Voice Over Blog

August 17, 2011

How To Find Voice Over Work

Filed under: Voice Overs
Once you have completed voice over training courses at an online or traditional program, the next step is getting voiceover work. Looking for voice over work in today’s competitive industry might be challenging however, there are various steps you can take in order to position as being a good choice to get a high-paying job. Here are some steps you can take to find ongoing voiceover work:

1. Bring up to date the marketing package. If you created a voice over promotional package while you were in voice over school, you will need to ensure it is up-to-date and contains every one of the skills you might have developed with time. If you have recently completed new assignments for a client and have clips to share, include these in your marketing package for the prospective client to be able to see more examples of your voiceover skills.

2. Get a established voiceover agent to work with. Working with a professional agent may help you find voice over work in a number of markets that you might not know about, and so it’s a good idea to begin pitching your promotional profile to well-known voice over agents. A voiceover agent may also be in a position to point you to high-profile job opportunities and make recommendations as your representative to anyone in the market.

3. Have an online portfolio. Nowadays, there are quite a few voiceover marketplaces available online, and you can create a profile that will show your talents. Some work opportunities are available online, while some requires you to go a studio room.

4. Keep practicing voiceover scripts. You will find on-line voiceover scripts databases of different types of voiceover scripts. You should use these to practice, to record and make more samples. Fine tune your abilities by practicing voiceover scripts often.

5. Receive more voiceover training. In case you are not one hundred percent positive that you’ve got the voice over skills you need to land the next project, consider strengthening your skills through additional voiceover classes. Additional voiceover training and practice gives you with an advantage to get better paying job opportunities and find more voice over jobs on an continuous basis.

About the Author: Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, MN and Has Been Providing the Voice Talent for Dozens of Projects and Advertisements Since 1991.

September 23, 2010

Defining The Kinds Of Voiceovers

Filed under: Voice Overs

Voice-over talents often specialize in a certain type of voice-over, such as radio scripts, television ads or corporate and business voice over scripts. As outlined by James R. Alburger, author of the book "The Art of Voice Acting: The Craft and Business of Performing for Voice Over", the majority of people only think about advertisements whenever they hear the phrase "voice-over scripts." These days, voice-over scripts are used for more than just television and radio advertisements. Voiceovers have grown to be a vital component of giving presentations for mass media, the web, corporate and business marketing materials, and also to advertise certain activities. There are different types of voice-over artists, and each character demands very distinct narration and on-the-air speaking skills.

In the radio industry, voice over artists are widely used to make commercials, promotional materials, in addition to radio DJ segments. For television, voice overs are used for news segments, advertisements, promotional clips and on-air segments to introduce news anchors along with other TV hosts. The marketing promotions unit of the TV station generally handles the actual on-air promotions of voice-over segments.

In the business community, voiceovers are generally used to produce training materials, internet presentations and promotional videos. Voice overs may also be used to produce marketing and advertising presentations, video presentations for trade shows, conventions, as well as training purposes. In some instances, a voice over talent is hired to make a compilation of phone message scripts or narrate the voice over prompts for incoming callers. Retail stores may make voice over scripts to announce in-store offers.

In the motion picture industry, voiceovers are used to introduce a new segment, or to provide narration. Voice over talents chosen to do this kind of job usually have some experience working with films as well as cartoons, and may even be expected to modify their voice in order to perform a particular role.

Various other in-demand areas for voice over talents may include the creation of audio books, on-line streaming audio tracks and internet video presentations. These are all rapidly growing areas of the web that require a professional voice to support the actual programming, and voice over artists that are hired for these projects usually have professional voice-over training.

About the Author: Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Dozens of Companies and Agencies Since 1991.

March 9, 2010

The Internet: A Great Place To Find Voice Over Talent

Filed under: Voice Overs
Though there is certainly no shortage of potential voice talent for the hiring, picking through the thousands available to find the voice actor that is perfect for the job can seem like a daunting task. Since the actor or actress you choose will affect the tone and message of your project, it’s essential to make the right selection.

The internet offers many resource and options for putting together your multimedia project. You can locate scripts from a database, or create a script of your own and find just the right tone and theme by reviewing samples of other companies in a few clicks. The web allows you to view artist portfolios and samples with ease; many professionals upload clips of previous projects as samples which saves you time during your hiring process, and can help you narrow down your search. From reviewing resumes to conducting online interviews, the internet is making the voice over talent search much easier and effective.

The Internet is easily the most useful and extensive resource at your disposal during the hiring process, but the time you spend searching for voice talent online may amount to nothing if you don’t have a good idea of what you’re looking for and how to find it. Here are five simple pointers that will go a long way towards making your time spent on the Internet more effective and valuable.

