Voice Testing Specifications

Voice Testing Specifications

Netflix trusts the dubbing studios to use established voices for any well-known actors involved in the original production. At times, however, Netflix may also request approval of voices to match the creative intent of the original production and achieve Creative Excellence.

The Netflix Language Production Manager or Dubbing Title Manager will communicate which characters require Netflix voice approval and will specify the methods.

Library Samples

Please provide audio file samples—each containing a different actor’s performance—for each role being cast. It is preferred to include samples from talent who have voiced the original actor in the past (and a clip from that performance) and/or samples of a performance that resembles the one being cast.

These files should adhere to the following:

The dominant speaking role in the clip should be that of the actor being considered, preferably as “dry” audio with no other music or effects.
The file should preferably be a minimum of 30 seconds and a maximum of 60 seconds in length.
If available, please have the actor read their name in a normal speaking voice at the beginning of the file.
Please name the file as [NameOfRole]_[ActorName].
We highly encourage all studios to provide the director’s preference with context in the comment section of the Casting Approval tool.
- Effective context should illustrate the reasons behind the director/creative team’s preference instead of merely mentioning “first/preferred option.”

Notes may be provided on a talent-by-talent basis.

Bespoke Sample

Netflix may request that a sample be recorded against a specific time code of a Netflix-provided cut or a specific script.

The dubbing studios must then submit a .wav file containing the audio of the dubbing performances from the voice talent.

The files should adhere to the following:

The sample performance should match the video runtime and be in sync with the clip provided if a specific time code was provided.
At the top of the audio, the actor should read their name in a normal speaking voice.
Please only dub dialogue for the role(s) being cast and do not include any other production audio in the clip.
Each file should contain one performance/test only and be named as [NameOfRole]_[ActorName].
If submitting more than one sample, we encourage studios to provide the director’s preference with context.
- Effective context should illustrate the reasons behind the director/creative team’s preference instead of merely mentioning “first/preferred option.”