Voice Over Today

Voice Over Today   Handling punctuation helps mark you as a pro. Punctuation is really wonderful.  It, uh, punctuates.    Those little marks add meaning in so many possible ways: Timing Emotion Sense of humor Phrasing Clarification Making it easier for the talent to read Makings it easier for the listener to hear But many voice talent and clients overlook punctuation's potential.  So today we look at Punctuation: The unspoken hero! FIRST, 6 REASONS WHY SOME SCRIPTS MISS THEIR MARK (1) Not all text is written by a professional copywriter. At Edge Studio, we deal with copy from all kinds of thoughtful, highly skilled writers. But we also frequently meet businesspeople who wrote the script themselves.  Sometimes their punctuation can be abysmal. (2) Many professional copywriters forget that someone else has to interpret what that punctuation mark means. (3) Some clients don't read the script aloud before giving it to you. So they miss errors. (4) Other clients read the script aloud, but do so the way they hear it, not as it appears on the page. As a result, you receive an obstacle course of confusing phrases, tongue-twisters and breathless prose. (5) Then there are the voice artists who skip over the punctuation without much reason.  Yes, there are times to ignore it, but there are more times to use it to your advantage.  Each instance should be a professional-grade choice. (6) Often the copy comes straight from print. A marketer might try to save money on their tradeshow video by having you read text taken directly from their brochure. As you should know, printed text is seldom written the way we talk. So the punctuation needs to be changed to some degree.   SECOND, 4 PUNCTUATION CONSIDERATIONS (1) Skip some punctuation Some punctuation should be skipped.  For example, you may not need to pause at the following commas: "That's one tough, rugged truck!" "For protection against burglary, fire, and natural disaster, trust Allstate." "Sale begins February 9, 2010, at 9am!" And phone numbers -- while they might be written: 1-800-555-5555 it is usually better not to pause between the "1" and the "800."   (2) Change some punctuation   Sometimes you have to change punctuation.   As when video accompanies your voice over. Suppose you're working on a documentary about the five highest mountains. The script reads: "The world's five highest mountains are Mount Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu." What you don't see in that sentence (but hopefully the director will tell you) is that the video will pan on each range for about 5 seconds. So you should read each mountain's name it as if there were a period after it (rather than the comma).   If there were visuals for the Allstate example above, that list would be another example.   (3) Add some punctuation   Other times, you need to add punctuation.  Example: Another reason for adding punctuation is the run-on sentence that allows no place for the listener to think and has no particular point of emphasis and offers no place for you to take a... breath. Run-ons endanger the quality of any writing (unless you're James Joyce or Wolf Larsen).  But in print, at least the reader can go back and re-read. People usually can't re-listen. (Things like audio books excepted, and anyway it's a pain.)   I find that 3 to 5 seconds is the longest somebody can listen without a break in text. (A line of 12-point Times type on the printed page is about four seconds, so there should generally be at least one break within it.)   So give the listener's brain time to process what's coming in, by thinking about the meaning of the copy and phrasing it well.   Be careful not to overdo my advice, you risk becoming choppy. Every pause is not the same.   (4) Analyze some punctuation   How long should you pause at each punctuation mark? "Guess how much Miller Ford is taking off cars this weekend? 20%!" "Guess how much Miller Ford is taking off cars this weekend -- 20%!" "Guess how much Miller Ford is taking off cars this weekend . . . 20%!" Directors may hear each of these markings a different way. So practice: Teach yourself to develop reasons why and how each version would be read differently.  For example:   "Guess how much Miller Ford is taking off cars this weekend? 20%!" This :30-second radio commercial is word-heavy, and subsequently the director needs it read quickly. "Guess how much Miller Ford is taking off cars this weekend -- 20%!" This radio commercial has a sound effect of a drum roll plays during the break. "Guess how much Miller Ford is taking off cars this weekend . . . 20%!" This TV commercial shows an on-camera actor holding up a sign declaring 5% off.  Then she drops it to find another sign behind it declaring 10% off.  Then again a 15% off sign.  And finally a 20% off sign.   AND NOW, WE PAUSE FOR EMPHASIS...   I can't emphasize this too strongly: It's small punctuation marks that signal the difference between an amateur and the experienced pro.   Punctuation is a matter of making good choices. Well chosen, it become more than a series of breaks. Punctuation becomes the essence of timing, emphasis, and drama.   For more on these matters, including punctuation, see Chapters 4 and 5 in The Industry Guidebook, available as a free download at www.EdgeStudio.com. Free Career Center Resources 100% sponsored by Edge Studio! Visit www.edgestudio.com/career_center.htm ASK-A-COACH UNIONS, HOME STUDIOS, AUDITIONS, AGENTS,..... ASK ANYTHING! Call 641-594-7078 Mondays 10pm-10:30pm ET Wednesday 3pm-3:30pm ET Fridays 10am-10:30am ET CD DEMOS: WHAT GOES ON THEM? www.edgestudio.com/voice-over-CD-demo-design-graphics-artwork.htm RATES: THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY RATE CARD www.edgestudio.com/Voice-Over-Rate-Card.htm ESTIMATE HELPER: THE WORDS-TO-HOURS-CONVERTER www.edgestudio.com/Voice-Over-Words-to-Hours-Converter.htm SCRIPTS: 3,500 FREE PRACTICE SCRIPTS www.edgestudio.com/scripts.htm EDUCATION: FREE INDUSTRY GUIDEBOOK www.edgestudio.com/guidebook.htm IMPROVEMENT: THE VOICE OVER MISTAKE CHART www.edgestudio.com/Voice-Over-Mistake-Chart.htm TALK WITH A PRO: CANDID ANSWERS FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS Call 641-594-7078 Tuesdays 9pm-10pm ET schedule: www.edgestudio.com/workshop-talk-with-a-pro.htm FAQs & ARCHIVES: learn, LEARN, !LEARN!! www.edgestudio.com/answerseries.htm   ONLY 1 IN 10 (voice over) COVER LETTERS GETS IT RIGHT. An actual mailbox survey shows that 90% of voice-over talent make at least one major gaff in their cover email, snail mail, CD label or website. And the one prospect you miss, the one gatekeeper you turn off, might be the one to make your career. But you can't avoid mistakes if you don't know what they are. As a freelance copywriter familiar with the voice-over business, I can help. I've written dozens of small-business websites, countless sales letters, thousands of radio commercials and much more. (Learn more about me at www.rensch.com/vo-mktg.) I'll look over your marketing materials or plans AT NO CHARGE, and if you could use some help, I'm available at a special affordable rate offered only to artists. Remember, what you say about yourself says a lot about you. Let's be sure your words communicate quickly, clearly and meaningfully to the people you need to reach. Please call Randy Rensch at 718-577-0005 or email me at vo-mktg@rensch.com for a free consultation while time permits.     WEBSITES FOR VOICE OVER TALENT   Need a way to share your voice with the world? A website is an excellent tool for promoting your unique talents and skill to casting directors, agents, clients, and other industry professionals.   ArtistUpgrade is a graphic design boutique that specializes in the development of professional, effective, personalized websites and graphic design for creative professionals   WE OFFER: Innovative designs that express your personal style Unlimited media files for download Free domain name registration and hosting Quality design at affordable charges Design backed by Industry Research and Experience Brand Development & Marketing Advice PRICING: Call us for a free quote or visit our website at www.ArtistUpgrade.com to learn more   WE LOVE EDGE: Mention "Edge Studio" to receive an exclusive discount on any print or website design   READY TO GET STARTED? Email us at info@artistupgrade.com or call 347-738-6020 ArtistUpgrade:: "The Power of Design."   CHECK VoiceOverXtra DAILY & Get On With Your Career!   FREE! Learn insider tips and techniques from the pros - voice acting, home studio, marketing, career - and so much more.  New subscribers receive 14 valuable reports by industry experts: How To Ace The Audition   VoiceOverXtra ... The Voice-Over Industry's Online News, Education & Resource Center ... Your Daily Resource For Building Voice-Over Success   www.VoiceOverXtra.com/subscribe.htm     Free Acting Audition Notices   You may know that www.AuditionsOnly.com provides Free audition notices and exclusive discounts to actor-related services What you may not know is that we are the #1 e-mail advertising resource for performing arts professionals and services. WHY? We have an active list of over 13,000 e-mails (actors, singers, directors, agents, casting directors, producers etc ). We have over a decade of experience assisting actors and performing arts services with internet marketing. We help you create successful ads by understanding your passion and bringing that passion into your marketing materials. We review who opened your emails, who clicked on your website, and we advise you on what to do for future success. WE ARE AFFORDABLE! Lastly, we stand behind our work 100%. If you do not receive the results you are looking for, we will work with you at no charge until we find a way that WILL bring you results. Please call David Marcus @ 718-812-8148 or email david@AuditionsOnly.com for further information.     Wondering how to use social media...?   WONDERING HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BUILD YOUR VOICE-OVER BUSINESS?  Get your FREE copy of Dave Courvoisier's tele-seminar and resource guide "Leveraging Social Media in your Voice-Over Career" at www.voiceoverdirectory.com/socialmediaseminar.html     Casting Call For Audiobooks   Talent listings in AudioFile's Audiobook Reference Guide NEW OR EXPERIENCED, put your voice in front of directors and producers who cast audiobooks.   AudioFile, is the source of all things audiobook, and the Guide's Talent listings have the features audiobook producers asked for! Multiple voice demos Audiobook credits linked to reviews Agent & Contact information Accent & language skills And more. List in AUDIOFILE'S AUDIOBOOK REFERENCE GUIDE. Just $160 includes AudioFile magazine professional subscription. Find out more: www.audiofilemagazine.com/guide_talent.html Or Guide@audiofilemagazine.com or 800-506-1212 or www.audiofilemagazine.com       Voice Over Today is gladly published by Edge Studio ...NOT YOUR TYPICAL VOICE OVER SCHOOL Have a question? Want free advice? Call, we'll help! www.edgestudio.com training@edgestudio.com Tele-Training: 888-321-edge New York: 212-868-edge Washington DC: 202-398-edge Connecticut: 203-334-edge SINCE: 1988 MEMBER: SaVoa MEMBER: Better Business Bureau MEMBER: Voice and Speech Trainers Association SPONSOR: National Public Radio, Recording For The Blind & Dyslexic