1. When you first contact a voice actor or actress, ask that they send you samples of their work. Any professional voice actor or actress is sure to have some .mpeg files that they can send you, or a website showcasing their work. Actors without any samples can safely be written off as amateurs. This simple screening step will save you a good deal of time and effort.

2. Ask potential hires for a resume. Any serious voice actor or actress should be able to provide a formal resume, complete with his or her employment history and references. Speaking of references, they’re there for a reason; you should make sure to contact two or more of the past employers listed in order to get a balanced assessment of the performance you can expect from a potential hire.

3. Ask the candidate for a preferred rate. You should make sure you understand how much the actor would like to be paid, and when. Actors may want to be compensated either per hour or per project, and though some do not mind being compensated on delivery, others may want a portion up front.

4. Interview voice talent over the telephone. If you do not have the opportunity to conduct a face to face interview, a telephone interview is the next best thing, as it will give you a clearer picture of his or her personality, experience, and level of confidence. An interview conducted on the telephone will also give you the opportunity to hear a short sample reading from your potential hire.

5. Ask if your voice talent is equipped to provide services digitally. It is increasingly common for voice over artists to set up studios in their own homes. If your actor or actress is able to record his or her performance from home and send it to you over the Internet, this means that you will save on the costs associated with travel and the shipping of tapes.

Author Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Artist from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Has Been Providing the Voice Talent for Hundreds of Projects and Advertisements Since 1991.


February 11, 2010

Finding Voice Over Scripts For Talent Interviews

Filed under: Voice Overs
If you’re considering hiring voice over talent for an upcoming project, you’ll need to schedule an interview, review demo tapes, and request a sample script reading from potential applicants. Voice over scripts make it easier to find just the right match for your business, and can make the interview process much more valuable. Think of the script as a sample of work your applicants can produce for you.

It’s up to you how much time you give them to rehearse each piece, but most experienced individuals can complete their testing within a few hours. Since they’ll be reading directly from paper, they will just need time to practice their lines, learn about the background or nature of the script, and proceed accordingly. There are very few cases where a voice over script will need to be memorized word for word; since the recording will take place in a studio, your talent will have the script right in front of them.

The general demographic group that you are targeting will be the chief determining factor in the style and tone of the sample script you ultimately choose. Deciding in advance as to what vocal styles will be appropriate for your target market is important for the efficiency of the hiring process, as you will otherwise find yourself performing excessive numbers of interviews with applicants who are not right for the job.

In order to decide what sample scripts you will use, you will need to think about several different factors; you will need to select scripts that will give you a good idea of the breadth and nature of your applicants’ talents. To make sure that you choose voice talent that is a tonal and stylistic match with what your business is trying to accomplish, you will also want to consider what type of marketing you’re trying to create. What are the general themes you’re looking to tackle? Will the tone be authoritative, or do you want to make listeners laugh? These decisions will guide you in the selection of your sample scripts.

In order to find a suitable voice over sample script, possibly free of charge, all you need to do is consult on of the many script databases available on the Internet. With the resources at your disposal, it should be a cinch to find something that matches the tone and style you have chosen. Even if you’ve decided to write your own sample script, the scripts you can find online, free of charge, can provide invaluable help as reference materials, if you have a good idea of what you’re looking to create.

The final step involves completing a demo script. Demo scripts need to be recorded so you can review them side by side with the entire applicant pool; it’s important to capture at least two to three different scripts per applicant that demonstrate the talent’s ability to be flexible, and gauge their comfort level with various styles. Demos can be recorded in your own recording studio, or requested as part of the initial application.

Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Dozens of Projects and Advertisements Since 1991.


January 14, 2010

How To Prepare A Recording Room For Voiceovers

Filed under: Voice Overs
You’ve found your voiceover talent and are ready to start producing your script, and the next step will be to create a professional recording for advertising. It is possible that you have a videographer or production team helping you create a voiceover script, but did you realize that there are computer software programs and tools that can create the entire project for you from start to finish?

There is a significant amount of preparation required to ensure that the environment in which you record the Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE voiceover will help you create a quality advertising and promotion piece. Here are some vital tips in how to prepare the room that can help you achieve quality voice over recording.

1. Check all your equipment. Testing your equipment while making your voiceover talent wait is a waste of time and money. Jay Rose, the author of the book "Producing Great Sound for Digital Video" suggests that you make sure you get the right kind of equipment and test it well before production day. Even testing it a few hours before production time can reduce unforeseen delays.

