What is a voice over and how to make them awesome

What is a voice over?’ Whether it’s cartoons, GPS prompts, or Super Bowl commercials, they are universal storytelling techniques that use the power of voice to entertain, educate, and persuade. It’s also a billion-dollar industry because countless businesses and individuals rely on them – to draw customers, promote films, or increase brand awareness. They’re the reason we have Master Chief’s dynamic heroism, Bart Simpson’s dark humor, and YouTube ads that promote the latest trends. 

Since Voice123 is a global voice over authority, in this post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of the industry, from what is a voice over to the different types in audiovisual projects and how you can use them to inspire your audience.

Get ready to unlock your narratives the Voice123 way! 

What is a voice over?

A voice over is a production technique where voice actors record audio, like dialogue, commentary, sound effects, or even music, that’s added to projects like narration in documentaries or audiobooks, character dialogue for movies or video games, or informational content in commercials or social media videos. They also promote content accessibility since actors can record scripts in diverse accents or languages to make content available worldwide for different audiences. The recorded audio usually plays in the background of video footage or other on-screen visuals in movies, TV shows, commercials, video games, animations, TikTok videos, YouTube Shorts, documentaries, audiobooks, and even automated voicemail greetings.

One of the most famous examples is Morgan Freeman. You can hear his distinctive, smooth drawl in documentaries like March of the Penguins and commercials for Moutain Dew and Turkish Airlines. With unmatched emotional depth, his performances engage audiences, immersing them in diverse stories. Now, let’s look at a few different types of voice over.

10 different types of voice overs 

  1. Commercials are TV and radio ads and online and promotional videos that highlight a product’s or service’s benefits to audiences.
  2. Narrations provide clear, informative, and engaging descriptions in documentaries, educational videos, and audiobooks.
  3. Characters bring fictional personalities to life in animation, video games, and character-driven projects. 
  4. E-Learning in online courses and training modules deliver instructional content to learners clearly and easily. 
  5. Video games provide voices for characters, narrations, tutorials, and in-game instructions. 
  6. Promos and movie trailers build anticipation and excitement by featuring dramatic or intense vocal delivery.
  7. Radio dramas are like podcasts. They create audio-based narratives with characters, dialogue, sound effects, and music.
  8. Medical and science projects explain intricate concepts for educational and training materials with clear articulation. 
  9. Foreign language dubbing replaces the original dialogue with a translated version in films, TV shows, and animations.
  10. Audiobooks are narrated stories for audio consumption that require storytelling skills, emotional delivery, and clear enunciation.

But what role do these many types of voice overs play in audiovisual media projects?

What are voice overs in audiovisual projects?

what is a voice over

Voice overs in audiovisual projects are vocal techniques that highlight specific aspects of a project and enhance its storytelling and character development. Some of these techniques include range, dialect, accent, and emotional nuances that capture the viewer’s attention and provide insight into a character’s thoughts or feelings. They also use persuasive language and emotional depth to help audiences connect with the story or a specific character, and they can optimize a brand’s identity.

The most unique feature of voice overs is that while they fall under the acting umbrella, audiences don’t see the artist’s face, which allows the production to extend beyond simple dialogue. For example, it can include singing songs in animated films or videos, sound effects like war cries in video games, or emphatic laughs in anime. So, now that you know the 123 of what is a voice over, let’s look at some steps to help you make them.

How to make a voice over

You can make awesome voice overs by following these steps:

  1. Draft a script that balances clarity, emotion, pacing, and rhythm.
  2. Choose a pro whose tone, pitch, and style align with your writing. 
  3. Use equalization to harmonize your soundscape. 
  4. Use post-production editing to smooth out imperfections, synchronize sound with visuals, and incorporate subtle sound effects and music. 
  5. Refine the vocal process between yourself, voice actors, and other team members with open and free-flowing communication.

Now, while you could record the ‘voice’ part on your own or get a friend to help, hiring a professional voice actor from Voice123 makes the whole process easier and more efficient. So here’s a quick breakdown of 5 qualities to look for in a voice actor. And if you need a few tips on how to hire a pro, check out our post on How to hire a voice actor on Voice123.

5 qualities to look for in a voice actor

1. Vocal emotion

Skilled voice actors can vary their tone, pitch, and pace to enhance a character’s surface emotions and underlying personality complexities. So, choose an actor who can transition between different emotions, creating an authentic character’s journey that resonates with audiences. Take Bugs Bunny’s flippant and carefree attitude, for example. Although Bugs has had over eight different voice actors since the 1930s, each one captured Bugs’ authentic vocal personality for almost a century.

2. Flexibility and spontaneity

Versatile voice actors can adapt their vocal qualities to suit the character’s age, background, and temperament. They experiment with different inflections, accents, and speech patterns, infusing naturalness and dynamics into a script. Steve Downes, for example, voiced Halo’s Master Chief from just a simple character sketch. His only description was, ‘channel a Clint Eastwood-type character.’ Being spontaneous and creative helped Downes make the faceless warrior realistic for gaming fans worldwide.

3. Character connection

Dedicated voice actors understand their characters’ history, motivations, relationships, and struggles. By embodying it, they infuse their performances with unique insight and discernment. This creates a vocal portrayal that feels genuinely lived-in. Tom Kenny, the Spongebob voice actor since 1999, is one example. Often referred to as a ‘sponge’ because of his apt character depiction, Kenny has starred in over 300 Spongebob episodes, video games, movies, and series spin-offs.

4. Calm under pressure

To narrate intricate information with complex details requires calmness and composure. But this isn’t just an outward trait; it reflects an actor’s ability to control their vocal delivery. Especially when faced with challenging scripts or time constraints. Consider the serenity David Attenborough brings to the silver screen as he narrates the life and sometimes death of nature’s wonders. Delivering instructional information in a mesmerizing tone that absorbs the audience’s complete attention.

5. Able to accept direction 

Voice actors must collaborate with directors, producers, and production crew seamlessly. This means they need to accept feedback and alter or adapt their performance to align with creative direction. So, if the voice over director asks for a more authoritative tone for a character, the voice actor must readily adjust their delivery to achieve the desired style of confidence. By responding to guidance, skilled voice actors enrich a scene’s impact.

Final thoughts

what is a voice over

So, folks, in a nutshell, voice overs are more than just pre-recorded voices reading words and lines. With the right vocal talent behind your script, audiences will be lining up for your product/service. Whether you’re making a movie trailer or launching an audiobook, look for a voice actor with vocal emotion, flexibility, spontaneity, character connection, calm under pressure, and the ability to accept direction. 

Now, while you’ll find numerous talented vocal pros on Voice123, you can also take advantage of our unique Managed Services and let us handle the A-Z of your project, from casting to payment. Because we care enough to send you only the very best.

FAQs

What is a voice over?

A voice over is a video or audio recording technique used in media productions like films, TV shows, commercials, animations, video games, and more; then, the narration, dialogue, or commentary is recorded and synchronized with visuals during post-production.

What does a voice over do?

A voice over provides narrative context, explains complex concepts, conveys emotions, delivers character dialogue, and guides viewers through a story; they enhance viewer experiences by providing essential information, setting the tone, and establishing a connection between the audience and the content.

What is an example of a voice over?

David Attenborough’s Planet Earth documentary is an example of a famous voice over, and his soothing, knowledgeable tone describes things like flora, fauna, and the ecosystem, enriched by captivating visuals that engage audiences.

What are some types of voice over?

There are several types of voice overs, like narratives in audiobooks, character voices in animations, commercial voices in ads, instructional voices in tutorial videos, promotional voices in movie trailers, documentary voices in documentaries, and announcers in radio shows.

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