About the Project
Project Hydrus is a scripted and conversational audio data collection project. The recordings produced help build natural, everyday-sounding synthesized voices for conversational AI products — voices that sound like real people talking, not scripted performances.
As Session Director, you'll lead live recording sessions with Voice Contributors, guiding them through scripted scenarios to produce natural, conversational-quality audio. This hands-on role blends creative direction, coaching, and technical audio judgment — making scripted material sound authentic and unscripted, rather than recited, while keeping sessions moving at a natural pace.
What You'll Do
- Direct voice performers through scripted scenarios, coaching for natural, conversational delivery rather than verbatim recitation.
- Build quick scene context for performers (who, where, why) and improvise to fill narrative or dialogue gaps live, keeping sessions flowing naturally.
- Adapt scripted wording for natural phrasing and regional/dialect authenticity as needed.
- Monitor and correct technical audio quality in real time: mic technique, pacing, clarity, and background noise.
- Manage session pacing to meet recording targets without sacrificing performance quality, and maintain organized notes on adjustments and retakes.
- Create a supportive, low-pressure environment for performers, including those with limited prior voice experience.
What We're Looking For
Required
- Native fluency in the required language (with specific dialect), with a strong ear for natural, colloquial phrasing.
- Experience directing, coaching, or producing voice or audio talent (e.g., voice direction, casting direction, audio/podcast production, dubbing/ADR, or theater direction).
- Demonstrated ability to give clear, specific, actionable performance direction.
- Strong working knowledge of basic recording/mic technique (proximity, plosives, room noise, levels).
- Comfortable improvising and adjusting scripted material on the spot.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; able to build rapport quickly with performers of varying experience levels.
Preferred (nice to have, not required)
- Background in improv, theater direction, or acting coaching.
- Experience directing non-professional or first-time voice talent specifically.
- Familiarity with DAWs or recording software (e.g., Pro Tools, Adobe Audition, Reaper) for spot-checking audio quality.
Commitment & Compensation
- Estimated time: Approximately 8 hours calibration, plus supervision across two recording sessions of ~4 hours each per participant
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