Over the course of several decades of studio work, Joe picked up a few tips along the way that might be of some help to those headed down a similar path. Some of these tips are for voice actors, some are for producers, or writers, or engineers. All are pretty basic, but still worth pointing out.
If you have any comments, or tips of your own you’d like to share, drop Joe a line.
Pronunciation?
Once in a while, you get a script that looks like the starting line up for a major hockey game! And you’ve got to make all those strange names sound natural…
Script Formatting:
A convicted forger named Schiller engraved The Lord’s Prayer on the head of a pin. Richard Berry was inspired to write the R&B classic, “Louie Louie” on a cocktail napkin. But what does your script look like?
Tight Copy:
Two pounds of crap in a one pound bag. We’ve all had to deal with over-written copy. But, as an engineer, is there any way to get around the digital artifacts that arise when you push time compression too far?
“The” Dreaded Word!:
Even the greatest voices have one. It’s the word that pops up in a script and instantly short circuits the connection between your brain and your tongue! What do you do?
Cutting & Trimming
Once you’ve recorded the script, what do you do with all those gasps, wheezes, and other sounds you made while sucking air into your lungs?
Direction Burn-out:
“Try it again… I’ll know it when I hear it!” You just know that this session is headed into those dangerous waters where glazed eyes and creative desperation prowl like sharks. What can you do about it?
Direction Technique:
Want to get the best performance from your voice actor? There are a number of things you can do that will ensure the best work your talent can give… and it all starts with not telling them how to do it!
Joe Van Riper is Mr. VOiceover 