Send a Script With a Reference Video for Voice Over Recording

Send a Script With a Reference Video for Voice Over Recording

If your voice over is being recorded for a video, animation, commercial, corporate film, explainer or other visual production, you can send your script together with a reference video to professional British male voice over artist Spencer Cork.

A reference video can provide valuable context that may not be obvious from the written script alone. It can show the visual style, editing pace, intended audience, emotional tone and relationship between the spoken words and the pictures.

The video does not necessarily need to be finished. You can provide a rough cut, draft edit, animatic, storyboard video, temporary version or other visual reference that helps explain how the voice over will fit into the wider production.

I’m Spencer Cork, a professional British male voice over artist recording from a broadcast-quality studio in Kent, UK, for businesses, agencies, production companies, video producers and clients worldwide.

Send your script, provide access to the relevant video material and explain how closely the voice over needs to work with the visuals.

Send your script and reference video through the Spencer Cork contact page.

Can I Send a Reference Video With My Voice Over Script?

Yes.

If a video already exists in any usable form, it can provide additional context for the voice over recording.

You might provide:

• A finished video

• A rough cut

• A draft edit

• An animatic

• A temporary edit

• A storyboard sequence

• A previous version

• A reference film

The most useful material depends on the stage of the production.

Why Send a Video With a Voice Over Script?

A script explains what needs to be said.

A video can help explain where, why and how the words fit into the production.

Watching the visual material can provide context about:

• Overall pace

• Visual tone

• Editing rhythm

• Audience

• Emotional atmosphere

• Transitions

• Important moments

• Available timing

This can help establish the appropriate approach to the performance.

Does the Reference Video Need to Be Finished?

No.

A work-in-progress video can still provide useful context.

For example, you might send:

• A rough edit

• An offline edit

• An animatic

• Temporary visuals

• A draft animation

• A storyboard converted into video

Clearly explain which elements are provisional and whether the timing is expected to change.

Can I Send a Rough Cut for Voice Over Recording?

Yes.

A rough cut can be particularly useful when the voice over needs to relate closely to the structure and pace of the video.

If the edit is not locked, explain whether:

• The overall duration may change

• Individual scenes may move

• The script may change

• Timing is approximate

This helps distinguish between a general visual reference and a video requiring precise synchronisation.

Can I Send a Video With a Temporary Voice Over?

Yes.

A temporary voice track, sometimes called a guide voice or scratch track, can provide useful information about:

• Intended pacing

• Approximate timing

• Emphasis

• Structure

• Relationship with the visuals

Make it clear whether the temporary performance is intended as a close reference or simply a timing guide.

Can I Send a Video With No Existing Voice Track?

Yes.

The visuals themselves can still provide useful creative context.

If there is no guide voice, send the script and explain:

• Where each section begins

• Whether pauses are required

• Whether any lines correspond to particular visuals

• Whether the final voice must fit a fixed duration

Can I Send an Animatic?

Yes.

An animatic can provide valuable context before the final animation is complete.

It can help communicate:

• Scene order

• Approximate timing

• Visual rhythm

• Character movement

• Transitions

• Overall creative approach

If the timing is provisional, state this clearly.

Can I Send a Storyboard Instead of a Finished Video?

Yes.

If no moving video exists yet, a storyboard can still help explain the intended visual sequence.

Provide the storyboard alongside the script and identify which lines correspond to particular scenes where relevant.

A storyboard may be especially useful during early-stage production planning.

Can I Send a Reference Video That Is Not the Final Project?

Yes.

Sometimes a reference video is provided purely to demonstrate the desired creative style.

For example, it may help communicate:

• Tone

• Energy

• Pacing

• Production style

• Audience

• Emotional atmosphere

Explain what specifically you want the reference to communicate.

This avoids assuming that every aspect of the reference should be reproduced.

Can I Send a Previous Video From My Brand?

Yes.

Previous brand content can help establish continuity with existing communications.

It may provide useful context about:

• Established tone

• Audience expectations

• Brand personality

• Previous pacing

• Existing voice style

If you want the new recording to move in a different direction, explain what should change.

Can I Send a Reference Video and Voice Direction Together?

Yes.

The video can provide visual context while written voice direction explains the intended performance.

For example, you might provide:

• Reference video

• Script

• Creative brief

• Voice direction

• Pronunciation notes

These materials can work together to provide a clearer understanding of the project.

You can also send a script and voice direction for recording.

Can I Send Pronunciation Notes With the Video?

Yes.

If the script contains names, brands, places, acronyms or specialist terminology, include pronunciation guidance separately from the visual reference.

You can also send a script with pronunciation notes for voice over recording.

Can the Voice Over Be Timed to Match the Video?

Yes, depending on the production requirements.

There is an important difference between:

• Using a video as general creative reference

• Recording to an approximate duration

• Recording to individual timecodes

• Matching a locked video edit

Explain the level of timing precision required before recording.

