The Tortoise Website

The Tortoise Website
Click on image to go to Author website. "THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT." Eccl. 9:11

Tuesday 28 October 2014

Work In 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 situations and circumstances under which these types of roles are required are actually quite varied. Though radio ads and television spots with narrators or animation are the most popular, they are far from exclusive. Vocal skills are also used to create the clips heard during telephone hold sessions, auditory internet advertising and the trailers and informative pieces played before a feature film.

It takes a particular type of person to excel at this job because they must possess and master certain qualities and skills. Great vocals are necessary, though not enough if they do not sound as good when electronically recorded as they do when used for conversation. Enunciation and clear speaking is essential, particularly when one has, or is utilizing a noticeable accent.

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.

The three main categories to this genre are animation, narration and commercial work. The branch of this trio that deals with advertising is then split into the levels of national, regional and local. One is no more important than the other, though they each come with different employment requirements and varied pros and cons.

The smaller jobs of this type are done on the local tier and generally focus on small business and localized organizations. When a client advertises on a slightly larger scale to reach a broader audience, they tend to hire through regional firms which are mainly in big cities. Coast to coast advertisers cast through national level agencies that inhabit major hubs such as New York, LA and Atlanta, and which are known to prefer actors who belong to unions.

Regardless of which level an actor works on, there are common protocols to gaining employment. Most in this field find hiring vocal coaches and acting instructors with fine reputations can help the individual hone and perfect their skills. Almost always a demo tape of professional quality is required and needs to be submitted along with a resume' to multiple agencies.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment