more Voice Over Today past issues

This issue contains:

1.) SMOOTH VODKA and SMOOTH VOICE OVER -- BOTH GO DOWN WELL

2.) AUTUMN CLASSES

3.) PRO-TOOLS TRAINING

Read this issue and PAST ISSUES at: www.edgestudio.com/voiceovertoday_past.htm

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VOICE OVER TODAY – September 12, 2006

Helping Voice-Talent Build Careers.

Published by EDGE STUDIO
www.edgestudio.com
New York - 212-868-edge
Washington DC - 202-398-edge
Connecticut - 203-374-edge
Tele-Training - 888-321-edge

SINCE: 1988
MEMBER: Better Business Bureau
RECOGNIZED: Voice and Speech Trainers Association
SPONSOR: National Public Radio, Recording For The Blind & Dyslexic

WHAT IS EDGE STUDIO?

1) VOICE OVER CAREER BUILDING
- training
- evaluations
- demos
- marketing resources
- audition prep
- guidance

2) AN ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION FACILITY
Recent Productions:
- Pixar and Disney picture books (35 so far)
- IBM
- Smithsonian
- Sprint/Nextel (casting only)
- Earthlink
- PeoplePC
- U.S.Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Shriners Hospital
- Royal Caribbean
- Celebrity Cruise Lines
- The Wedding Channel
- Kaplan Higher Education
- MetLife
- American Lung Association
- LPGA Golf Tour
- The Gartner Group (casting only)

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1) SMOOTH VODKA and SMOOTH VOICE OVER -- BOTH GO DOWN WELL

Smooth jazz. Smooth skin. Smooth vodka. Everyone likes smooth.

This goes for voice over as well – both producers and listeners prefer smooth deliveries over choppy ones. However many talent read choppily…especially less experienced talent.

Following are the most common types and causes of choppiness. If you want to create smooth relationships with casting professionals and producers, read on.

- DRAMATIC PAUSES

Due to being dramatic and theatrical.

These pauses occur much more often among less experienced talent. Talent feel that dramatic pauses make their delivery sound better, more interesting, and more intriguing. However no matter how good these pauses sounds, the read will generally sound significantly better (smoother) without them.

For example, many talent will pause after the word “Security” in the following sentence, believing that this will add drama. In actuality, most producers do not want drama, and instead prefer a smoother, more natural delivery without the pause. Try reading it both ways.

“Aetna Insurance. Security for a lifetime.”

- CLARYIFYING (and often SUBCONSCIOUS) PAUSES

Due to trying too hard to make the delivery ultra-clear for the listener. Also due to lack of confidence.

Less experienced talent try real hard to make their delivery clear for the listener. In doing so, they separate phrases of the script into little choppy bits. This often occurs unknowingly. Once pointed out, they often recognize how choppy they were and how much better their reads sound when reading smoothly.

For example, most talent will pause in the following sentences (where the slash is). However these sentences will usually sound significantly better (smoother) if read without the pause. Try reading these examples with the pauses. Then try reading the sentences without the pauses. Notice how much better (smoother) they sound the second time. Most producers will prefer it without the pauses:

“Save on men’s, women’s, and children’s fashions / at the one-day super sale!”
“Call 1-800-123-4567 / for more information.”
“PetMeds saves you time and money / on all your family’s pet medications.”
“Please contact customer service / on the number on the card.”
“Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809 / in Hardin County, Kentucky.”
“What we at Travelers Insurance / have been dedicated to providing for 130 years.”
“The easy-to-follow lessons / and innovative accompanying CD included in your packet…”

- UNINTENTIONAL PAUSES BEFORE WORDS THAT BEGIN WITH VOWELS

Due to “working the words” too hard (forcing words).

This epitome of choppiness happens with aspiring talent, professional talent, and singers. The technical term for this occurrence is a “Glottal Stop.” Getting rid of these nasty little pauses makes a voice over delivery go from unprofessional sounding to professional.

For example, read the following sentence. There is a good chance that you will unintentionally pause before the words “always” and “every.” Now try reading it again, this time without the pauses. Notice how much better (smoother) it sounds:

“J.C.Penny always has every item on sale!”

