Is your voiceover ready to shine?

 

Here’s a post for agencies and companies looking to use a video with a voice-over.  I’ve written it to help you understand how to get the best from this widely used tool, what pitfalls to look out for and some tips on writing a successful and impactful script. Voiceover, often just shortened to VO is the “voice of an unseen narrator, or of an onscreen character not seen speaking”. It’s known by other terms like commentary, narration or,  if you’re old school BBC like me “out of vision voice” or OOVV.

Quality matters in voiceover recording

You can record VO in the video edit suite to save a bit of money, which is fine for some applications and often will be good enough. However, if your viewers will be listening on a more sophisticated audio setup, you really can’t beat a proper sound studio. Get one with video playback facilities so the words can be matched to the correct speed and timings for the film. Voiceovers can take a while to get right, but with a professional actor and a focused director, you can do a 3-minute film in an hour without too much difficulty.

Crafting a successful script

he key to a sparkling script is to read it out loud as you write it. A busy production house has people staring at screens talking loudly to no one as they check the words… it does feel a little odd the first time you do it, but it shows where particular sentences and grammar structures just don’t work. When you’re writing, remember that a conversational style works better than a written one, so think about sentence structures that you would use if you were talking to someone. When you take your script into the recording sessions, double-space the lines of the script so there’s plenty of room to make changes on the fly.. and you’ll need four copies for the actor, director, dubbing mixer and you!

Additional tips for voiceover success

Choose the right voice: The voice you select should match the tone and style of your video. A well-chosen voice can make your content more relatable and engaging. Whether you need a calm, authoritative tone or an upbeat, friendly vibe, picking the right voice actor is crucial.

Mind the pacing: Ensure the pacing of the voiceover matches the visuals. Too fast, and the message might be lost; too slow, and viewers might lose interest. Practice reading the script at different speeds to find the perfect rhythm.

Incorporate natural pauses: Allow for natural pauses in your script to let the message sink in. These pauses can also be great opportunities for emphasizing key points or transitions in the content.

Reach out to us today and let’s give your videos a voice that speaks volumes!