Read This If Are You Training To Be A Voice Over Actor
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by: TerryJ.Daniel
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Training voice over talents for television is not quite an easy task. However, you can have a good start by having your prospective voice over artists go through a personal training program that can surely have a positive impact on their performance. Initially encourage your voice over talents to watch TV programs and to study each promos and commercials.
Questions as to the type of promos in line with their voice over needs are a necessary exercise. Similarly, it is important to develop a working knowledge of sound bites.
Janet Wilcox, author of the book, "Voiceovers" encourages voice over talent to explore several genres and acting techniques in order to develop their skills. The easiest way to do this is to simply tune into all of the TV networks and make a note about their branding campaigns.
All major television networks such as HBO, CBS, and ABC provide their viewers a picture of their network's coming attractions via specialized campaigns and promotional materials. Voice over artists can record these promo pieces. Then they can initially enhance their style by applying the energy level, volume, tone, and intensity of the sound bites.
Reviewing a variety of styles can provide a good deal of understanding to voice over talents as far as style, tone, and rhythm of voice is concerned. In like manner, studying each networks branding and campaign materials give an idea on the do's and don'ts in the field or what works and what does not. It will also help much to ask each voice over trainees to come up with samples based on what they learned from each styles and genres.
Voice over artists can learn a lot and develop core skills simply by practicing; they can time themselves to make sure they are delivering the essence of the message in the tight 20-30 second promo spot, and stretch their skills and abilities. As a trainer, you can get them started by doing some online research for samples of TV promo transcripts.
A simple way in utilizing online resources is to use your favorite search engine and look for TV promo or commercial transcripts. It's easier and manageable as well since straight from the Internet, you can produce a printout of the materials that voice over artists can refer to when they practice. There may be instances when despite the artist's familiarity with the ads or promos, he may be alienated with his script and vice versa. In any case, it is best to be proficient by practicing and timing each session in order to send across the message as precisely as possible.
Aside from the ones previously mentioned, you can introduce breathing exercises each session. Awareness on how breathing takes place, its patterns, and other related habits can surely have positive effects on the trainees. Make sure a log or monitoring chart is prepared to make them follow what pattern helps them and those that do not. In addition, let them practice in a place where they can maximize their voice projection.
Last but not the least, they can join a 'personal training program' and be assured that their TV voice over skills will improve at a faster pace. Other than collecting promo copy and scripts as reference, they need to allot at least 15 - 20 minutes per day to polish up their craft and eventually be an expert in the near future.
About the Author
Author Terry Daniel is a Professional Voice Over Actor from Minneapolis, Minnesota and Has Provided the Voice Talent for Dozens of Projects and Advertisements Since 1991.
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