A Full Guide to Recording a Conversational Voiceover
The days of infomercials, hard pitches, and advertising as an announcer in voiceover are over. Even in Audiobooks and E-Learning where you’ll traditionally hear a smooth and polished voice, audiences are preferring voice actors who sound, well - human! I entered my career as a voice actor in middle school, so I knew firsthand that GenZ and Millennials wanted to hear voices who represented a fresh and relatable style. After almost 8 years of recording, I have a process for creating a voiceover that sounds like I’m talking face-to-face with a friend. I’ve outlined my process below, keep scrolling!
STEP 1: The Chair Exercise
In a voiceover lesson a few years back, I remember a voice acting coach telling me she had a tiny dollhouse chair that sat next to her script at all times in the booth. According to her, this tiny chair prevented her from ever getting lazy with her performance. Why? She told me this chair reminded her that there was a live audience listening to her - much like a stage actor has an audience in a theater. She recommended I use pictures of people I know, and tape them up on the walls of my booth. If your voiceover is sounding monotone or flat - remember you have a seated audience!
STEP 2: Adjectives and Company Names
Even when speaking naturally in a voiceover, there needs to be pitch shifts and highlighted words in your file to keep it interesting for the listener. When deciding which words to emphasize in your script, pick the adjectives and company name first and foremost. Add some “sparkle” and pay close attention to these two types of words, and watch (or should I say - listen) as your voiceover comes to life!
STEP 3: Lower Your Volume
When I play back my old voiceover files, I cringe when I hear my unnecessarily loud volume. I was a theatre kid, and you can tell. Say it, don't spray it! When you’re recording solo, it’s difficult to keep your speaking level low and slow - but it makes all the difference when delivering a believable read. If you feel the need to increase your volume, inch closer to your microphone or turn up your gain instead.
STEP 4: The Method Acting Hack
In case you’ve never heard of Method Acting, it can be described as an acting strategy to connect with your character in an emotional way. I use a form of Method Acting in voiceover, and it’s never failed me!
When I read a script, I try to really understand what the company is trying to communicate to the buyer. Almost every product or service solves an emotional problem - such as a frustrated mom being sold a safer pacifier, or an exhausted college student being sold an energy drink.
When recording for the modern-day pacifier, I would try to imagine my
fur-baby ripping open a toy and consuming the stuffing. That’s a vet bill waiting to happen! I would love an alternative toy for my (fur) baby that makes her safer. With this related experience in mind, my enthusiasm about the product will come through in a genuine way! For the energy drink, I might imagine a recent late night of editing - and how I just needed my favorite drink to get the job done. Suddenly, I can understand where that college student is coming from and communicate to them on their level. With almost any business, you can find a similar experience where you had the same problem - you might just need to get a little creative!
STEP 5: Cold Read First
Before you prepare and rehearse - do a recorded cold read! Even if you don’t think you’ll use it, you’d be surprised by how much personality comes through when you don’t overthink a script. Before I ever read a script, I record a first take blind and use my gut instincts. Sometimes my most natural performance comes from an authentically un-planned read!
- Written and Posted by Dacey Else