- ROBOTIC DELIVERY

Due to articulating too carefully, being hesitant, and/or over-thinking when reading.

If you’re like most aspiring voice talent, the more you try, the choppier your delivery will be. To repair this, just relax. One of best techniques you can employ to sound smooth is to be relaxed, comfortable, and experienced.

- GRAMMATICAL PAUSES

Due to little experience.

Some punctuation marks are necessary for print but should NOT be used for voice over. Dates, locations, and lists are examples.

For example, read the following sentence twice – the first time following all punctuation marks (which are necessary for print) and the second time without pausing. Notice how the second version sounds better (smoother) without the pauses:

“Dr. Gerard created the first blue, dynamic pithi-scope on September 14th, 1953, in Dallas, Texas.”

PS: You likely paused after “pithi-scope” when reading the sentence the first time. That pause is unnecessary, and your delivery will sound better (smoother) without it.

- IT’S SOMEONE ELSE’S FAULT THAT I PAUSED

Due to copy-writer’s and/or client’s inexperience.

Inexperienced copy-writers and clients often do not read the script out loud before giving it to the voice talent, and therefore often give the voice talent a script full of too many punctuation marks.

Also, clients sometimes take copy directly from print sources and assume it will work well for voice over, when in actuality it will not.

In either case, voice talent are often presented with scripts that contain unnecessary punctuation marks. In these instances, ask the producer if they will prefer alternate reads where punctuation marks are disregarded.

For example, read the following script the way it is written – notice how choppy it is. Now read it again, this time eliminating the majority of pauses. You will hear how much better (smoother) it sounds:

“When reading scripts, written by inexperienced script writers, who sometimes use “too many punctuation marks,” like this sentence… the voice talent will sound very, VERY choppy, if they read every single punctuation mark.”

Final thoughts:

- A good rule of thumb is: “pause between phrases, not within them.” This will create a delivery that sounds natural, as most words in genuine conversation connect to each other.

- There is a time and place for everything. For example, certain scripts may sound terrific with many pauses. Sometimes a client may request a delivery style that appears choppy, yet when mixed with the visual seems appropriate.

- The majority of unnecessary and excessive pauses sound better when eliminated, and instead a smooth delivery is used.

- No matter how good dramatic pauses sound, quite often the delivery will sound better without them.

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2) AUTUMN CLASSES at EDGE STUDIO

Which class will get you more work?

Far away? Tele-training is available for most.

? $159 - Evaluation Assessment Program
? $79 - Do Voice Over From Home
? $79 - Marketing
? $99 - Technique
? $35 - ACT-UP
? $35 - The Audition Ringer
? $99 - Audiobook Intensive
? $99 - Audiobook Advance
? $179 - package for both Audiobook workshops
? $119 - Animation & Character Intensive
? $119 - Animation & Character Advanced
? $199 - package for both Animation & Character workshops

Acclaimed instructors, candid feedback, and value that will build your career.

To participate, call 888-321-edge.

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3) PRO-TOOLS TRAINING
Via telephone, your studio, or our studio.

Clients expect you to work like a pro. And Pro-Tools requires special attention.

OBJECTIVE
Get more work from better sounding recordings.

Our customized Pro-Tools training prices are Lower Than The Cost Of Aggravation And Therapy Fees you'll incur trying to teach yourself.

- diagnosis of your requirements
- design the system right for you
- installation
- training for only the functionality you will need
- support

This:
- Sure beats reading manuals all day.
- Helps ensure your clients get the quality they expect.
- Will pay for itself with satisfied clients.

Train privately with Tom Filogomo (Edge Studio’s Pro-Tools and voice over engineer specialist).

For details
- call Edge Studio at 888-321-edge
- go to www.edgestudio.com/home_studio_protools_training.htm

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ACCURATE READERS WANTED

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HAVE A WEBSITE?

Adding active links on your website can expand your profile while increasing your search-engine results. Take this opportunity to add a link to Edge Studio. Visit www.edgestudio.com/link.htm

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WANT TO ADVERTISE in Voice Over Today?

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Copyright 2006, Edge Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. This article is protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium without the prior written permission of Edge Studio, LLC.