How To Get A Professional Voice Over Artist For Your Video

Professional Voice Over Artist

First of all, what is a voice over?

Wikipedia defines voice over as:

Voice-over, also called off-camera or off-stage commentary, is a production technique where a voice that is not part of the narrative (non-dialog) soundtrack is used in radio, television production, filmmaking, theatre, or other presentations.

The voiceover is read from a script and maybe spoken by someone who appears elsewhere in the show or by a specialist voice talent.

Voiceovers are also used to add depth and dimension to a story. When done well, it can help establish mood, provide context, and even give the audience information that they would not have caught on-screen.

For example, in a film where a character is driving, the sound of the car's engine and music may be drowned out by the narration. By emphasizing different sounds off-screen, the filmmaker can give the audience a more complete understanding of what is happening in the scene.

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How Does Voice Over Work?

To be most effective, voice over requires writing a narrative or commentary. In the case of commercials, the ad agency and their clients will collaborate on the creative concept for a production, at which time they also create a script.

Although it's possible to make a good commercial with no words, using only music and sound effects, agencies usually prefer to have a message establish some context before presenting their product.

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A good commercial tells a story by creating images of what is being sold. It may even entertain as well as inform. Along these lines, voiceover establishes mood and creates an environment where the audience can suspend disbelief enough to buy into whatever idea is suggested.

What Kind Of Voice Do I Need?

There is no one perfect voice for voiceovers. However, there are certain qualities that tend to be more successful than others. For example, a voice that is clear, articulate, and expressive will usually work well.

Additionally, it's important to sound natural and conversational; the audience should feel like they are listening to someone speaking directly to them. Finally, be aware of your tone and make sure it matches the mood of the script.

Why is a good voice over critical for your video?

A professional, well-done voice over can be the difference between an amateur and pro-level video. It can add an air of authority and professionalism and make your video more engaging and entertaining.

If you're looking to create a commercial or marketing video, a good voice over will help sell your product by establishing context, tone, and message.

How do you find the right voice over talent for your project?

There are many ways to find the right voice over talent for your project. One option is to search online directories such as Voice123 or Voices.com. These sites have databases of professional voice over artists that you can browse and audition. You can also search for agencies that specialize in voiceovers. Even doing a quick Google search for a specific kind of voice that you're looking for will yield hundreds of results.

Do I need a professional voice talent for a great voice over?

You definitely don't need a professional voice talent to get a great voice over. If you have someone who has the right tone and accent for your video, it can be just as effective as any paid actor or announcer.

Whether you're looking for an experienced pro or just someone with the right tone and accent for your video, they must understand what your script needs from them to convey its intended message.

The essential elements of a good voice over

There are a few essential elements to creating a professional, high-quality voiceover. In addition to finding the right voice talent for your project, it's vital to have a well-constructed script and know exactly what you expect from them when they're recording.

What makes a good script?

The first element of a professional voice over is having a compelling script with your core brand messaging. This includes knowing how much time will be given for each take and your expectations for the final product.

If you want multiple variations or longer than one minute, be sure to let your talent know that before they begin recording so that they don't end up wasting time on something that won't be used because it doesn't fit within your requirements. Be sure to edit text before you give the voice actor the final copy. A great voice over can also be ruined by poor editing, so be sure to have a plan for how you will handle that as well.

How do I direct my professional voice actor?

The second element of a great voice over is knowing how to direct your talent. This includes giving clear instructions about what you want them to say and how you want them to say it. If you're not confident in your ability to direct a voice talent, consider hiring a producer or director who specializes in voiceovers. They will help ensure that your video has the best possible sound and that your message is communicated effectively.

In short, a good voice over can make or break your video. By emphasizing different sounds off-screen, the filmmaker can give the audience a more complete understanding of the scene they are watching. To produce a high-quality voice over, it is essential to find the right voice talent, have a well-constructed script, and know exactly how you want your talent to deliver your message. By following these tips, you can be sure that your video will have a professional sound that will engage and entertain your audience.

Voice Over Script Writing Tips

There are many things you should remember when writing a voice over script. First of all, you must know what you want the viewer to take away from the video. Then comes how your viewer will receive this information without seeing any images or videos that would explain this further in a more visual way. Once you have these two points down, then it's just a matter of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and creating your script!

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Audio clarity and volume are critical.

When writing your voice over script, you'll want to make sure the spoken words are easily heard and understood. This means that you should avoid any background noise, such as music or a person talking on the phone. Ensure that this will not be an issue when recording by turning off anything that might interfere with the recording quality.

It is also essential to use a higher volume setting on the microphone to record correctly, allowing maximum audibility later in editing. When it comes time to edit, there's nothing worse than having to play tricks with sound just because of poor audio quality from the original recording!

Concerning how loud or soft you'll need your professional voice actor to record their part will depend entirely on the video and the voice-over itself.

Be Concise

If you're ever in doubt, it's always best to err on the side of being concise rather than verbose.

A voice over is not a place for flowery language or extensive storytelling – get to the point!

This is especially important when writing for commercials, as time is always of the essence.

Leave room for creativity.

Although it's essential to be concise, you don't want to stifle your talent's creativity by being too restrictive with your script.

Leave room for them to add their own flair and inflection, within reason, of course. This will help ensure that the voice actor's delivery sounds natural and unscripted.

Match the tone of your video

The tone of your voice over should match the style of your video.

If the video is funny, the voice over should be humorous. If it's serious, the voice over should be serious.

This may seem like common sense, but it's easy to forget in the heat of writing a script.

Use emotion to convey your message.

Just as with dialogue, you can use emotion to convey your message through a voice over.

Make sure that the words you choose will help get your point across in an impactful way.

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Don't include any unnecessary information.

As mentioned before, a voice over is not the place for extraneous information.

Your script should be tight and to the point, without any superfluous words or phrases.

Have someone else read your script

It's always a good idea to have someone else read your script – preferably someone with a different voice than your own.

This will help you understand how it will sound when spoken aloud.

Recording Your Voice Over

Now that you've written your perfect voice over script, it's time to start recording!

Find the right talent.

The first step in recording a voice over is finding the right talent for the job. Do some research and find a voice actor or actress with the right tone and style for your project.

Record in a quiet environment

As mentioned before, background noise can interfere with the quality of your recording. Make sure to record in a quiet environment so that your talent's voice is the only thing that is heard.

Use a good microphone.

A good microphone is vital when recording a voice over.

The sound quality of your recording will be much better if you use a quality microphone instead of relying on the built-in mic on your computer or phone.

Edit and mix the audio properly

Once you've recorded your voice over, it's essential to properly edit and mix the audio. This will help ensure that the final product sounds smooth and polished.

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Conclusion:

There you have it – everything you need to know about writing and recording a voice over! Follow these tips, and you're sure to create a voice over that is professional, concise, and compelling.

No matter what you're recording, having the right equipment is the key to success. Make sure that you have a quiet environment to record, along with a high-quality microphone.

Also, be sure to have your script written out well in advance so that it's not being scribbled down frantically during the recording session itself.

Once all of this is taken care of, post-production editing should go smoothly and produce an accurate representation of your original vision for the project!