2. Make sure the room does not create echoes. The only way you’ll know if the room is creating an ‘echoing’ effect is when you turn on the microphone and shut all the doors and windows. Conduct some test recordings with all of the equipment so that the echo effect can effectively be reduced.

3. Consider using background music. In a professional voiceovers, there should not be any noise between the narrator and the listener. Create the ideal kind of audio space that sounds like the narrator is having a face-to-face conversation with the audience. If there is a lot of ‘white noise’ in the recording, you have the option to add background music.

4. Find the best part of the room for recording. There are no rules about where to position the microphone, so feel free to move the mic setup into different areas of the room to get the right sound. You don’t want to record when the sounds seem hollow or filtered in any way. Moving the mic around until you find the best fit.

5. Outside noise like traffic is not a major concern. Noise like outside traffic and the hum of fluorescent lighting can affect the quality of a  voiceover recording. Yet, most microphones do not pick up these sounds. If you do feel like the script is being affected by these outside sounds, consider adding a high-pass filter to the microphone for a crisper recording.

6. Quiet vents, air conditioners and computer fans. If you’re working in a very small space, you may have left computers or an A/C on during the recording. Sounds from these machines can cause some turbulence for your recording, so it’s a good idea to turn them off for as long as possible during each recording segment.

You should also be able to monitor the voiceover recording throughout the production cycle using a pair of headphones. By using the playback function in a different room to check if production is going smoothly, you can reduce the need of having another ‘take’ and make any adjustments needed for audio quality of the voiceover recording immediately.


December 18, 2009

Using Voiceover Demo Tapes to Assess Talent

Filed under: Voice Overs
Finding the best voiceover artist for your commercial or ad campaign can take time, and the interview process typically includes listening to each candidate’s voiceover demo tapes. Demo tapes give you and the rest of the interviewing panel a chance to listen to the talent’s overall style and tone and determine if they will be a good match for your specific project.

Judging candidates through voice over demo tapes is a more efficient method than asking each candidate to audition and perform a voice over test in your office. A talent will be able to give his or her best performance in a demo tape as a job interview can put undue pressure on anyone, even on seasoned professionals. You just need to set a standard consisting of essential voiceover qualities when judging demo tapes. Here are the qualities you should listen for:

1. Pace of delivery. Be aware of the talent’s pace throughout the piece. You will surely need a voiceover artist who can shift from speaking slowly to rapidly comfortably. Pacing is crucial in any voiceover script as stated in the book "You Can Bank On Your Voice" written by Rodney Saulsberry. An improperly paced delivery is painful to the ears and confusing to the mind. Look for talents who demonstrate good pacing.

2. Attention Grabber. A good voiceover artist can easily arouse your interest at the start of a piece. Experienced artists will put the right stress on particular words and phrases to match their tone and personality. Look for tapes that grab your attention in the first few lines.

3. Dialect and accents. Many talented voiceover artists have the ability to imitate certain accents and dialects. Listen for examples of different accents and styles; these indicate that the artist is flexible and skilled in changing tones and can play different characters with ease.

4. Rhythm. The rhythm of a monologue or conversation is a critical element of the professional and successful voiceover. If the candidate is able to capture the right rhythm, the audience will be able to remember the script more easily and even resonate with the brand or product you will be promoting. Listen for a steady ‘beat’ as the artist says each sentence to determine if they have the mastered the skill of rhythm.

5. Comic ability. Most conversational and commercial scripts nowadays use humor to effectively communicate their message. Listen if a talent’s tone conveys a sense of humor or if he or she throws jokes in the demo tape performance. See if the joke was delivered right and made the panel smile. Or did the joke felt awkward?

The process of finding the perfect voiceover artist that will match your project is tedious. Use voiceover demo tapes to evaluate the abilities and skills of every applicant. Evaluate each applicant’s demo tape with these five criteria. Skilled artists will be able to show that they have mastered each of these criteria over the duration of their demo.

About the Author: Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Artist from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Hundreds of Companies and Agencies Since 1991.


November 11, 2009

Effective Ways to Improve Your Voiceover Copy

Filed under: Voice Overs
Your voiceover copy will either spell out success or failure of your radio commercials or podcasts. Your copy should be convincing enough to gain credibility with your listeners. Be warned though that writing voiceover copies are very different from writing print ads.

You shoud be "writing for the ear, not the eye", so says Peter Drew, a professional voiceover talent who has done countless voiceovers for internet and radio ads. Writing for the ear entails writing in a conversational manner. This technique requires short and concisely written messages. This technique may look unusual initially, but you’ll produce very effective messages as you get used to it.

