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Brenda C. Smith: Posted on Sunday, July 24, 2011 12:37 PM
The voice over industry is wide with seemingly unending global opportunities, so you might want to look into this as a recurring retirement income. You’ll need to become familiar with the range of market voice-over types from audio books; commercials; documentaries; voice mail; character acting; video and game voices; scientific, medical, or technical vocal transcriptions; foreign translations, and even webinars, teleseminars, podcasts; and more. After exploring what is available you will want to match your voice to what fits your comfort zone and style of speaking. Your tone is the key to fit the script that the producer sees as his vision to make it all work. Since this is a change from your previous career you will want to hone your speech and voice skills with a voice coach. Pick one who knows the industry and can tweak your voice to help you create a great demo for those advertisers and producers who are hiring. There are three critical vocal sound areas that will make a difference on your demo in getting a follow-up call versus being dump in trash. Vocal Key 1: Clarity of your words and correct pronunciation of difficult words, place names, or any technical jargon is essential. For example, if your present or previous career was in the medical field then you are very familiar with medical jargon which will give you an advantage for doing this type of read. The terms will roll off your tongue naturally and not sound odd to the end listeners, who may be doctors or other medical experts. The best exercise that you want to do for any voice over is to exercise your speech articulators: the mouth, lips, tongue and soft palate. This is usually done by a quick warm-up of tongue twisters to flex those muscles. Vocal Key 2: How fast or slow do you read the script can make or break a sale. If, for instance, it’s a commercial script there are time constraints that must be met. The skill is to speak it quickly within the time; but you cannot lose the clarity or the emphasis of the meaning. The best solution to this is a rehearsal of your script many times to get it just right. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking this is a radio DJ speeding through the introduction of a song which is usually very unclear. Instead, keep control of your breathing, and the crispness of the beginnings and ends of your words. If your listener cannot keep up with you then they lose the message altogether. Vocal Key 3: Your tone must fit the style of the script and the acceptable level of the listener.You should get a diagnostic assessment of your vocal pitch level and sound resonation. You may have an annoying pitch level that you’ve been using all your life which will not get your audition accepted. Or, you could be resonating only through your head and not your chest. Working with a microphone is another skill that needs rehearsal. So,working with a professional will be a worthwhile investment in yourself as you will eventually recoup any training expenses from your very first voice overjob. Delivering your script with variety and emphasis to fit the copy will promote you to get repeat calls for work. If you are seriously interested in doing voice overs, the demand is there and worth the investment in upgrading your speech skills to enjoy your retirement without coming up cash short. Please add your comment below. Are you interested in doing Voice Overs? Check out our new online course on our website 'How to be a Radio and Voice Over Performer" |
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Brenda C. Smith: Posted on Monday, July 11, 2011 10:10 AM
Are you looking for activities to engage your audience? One of the major transferable skills that works for teachers, trainers, and presenters is the ability to engage participants in activities that connect with their learning. Drama teachers have used the techniques of learning by“doing” as they apply it to their subject of dramatic arts and their theatrical productions. So, it’s interesting to note that trainers now embrace this method as a strategy to boost their own presentations. As a drama coach, teacher, and director I have always found that my participants at all ages and all academic levels have embraced drama activities to experience a deeper level of understanding about themselves and the relationships that surround them. These techniques are also appropriate at the business, post-secondary, and corporate level for adult learners during their training process. Improvisation, role-playing, group physical activities, and problem- solving activities are strategies that really work to reinforce your key message. Do you have some favourite activities that you would like to share with us? Or do you want a list of activities that work with groups live or online? If so, please leave a comment below or contact us today so we can share our list with you. |
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Brenda C. Smith: Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 8:53 PM
How do you increase your vocal sound so everyone hears you? If you shout or yell louder you are damaging your vocal folds which can lead to further harm and stress. Follow these four steps to enhance the level of your sound so everyone can hear you. Step 1:Look or take aim at the point where you want your sound to be heard. With a group your sound needs to be heard just as clearly at the back of the room as the listeners who hear it at the front of the room. Your mouth should be in a direct line to that farthest point. Step 2: Take a deep breath so your diaphragm expands your lower ribs and back, ready to push your breath out deliberately and slowly to support more volume. This is what will distinguish your sound to be projected but not shouted. Shouting uses only the air support that is in your throat area which puts more strain on your vocal folds and causes you to cough and end up with a sore throat. Step 3: As you project your sound to all members of the audience, remember to pause to take in more supporting breath that you will laser out to a great distance. As you speak, focus on “why” you are giving your message or speech to your audience. Are you telling them something that is of real significance to their life or well-being, or are you relating a story to support your points? Whatever reason, you must project your sound to be heard without losing your texture or variety of expression. If you have something to say that is quiet, it must still be designed to be heard by the farthest person while you maintain your quiet tone. Step 4: Practise your breathing to make it last. This will increase your ability to breathe in, to hold your air, and finally, to exhale your breath to keep you incontrol. You will be able to manipulate how little or how much you need to use. Don’t get caught without any air and then you suddenly you gasp, or you regress to being too quiet to be heard. I’ve notice some of my students during final rehearsals revert to a low quiet sound because they use a microphone. A microphone will enhance your already great projection; however, it will not replace your whisper or quiet voice to be heard by everyone if you are not projecting from within yourself. Be sure you rehearse your speech or presentation with your microphone so you speak at a confident projected level, as the microphone will only emphasize any weaknesses in vocal quality. Voice exercise to increase your skill of vocal projection: Breathe in for a count of 1; hold it for a count of 2; then let the air out for a count of 3. Then gradually increase the amount of air you let out. With practice you will discover your reserve air to project to the entire audience so all can hear you and appreciate your message. Besure to leave a comment on how you project your voice or a question that we can answer for you. KeepVoice Fit! Need a guide to how to enhance all parts of your vocal mechanism. Get “Ten Steps to Unlocking Your Voice” today from our products page http://www.fake.com |
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