pressure to deliver on the spot is very real. But learning to handle a redirect (that nugget of live feedback mid-audition) is a game-changer. Get good at it, and suddenly you’re not just reading lines, you’re working the room, forming a partnership with the director. And directors love that. In this post, we’ll look at how to take direction like a pro and what to do when no one says a word.

Understanding the Redirect

When we talk about redirects in voiceover, we’re really talking about agility or the knack for shifting your performance on the fly when a director throws something new your way. Could be a tweak in tone, could be a full-on rethink of the character’s motive. And annoyingly sometimes; a line read (what am I a parrot?) Whatever it is, how you respond matters. Nail it, and suddenly you’re not just reading, you’re collaborating.

Redirects are where VO meets live performance. You’ve got to clock the cues, shift gears fast, and keep it all sounding effortless. Sure, your ‘audience’ might be invisible, but casting directors are watching, and they feel that responsiveness. Get it right, and you change the entire energy in the room.

When You Get Live Feedback

Handling live direction well? It’s one of the biggest strengths in your audition toolkit. Do it right, and you don’t just show off your talent, you prove you’re directable, professional, and an asset in the booth. Here’s how to keep your cool and make it count:

1. Breathe, Don’t Spiral

Feedback can really hit those nerves. Suddenly you're second-guessing everything from your read to your career choices. Don’t. Deep breath. It’s not a threat, it’s an invitation. They’re interested. That’s good.

2. Really Listen

Don’t just nod along. Tune in to what they’re saying and how they’re saying it. Tone, tempo, body language (if you're lucky enough to be in the room): it all matters. They may not be saying “do it sexier,” but they might be thinking it.

3. It's Not About You (Usually)

It’s tempting to take feedback as a personal dig. Resist. They’re trying to shape the read, not your soul. Stay open, stay light. You’re playing, not proving your worth as a bleedin human being!

4. Ask Smart Questions

If their note is foggier than a winter morning on Dartmoor, ask, politely. Clarifying shows you’re engaged, not clueless. Better that than blundering in with the wrong energy and wasting everyone’s time.

5. Take the Note and Run With It

Now’s the moment—apply the note and deliver. Show them you’re adaptable, responsive, and sharp. Directors love actors who can pivot without fuss. It makes them look good too.

Navigating Auditions Without Any Feedback

Sometimes, it’s just you, the script, and a silent booth! No director. No notes. Just a tight deadline and a blinking red light. Here’s how to hold your own when no one’s there to steer the ship:

1. Trust Your Gut

You've prepped. You know the brief. Now back yourself. When it’s radio silence from casting, your instincts are the director, so let them lead. Don’t overthink it. Make bold, informed choices and own them.

2. Playback is Your Friend

Record. Listen. Adjust. Repeat. Your ears will catch things your brain missed in the moment: pace, pitch, odd phrasing. Be ruthless, not precious.

3. Steal Like an Artist

Find reference voices or similar characters and pinch what works. Not to mimic, but to anchor your read in the right world. Sometimes a single clip can unlock the whole tone.

4. Be Your Own Director

Review your takes like a pro. What’s landing? What’s flat? You’re not just the talent now, your quality control. The goal? Send something in you’d be happy to sign your name to.

5. Get a Second Pair of Ears

Got a trusted VO mate? Use them. A fresh listen from someone who gets it can be gold. You can't always do that but when you can, it really is invaluable. They’ll spot what you’re too close to hear and might save you from a duff take. Also why not take the script to a Wonderland Workout and work on it!

Sharpening the Blade

Whether you’re getting live direction or on your own in the booth, there are a few core skills every voice actor needs in their back pocket: emotional range, vocal control, and the holy grail: adaptability.

1. Emotional Range

Can you go from elated to broken in two lines—and make us feel it? That’s the job. Flex your range by playing with genre. Read horror like it’s a love story, then flip it. Try anger without volume, it really works! Surprise yourself.

2. Vocal Control

Your voice is your kit. Treat it like a pro instrument. Hydrate. Warm up. Stretch it. Don’t just aim for variety, aim for precision. Make every shift mean something.

3. Adaptability

If voiceover had a superpower, this would be it. The ability to switch gears, shift tone, and follow a wild redirect without blinking. Get into workshops. Improvise. Throw yourself curveballs. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Final Thoughts

Redirects aren’t hurdles, they’re opportunities. Whether you’re fielding live feedback from a director or flying blind with a self-tape, how you respond reveals everything: your range, your readiness, your professionalism. Nail the pivot, and you stand out, not just for your talent, but for your mindset.

Every audition sharpens the blade. Even the ones where you hear nothing back. Especially those. So stay sharp, stay playful, and above all, stay adaptable. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about evolution.

Speak with intention. Feel the character. And when the notes come, don’t flinch, lean in. Because mastering the redirect isn’t just a skill. It’s your competitive edge.

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If you're looking to level up your performance, build confidence, and join a community of ambitious, grounded voice actors—come hang out with us at WonderlandVO.com. Workshops, workouts, marketing hours—it’s voiceover training that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but gets serious results.

And if you’re after a seasoned, versatile voice for your next project—from gravitas to cheek, drama to deadpan—have a listen at BradShawVoice.com. Commanding, Charming, Dangerous and a little bit cheeky.