Monday, November 3, 2014

Intro To Voice Over Commercials

By Roseann Hudson


Many people have vocal talents that could serve them well as a career choice. Perhaps it is a speaking timbre that is soothing, captivating, or alluring enough to command an audience, or maybe they simply have a very unique sound. For these individuals, working in voice over commercials, a field that is actually rather diverse, just may be the perfect option.

This is a job field that requires a person to use just their vocal faculties to spread information, entertain, or sell ideas, products and services. How an individual looks is not important in this type of career as the way they sound is all the client is interested in. The goal of the assignments is to have a written script performed effectively enough to convey emotion, create ambiance and make an impression through speech.

The recorded piece may be aired under several different circumstances and situations. What immediately comes to mind for most people are radio spots and television clips that require a narrator or character actor. These skills are also put to use in ads placed on websites, those played prior to the start of a movie and even the ones heard when a caller is put on hold during a telephone call as a few more examples.

Not just anyone can be a success in this field as there are particular qualities and certain skills that must be mastered first. Fine vocals are an obvious requirement but they must be just as good when recorded as when spoken as electronic devices are known to alter some people's voices. Speaking clearly, especially when using an accent, is an absolute must.

It is a misconception that this career is meant only for those with fantastically attractive sounding vocals. This is actually another field of acting and as such, a wide variety of sounds and styles are used on a regular basis, all depending on what the client is requesting. One must be adept at acting and be proficient at believably delivering the words in the script, often without the benefit of visual cues.

Narration spots and animation roles, along with commercial work, are the three primary categories of this area of the acting field. The advertising branch of this trio is further divided into the local, regional and national levels of employment. They are equally important and each one will have their own specific requirements along with certain pros and cons.

Jobs on the local level include things like civic organizations and car dealerships that only need to advertise within a small area. Gigs are qualified as regional when they reach a larger broadcast zone that is normally centered around a large city and focusing on more wide spread subjects. National job positions are normally cast through major firms that are located in places like Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles and often only hire actors belonging to unions.

Whichever level an actor decides to focus on, they will need to follow the same general protocols. It starts with hiring reputable vocal and acting coaches to perfect the necessary skills required for most jobs. A quality demo tape is a must and it is mostly a matter of submitting copies of it with a resume' to as many ad agencies and open calls as possible.




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