Animation Voice Over Checklist: 4 Audition Tips to Bring Characters to Life

If your character reads have felt a little flat lately, you’re not alone. Animated voiceover auditions can feel like a playground, but without clear structure, even playful reads can fall short. That’s where this animation voice over checklist comes in.

As an online voice over coach, I’ve worked with dozens of students who want to break into animation or level up their character reads. Whether you’re brand new to VO or looking to book more consistently, this quick-hit checklist will give you a stronger foundation for your next audition.

1. Know Your Character

Before you ever hit record, ask yourself:

• Who is this character?

• What’s driving them in this scene?

• What are they feeling and why?

A believable performance starts with clarity. The more you understand your character’s backstory, personality, and motivation, the more authentic your read will sound.

My tip: Even if the audition sides are brief, make strong choices. Decide something about their world and voice, and commit.

2. Use Your Body

Your voice is directly connected to your body. Animation VO isn’t just about vocal range – it’s about embodied performance. Try this:

• Act out the scene physically as you record

• Gesture, move your face, or shift posture to match energy

• Record on your feet instead of sitting (if possible)

Letting your body get involved brings natural energy and rhythm to your delivery, especially in fast-paced or high-stakes scenes.

3. React to the Scene

In animation auditions, it’s common to be reading solo, but that doesn’t mean your character is alone. They’re reacting to something or someone.

• Don’t treat lines in isolation

• Let your tone shift with imagined reactions

• React in real time as if you’re there

This is one of the biggest differences between a “meh” read and a read that books. Audition readers who react are the ones that feel alive.

4. Dig Deep, But Stay in Character

You don’t have to be the character – you just have to understand them enough to channel truth. That means using your own emotions, then shaping them into character-driven responses.

• Tap into your own lived experiences

• Then ask: how would this character express that?

It’s you, filtered through your character’s lens.

Final Thoughts from Your Online Voice Over Coach

The best animation voiceover work happens when you’re willing to get a little weird, take risks, and commit. Character work is all about play, so give yourself permission to explore!

And if you’re working on a challenging (or just super fun) character right now, I’d love to hear about it. As an online voice over coach, I help students build confidence, make bold choices, and land the roles that light them up.

If you have any questions feel free to message me here!