Many thanks to today's guest blogger and esteemed VO Peeps member Tim Keenan, who shares some valuable insights on the importance of knowing your material! Now that's some great advice!
by Tim Keenan
http://creativemediarecording.com
Someone recently asked the question “what’s the difference between a ‘good’ VO talent and a ‘great’ one.” I had lots of ideas off the top of my head that related more to the business side of being a VO talent. Showing up on time, pre-reading the script, being open to direction, etc. are all important. If you got selected for the VO job you must be good - or good enough, right.
But on further reflection, I’ve decided the one true benchmark between good enough and really good is the ability of the voice talent to express (using only their voice) the feeling that they know what they are talking about.
So often, as a seasoned professional, you fall into a routine of getting a script, going over it for pronunciations and grammar and launching into a read. But did you really UNDERSTAND what you were reading?? Did you know where you were going with that read and what all those terms meant?
This is particularly important with corporate narration projects but even applies to commercials. The true pros, the people who build a loyal following are the narrators who genuinely SOUND like they know what they are talking about - like they live this subject matter every day and are sharing their wealth of knowledge. Well, really the WRITER’s wealth of knowledge.
How do you get to “great?”
Stop a minute. Ask yourself: What am I talking about? Where is this script going? How does this thing I’m talking about work?
Don’t be afraid to ask the client questions. How does this widget get made? What’s really going on when I talk about X? What did you mean about Y? Look up words that are unfamiliar to you - not JUST for pronunciation but for MEANING as well. Take the time to educate yourself about the client’s product or service.
The payoff? The client will know you truly care about the voiceover job you are doing - which builds client loyalty. Also, your read will be genuine and that “truth” of the copy will totally come though in your voice - much the same way as when you plant a big smile on your face the listener can HEAR that smile come through.
About the Author:
For over 30 years Tim Keenan has owned and operated Creative Media Recording, a successful media recording studio providing award winning audio production to independent producers and major corporations.
http://creativemediarecording.com
Hi Tim!
ReplyDeleteAh, so true! There have been times where I've started reading something, stopped half-way through and said, "I'm not reading this right."
Sometimes I think I get it, but once I actually start reading, I realize I didn't get it at all. So I'm faced with having to waste more time by re-recording it.
It's better to actually read it quietly and REALLY get it before stepping into the booth.
Great thoughts!!
Great tips and reminders Tim! Thanks. Often times I find myself not only looking up words/terms and how how they are used in the context of this company and the script, but I usually do some additional background work. One technique I use is to look on the company web site and get a good sense about who they are, what they do, how they do it. Even if it does not pertain directly to the script at hand, as you say, it comes through in the delivery of the copy. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike & Morgan for your comments. You'd be amazed how important it is to clients after a VO session when they tell the engineer that it really felt like the narrator "got them" and understood the client or product. It just leads to more client loyalty...and hopefully more work for all of us!
ReplyDeleteTim Keenan
I totally agree I just wish I was given some...any...time to read through scripts before the session. Countless times I've been printing a script off as the producer dials through..sometimes they dial in before sending it! Badly organised or over worked? Unfortunately its a reality for many.
ReplyDelete