subject: What one should expect from Voice Over Talent? [print this page] What one should expect from Voice Over Talent?
What is the Voice over Talent's Goal and Why?
A voice over talent's job is to replace someone else's voice and end up in sync, while mostly being heard and not seen. Radio is the ultimate Voice over. Voice over talents are used for radio and TV commercials, program announcements, narrations, cartoons, audio tapes, multi-media, telephone message services, etc.
The voice over talent's job is to read "copy" in a natural, often conversational style-without sounding like the words are written on a piece of paper in front of you, and to do this quickly-without a lot of preparation or direction. In many cases you are specifically selling a product. In every case you are communicating a specific message to an audience. If you are one of those people who has been told you have a nice voice and should do something with it -- or if you are a DJ thinking about doing commercials on a free lance basis -- or you are an actor whose agent is suggesting you make an audio demo -- you may need to do some critical self-evaluation before leaping into this with credit cards a blazing. You must learn the fine art of self-evaluation so that you can tell when what you are doing is truly able to compete as a voice over talent.
What are the requirements of Voice Over Talent?
UNDERSTAND what you are reading!
Don't just read the words-read the MEANING!
SMILE! Be friendly and w-a-r-m.
In everything - think REAL PERSON.
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN - Keep the radio on in the car, don't mute the TV during commercials. Become observant-and critical of the things you hear.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE - Learn to enjoy the sound of your voice and what you can make it do.
What will the producer expect from a Voice Over Talent?
Professionalism
Know where you are going and don't be late. If you are recording from your home studio, be ready when they call and have any technical issues worked out.
Be friendly and businesslike.
Do the job, exchange cards and then leave. Don't hang around chatting, the producer still has work to do after you finish the voice work. The same holds true if you are on the phone with a producer.
Take direction. Listen to the clues the producer will give you as they respond to a particular read. The bottom line is the producer is always right. Be prepared to do it over again and again with slightly different interpretations.
Learn to ADD VALUE to your work by knowing when to embellish the words with reaction sounds, chuckles, etc.
