In May’s AudioFile Magazine AudiOpinion piece, actors shared their thoughts on home recording and how the help of a director can enhance the quality of their performance.
Here’s what some award-winning audiobook narrators had to say:
"I’ve been lucky to work virtually exclusively with directors in-studio. For me, the dialogue between actor and director opens up the process, resulting in a more nuanced, collaborative and shared perspective.” — January LaVoy
"The audiobook business is a business, and it’s a good business practice to cut costs. But it’s also good business to create a high-quality product that consumers will want to continue buying. The future for publishers and narrators alike seems to be in building your brand so that listeners choose a book because of the quality they come to expect from that brand. At the end of the day, that’s money well spent.” — Robert Petkoff
“Working with directors can allow for greater discovery of a book’s emotional subtext.” — Thérèse Plummer
“I have strong feelings about this. It’s always preferable to work with a director. The reason is simple: You get a better product.” — Edoardo Ballerini
"When I first started recording audiobooks in my home studio, I hired a director to work with me. I viewed that expense as an investment in my craft and the creation of a superior product that would bring more work to me in the future. That investment paid off." — Tavia Gilbert
"I've been an audiobook narrator for a long time, so I've honed all the skills I need to make my home studio work. However, first and foremost I'm dedicated to the job of linking the listener to the author, to be a conduit for the author's truth, which is all about the art and craft of storytellling. Another ear is always helpful in this process and I welcome any opportunity to work with a director in-studio." — Johnny Heller