more answers




question:  What is the best way to practice voice over?

answer:

Like anything, voice over requires practice.  And even if you are already terrific at reading voice over scripts, practice will only make you better and/or more confident.

However, practicing incorrectly can do more harm than good.  

That's why we suggest you read the following practice methods, as they will help you practice the right way.



1. Always record your practice sessions, and later play them back to critique. If you do not do this, you're liable to miss your mistakes, and continue reinforcing bad habits.

Note: do not try to critique your performance while recording, as it is near impossible to concentrate on both simultaneously. Play the part of the voice-over artist at first (concentrating on your delivery), and during playback, play the part of the producer (critiquing on your performance).

Note: when practicing "basic technique", do not record more than 30 seconds worth of copy without listening back. If you are reading incorrectly, and you read for a long duration, the incorrect delivery will become reinforced. However, if you are practicing "duration training" (such as audiobooks, narrations, biographies, documentaries, etc.), then you must practice reading for long durations.



2. Use the "Levels of Training," as described in Edge Studio's Industry GuideBook - (excerpts and ordering information at www.edgestudio.com/guidebook/htm ). They are:

a. Practice each technique one at a time, until it is reflexive.

b. Once this has been mastered, practice techniques simultaneously until your delivery sounds natural.

c. Finally, incorporate character, emotion, variety, and creativity into your delivery.



3. Practice reading scripts to groups of people, as this will prepare you for reading in front of producers, engineers, clients, scriptwriters, etc. Libraries, schools, radio stations, and some organizations offer reading for the blind and reading for children.

If you require scripts, go to: www.edgestudio.com/scripts.htm



4. Mimic professional voice over artist's delivery (not their voice type, but the way they say words). This will increase your ability to mimic producers when they give you "line readings" (vocal suggestions of how they want you to deliver the copy). The best way to do this is to record a professional voice-over (using a small recorder), transcribe it, and then mimic it back into your recorder. Then listen back to both recordings to ensure that your delivery is in a similar tone.



5. Practice with as many various styles as possible, as this will increase your ability to take direction, find the appropriate character, and become more diverse, which could open up the doors to more work. For example, during one practice session, try a children's script, an audiobook, and then a telephone messaging systems.


6. Practice the art of reading in your natural voice, as many producers desire unaffected delivery (also known as natural and conversational). This technique will teach you a lot about your own voice, and how challenging it can be to use on command.

To do this, record your own natural conversation (while speaking to someone). Then transcribe it. And then re-record yourself reading the transcription. Listen back to both recordings - they should sound identical. If they don't, you have more practicing to do.



Good luck!

Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss voice over training programs - weekdays 9-5 ET:
     New York training - 212-868-edge
     Washington DC training - 202-398-edge
     Connecticut training - 203-374-edge
     Tele-Training - 888-321-edge