What we ultimately want is to have persuasive and believable voiceovers. Below are some advice on how to modify your voiceover copy and some recording tactics for a flawless narration.

1. State everything in the active voice. Using active voice in your script will make your ad seem to talk to its listeners in real time. This technique can create instantaneous credibility and rapport with your listeners.

2. Attach a windscreen to your microphone. A lot of unwanted noise are produced if your script is filled with words beginning in ‘T’, ‘P’ and ‘B’. A windscreen protects your mic from catching these unwanted noises. This will free your voiceover artist from worrying about sound quality and instead focus on delivering the meaning behind your message.

3. Mark up the copy for inflection. Bolding certain words, highlighting parts of the copy or using something simple as underlines can really help your voiceover artist understand the gist of the message and deliver a quality piece. Read the copy out loud yourself to identify what parts of the sentence you want to emphasize, then mark up the copy so that the artist understands exactly what you need.

4. Write down phone numbers in word form. Numbers are also words that would need to be read. Spell each number so that you can detect if there are any blockages to your script’s overall impact. Be prepare to edit your script if any part sounds inappropriate.

5. Use your headline effectively. Listeners will hear your headline first so make sure this is interesting. A headline should be no more than ten words and declares a minimum of one significant point.

It is the job of the scriptwriter to ensure that the script or copy will match the talent of the voiceover artist. Each voiceover artist can project a certain personality and this has to fit with the script. Once an artist has been selected, the script can then be altered to match the artist. What’s important here is that the artist voice, personality and quirks should match your message. Also give time for the artist to practice delivering the message. Be sure to apply all of these techniques to create a solid and compelling script.

About the Author: Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Hundreds of Projects and Advertisements Since’91.


April 29, 2009

Professional Voice Talent - How Your Marketing Campaign Can Benefit

Filed under: Voice Overs
Those working in the realm of marketing are more than likely aware that a multimedia elements can prove valuable additions to just about any campaign. Though the audio/visual approach to marketing was honed on more traditional media such as television, the advent of the Internet has left us with even greater opportunities, including but certainly not limited to webinars, podcasts, and YouTube videos.

Any of these media or any combination thereof allow you valuable lines of communication, but you should never neglect to develop an effective, professionally done audio element to supplant visual or textual marketing. In addition to utilizing music and other contextual sonic elements, you may want to consider things like narration or a catchy slogan to accent your message.

Hiring a voice over artist will help you create a compelling and high-impact segment for your target market. No matter what type of advertising method you choose, any audio segments need to be developed with voice over talent; here are six reasons why:

1. Voice overs make your brand more memorable. Associating a unique, likable voice with your marketing is a great way to give your brand a more recognizable, human element. Since potential customers are exposed to so much faceless advertising each day, unique touches like the perfect voice can set you apart.

2. A high-quality voice over shows professionalism. When you’re speaking to a large potential audience, you’re going to want to ensure that you’re expressing your message in a manner that makes you look good. The right voice over talent will make your marketing seem polished and professional, and this will reflect on your organization as a whole.

3. Voice overs differentiate you from your competition. For marketers attempting to sell a product or service in an already-crowded market, the only way to position yourself as a leading member of your industry is to immediately evoke a unique, powerful presence. Professional voice overs are a great way to achieve this.

4. Voice overs help to create a high-impact message. While print and web-based media are some of the most sought-after advertising mediums available, voice overs can complement and enhance your marketing strategy. Podcasting, audio presentations, and even online commercials all require some form of narration; you can deliver your slogan or marketing message with voice overs strategically designed for high impact.

5.To drive up website hits. In the marketing world of today, it is becoming more and common for everything to point back to one’s online presence. In your marketing campaigns, it’s a great idea to incorporate messages that lead back to your website, and voice overs, whether contained in podcasts, webinars, or other, more traditional media, provide a great opportunity to do this.

6. To make the most of your marketing dollar. Television spots are great, but let’s face it: they’re expensive. Production costs can also be restrictive when it comes to creating online video. Investing in a voice of by a professional voice actor or actress can be a cost-effective way to increase the impact of your marketing.

About the Author: Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Has Been Providing the Voice Talent for Dozens of Projects and Advertisements Since 1991.

March 24, 2009

What You Need To Know About Voice Over Work

Filed under: Voice Overs
In marketing today, the perfect voice over can be the element that turns an advertising campaign that is simply good into a great one.  Picking a voice with which your target market will identify, you can forge a human connection with your audience and enjoy the resultant boost in sales.

If you’re considering adding a voice over element to your business’s marketing plan, here are some of the key industry terms, definitions, and terminology you’ll come across:  

Audition Tapes:  Along with their applications, potential vocal talent will send an audition tape containing a few brief examples of their work.  These are useful in keeping track of your prospects and comparing their individual skills and talents.