If the voice needs to fit exact timings, provide the relevant timecodes or clearly defined target durations.

What Is a Locked Video Edit?

A locked edit is a version of the video where the structure and timing are not expected to change significantly.

Recording against a locked edit can provide a more reliable timing reference than recording against an early rough cut.

If the edit may still change, explain this when sending the project.

Can You Record to Timecodes?

If the project requires individual lines or sections to fit specific timing points, provide clear timecode information with the script.

This may include:

• Start time

• End time

• Maximum duration

• Scene reference

The script should make it clear which timing information applies to each section.

Can I Send a Video With Burnt-In Timecode?

Yes.

Burnt-in timecode can make it easier to identify specific moments in the video.

If you refer to particular scenes or sections in your direction, use the visible timecodes where possible.

This can reduce ambiguity when discussing the recording.

Can I Ask for the Voice Over to Match the Video's Pace?

Yes.

The visual edit can help inform the pace of the performance.

However, the amount of script must still be realistic for the available duration.

If too many words need to fit into a short section, the result may sound unnaturally fast.

Where timing is critical, it is useful to consider the relationship between word count and available duration before recording.

Can I Send a Commercial Video?

Yes.

Commercial videos can be supplied as references for professional voice over recording.

Provide relevant information about:

• Intended audience

• Media

• Campaign

• Creative direction

• Required duration

If the recording will be used commercially, the intended usage should also be discussed as part of the project.

Can I Send a Corporate Video?

Yes.

Corporate videos can provide useful context for recordings including:

• Company films

• Internal communications

• Presentations

• Product demonstrations

• Case studies

• Recruitment videos

The visuals can help establish the appropriate balance between professionalism, warmth and natural delivery.

Can I Send an Explainer Video?

Yes.

Explainer videos often rely closely on the relationship between narration and visual information.

Providing the video, animatic or storyboard can help establish:

• Pacing

• Pauses

• Section transitions

• Important visual moments

If the voice must synchronise precisely with animation, provide clear timing requirements.

Can I Send an eLearning or Training Video?

Yes.

Training and eLearning videos can be provided as references where narration accompanies on-screen information.

For larger projects, also provide information about:

• Number of modules

• Total word count

• Number of videos

• File requirements

• Production schedule

Can Agencies and Video Producers Send Rough Edits?

Yes.

Agencies, production companies, editors and video producers can provide work-in-progress material as part of the voice over brief.

Clearly identify:

• The current production stage

• Whether the edit is locked

• Whether the script is final

• Whether timings may change

This helps establish which aspects of the material should be treated as fixed.

How Can I Send a Large Video File?

You do not necessarily need to attach a large video directly.

Depending on your preferred workflow, you can provide access through an appropriate file-sharing, review or cloud-storage link.

When sending access information, make sure:

• The link works

• Required permissions are enabled

• Any password is provided separately where appropriate

• The relevant file is clearly identified

If access expires, make sure it remains available long enough for the project to be reviewed.

Can I Send a Private or Password-Protected Video?

Yes.

If the material is confidential or access-restricted, provide the necessary viewing information when discussing the project.

Do not publish confidential access details publicly.

The purpose is simply to make the relevant project material available for review as part of the recording process.

Can I Send a Video Before the Script Is Final?

Yes.

A draft video and draft script can be useful for early production discussions.

Clearly identify both as provisional.

You can also send a draft script for voice over review.

Can I Request a Demo Read Using My Video as Context?

You can provide a reference video when enquiring about a custom demo read.

The visual context may help communicate the intended tone and pacing of the project.

You can also send a voice over script for a demo read.

What Should I Send With a Reference Video?

Ideally provide:

• The script

• The video or access link

• Current production stage

• Voice direction

• Timing requirements

• Pronunciation notes

• Required deadline

• Intended usage

Also explain whether the video is being supplied for general creative context or precise timing.

What Happens After I Send My Script and Reference Video?

The typical process is:

1. You send the script and provide access to the video.

2. The visual material and recording requirements are considered.

3. The required relationship between the voice and visuals is established.

4. Any timing, pronunciation or creative questions are clarified.

5. The final script, direction and recording arrangements are confirmed.

6. The voice over is professionally recorded.

7. The completed audio is prepared and delivered for use within the production.

The exact workflow depends on the project.

Send Your Script and Reference Video for Voice Over Recording

If your voice over forms part of a video production, send the script together with the most useful visual material currently available.

This could be:

• A finished video

• A rough cut

• An animatic

• A storyboard

• A temporary edit

• A previous brand video

• A creative reference

Explain whether the material is being provided for general context or whether the voice over needs to fit specific timings.

Send your script and reference video through the Spencer Cork contact page.

You can also send a script and voice direction for recording, send a script with pronunciation notes, send a draft script for voice over review, send a voice over script for a demo read, send a script and book a voice over recording, or visit the Spencer Cork Voice Over homepage.