What to watch for when directing local talent
As a voice director, I see this regularly: a client wants a message to sound down-to-earth and asks the talent to talk 'more Ghent'. That is almost always a trap. The voice actor starts distorting vowels, and the read loses its professional edge.
My top tip when directing: never direct pronunciation; direct intention and rhythm instead. Ask the speaker to deliver the script as if chatting with a friend on a terrace along the Graslei. As physical tension drops and the tempo slows, the authentic local flavour emerges on its own. The space between the words does the work, not forced consonants.
Three rules for an authentic Flemish sound
To ensure your audio sounds professional while remaining locally grounded, keep these three rules in mind:
- Aim for natural colouring: Let the voice actor speak in their natural regional Dutch, without putting on a character.
- Write for the ear: Scripts that work well on paper can sound stiff out loud. Use conversational phrasing and short sentences suited to the local rhythm.
- Protect natural breathing: Give the talent room to breathe naturally. That unhurried pace creates the warm, approachable tone that builds trust.
As our client Wim noted after a session: a clear voice and smooth communication make the difference between a routine recording and a message that genuinely resonates.
When booking a voice, clear pricing is essential. Recording costs follow a clear framework, so you never run into surprises.
For commercial work, such as a radio or TV advert, you pay a fixed studio recording fee combined with a buyout. This buyout covers usage rights and depends on the medium and campaign duration. For non-commercial projects, like an internal corporate video or e-learning, rates are based on word count or a fixed project fee. For an exact quote, always request a tailored estimate.