Demo Tapes:  As part of the interview process, you will want applicants to, in addition to submitting an audition tape, complete a demo tape recording of a sample script that you have picked out. If you choose the right sample script, these demo tapes can be a great help in picking the right actor or actress for the job.

Recording Studio:  In order to obtain a demo tape, audition tape, or other vocal performance, you’ll need a studio in which to records.  If your voice actor or actress has a recording studio setup in his or her, you may be able to save on renting a space for your project.

ISDN Voiceover:  Professional voice over talent will record most of their work in a home studio that makes use of ISDN technology. These recordings are sharper and more fine-tuned than the average recording studio.

Commercial Voice Overs:  These are primarily targeting customers with a direct sales approach, and will push a product or service as part of the script. Commercial voice overs are powerful marketing tools that can deliver a message with high impact.

Narrative Voice Overs:  These voice overs are not recorded for the express purpose of sales, but accompany some sort of video recording, complementing the story told by  the on-screen action. You should not, however, discount their worth in marketing projects, as they can complement video advertisements exceedingly well.

Impressions:  These are the types of voice overs that impersonate a famous person, celebrity, or imitate an historically famous personality.  Impressions are a great way to make your message stand apart from the competition, and you can find many royalty-free scripts with this distinguishing feature in mind.

Performers’ Unions:  Voice actors and actresses are often part of these professional organizations, which assist them in developing their craft and negotiate market rates. The Screen Artists Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) are the unions you will most frequently encounter in working with voice talent.

Actors:  Voice over professionals are often individuals who were trained in drama and gravitated to the field of voice work because of their marketable skills and talents. A skilled voice actor or actress is a huge asset to any marketing project.

Whether you’re working with actors, professional artists, or just sourcing for new talent, you’ll need a process to find the right match for your project.  Being comfortable with the terminology of the industry can help you work with professionals and find the right fit with ease.

About the Author: Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Has Been Providing the Voice Talent for Dozens of Companies and Agencies Since 1991.

February 24, 2009

Key Traits Of Great Voice Over Actor

Filed under: Voice Overs
When you’re searching for the right match in voice over talent, there are a few key traits that set apart the good from the great. Hiring great voice over talent means you can count on professional services and enhance your advertising for maximum impact. Whether you’re creating slogans, delivering a narration, or just need a voice over artist to stage a mock conversation, finding the right fit is an important part of your marketing plan. Voice over talent agents can work with you to narrow down a few choices, but the final decision rests in your hands.  

These are a few of the characteristics that add up to an outstanding voice over artist:

1.He or she has  a believable voice.  Though there is certainly a place for exaggerated narration in the style of an announcer or newscaster, you’re generally going to want an actor or actress who can perform naturally in a wide range of vocal styles.

2.The voice over has the right pitch and tone. Voice over artists are constantly practicing different pitches and tones of their voice so that they can create their own ‘music.’ This ensures that their voice stands apart from the rest; take the time to listen for distinct characteristics that make them different from other actors and actresses.

3.High-quality demo tapes. The tapes you receive from potential voice actors and actresses will be a great asset to you once your face-to-face interviews are over. Take advantage of the snapshot of an actor or actress’s work that these tapes provide, and use this insight in making your final decision.

4.Versatility. This is fairly self-explanatory; a truly skilled voice over professional will have the skill and talent necessary to perform well in a wide variety of dissimilar projects. Whether authoritatively reading off facts and figures, or attempting to make listeners laugh, a true professional will shine.

5.He or she exhibits a good vocal flow. In everyday speech, most of us stop and start erratically, and do not have much control over our speed.  In the case of a professional voice over artist, this should not be so - a voice actor or actress should be able to speak in a fluid manner.

6.He or she can provide you with references. You should always ask for references from potential voice talent, and, furthermore, you should always take the few minutes necessary to look into them. Don’t underestimate the importance of this part of the interviewing process.

7.Energy, enthusiasm, and stamina. Those with experience in voice over know that it it is never a matter of simply reading a few lines and collecting a paycheck. Your voice actor or actress should be able to withstand the sometimes lengthy series of takes required to get it right, without becoming either mentally or vocally fatigued.

Interviewing potential voice talent may, at times, feel tedious, but in reality it is a key factor in the success of your project.  If you can find a voice actor or actress with all of the aforementioned traits during the interview process, you will save yourself a lot of time and trouble down the road.

Author Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Artist from Minneapolis, MN and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Hundreds of Projects and Advertisements Since 1991.






















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