NAVA's Best Practices for Kids in Voiceover
introduction
Working with child actors can be fun, exciting, hilarious, and rewarding, and kids in voiceover are an essential part of bringing authenticity and relatability to a project. However, working with child actors can be very different from working with grownups. With this in mind, The National Association of Voice Actors has created these best practices for working with kids in VO. Production teams, casting professionals, kids actors, and their families are encouraged to use these best practices as a guide to set industry standards which benefit us all.
Pro Tip
Make sure your kiddo is fed and well rested before any session.
Pro Tip
Keep a sweet treat, snacks, and water available for kids in the booth, to keep them motivated and energized
Pro Tip
Use a simple headphone splitter in your home studio to share audio seamlessly
Pro Tip
Creatives are encouraged to turn the talk back off when discussing technical or performance direction that does not apply to the child.
Auditions
01
Short, concise scripts
Storyboards are great for creative vision, but a VO only doc should always be included in any audition for kids. Easy to read, easy to deliver!
Another version (instead of a dropdown):
Short, concise scripts written clearly as sides or a word / PDF document.
Storyboards are great for creative vision, but a VO only doc should always be included in any audition for kids. Easy to read, easy to deliver!
02
Auditions should be short
Time is valuable, and auditions typically take much longer for kids than for grownups. Production teams should request exactly what they need to get a good feel for how a child will perform in a role. Ideally, audition files should be no more than 1 minute in length. Longer auditions can be reserved for the callback.
03
turn around time
Kids (and their grownups) have busy lives and want to be able to submit on your project. Allow enough time for kids to review your specs, record a great audition, and deliver it back. Keep in mind that kids have school, activities, and of course need to sleep – no matter where they live.
Conduct & Treatment for directed sessions
01
Short, concise scripts
Storyboards are great for creative vision, but a VO only doc should always be included in any audition for kids. Easy to read, easy to deliver!
Another version (instead of a dropdown):
Short, concise scripts written clearly as sides or a word / PDF document.
Storyboards are great for creative vision, but a VO only doc should always be included in any audition for kids. Easy to read, easy to deliver!
02
Auditions should be short
Time is valuable, and auditions typically take much longer for kids than for grownups. Production teams should request exactly what they need to get a good feel for how a child will perform in a role. Ideally, audition files should be no more than 1 minute in length. Longer auditions can be reserved for the callback.
03
Short, concise scripts
Storyboards are great for creative vision, but a VO only doc should always be included in any audition for kids. Easy to read, easy to deliver!
Another version (instead of a dropdown):
Short, concise scripts written clearly as sides or a word / PDF document.
Storyboards are great for creative vision, but a VO only doc should always be included in any audition for kids. Easy to read, easy to deliver!
Rates & Usage
01
Short, concise scripts
Storyboards are great for creative vision, but a VO only doc should always be included in any audition for kids. Easy to read, easy to deliver!
Another version (instead of a dropdown):
Short, concise scripts written clearly as sides or a word / PDF document.
Storyboards are great for creative vision, but a VO only doc should always be included in any audition for kids. Easy to read, easy to deliver!
02
Auditions should be short
Time is valuable, and auditions typically take much longer for kids than for grownups. Production teams should request exactly what they need to get a good feel for how a child will perform in a role. Ideally, audition files should be no more than 1 minute in length. Longer auditions can be reserved for the callback.
03
Short, concise scripts
Storyboards are great for creative vision, but a VO only doc should always be included in any audition for kids. Easy to read, easy to deliver!
Another version (instead of a dropdown):
Short, concise scripts written clearly as sides or a word / PDF document.
Storyboards are great for creative vision, but a VO only doc should always be included in any audition for kids. Easy to read, easy to deliver!
conclusion
We hope this resource page provides the voiceover community with valuable insights and guidance for the best practices surrounding authentic casting for underrepresented and marginalized communities.
Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable entertainment industry for all performers – regardless of their identity or background.
For more specific information on a particular underrepresented, marginalized, or protected group, please visit these casting databases:
- QueerVox
- Voices of Global Majority Database – via Voices of Color (VOC)
- The Disabled Voice Actors Database
Thanks for reading. Have a thought about this? Reach us at DEIA@navavoices dot org