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5 Tips to Prepare a Script for a Voice Over Actor

Mar 19, 2021

 

5 Tips to Prepare a Script for a Voice Over Actor

voice over actor, voice over talent, voice over, voiceover actor

Most producers and writers go through quite a few script edits. There's a lot of back and forth to make sure they get the message just right. They have client or director feedback to help give context on the proposed delivery. Edit some more and then the script is finally approved and everyone rejoices!  Not quite... 


Then there's the process of listening to voices that will best serve your project's needs. Once the voice over actor is selected, there are still a few more steps that need to happen prior to sending the script for the final read.


After 20 years in the business, I hope these tips provide guidance and understanding into our VO world.
5 Tips to prepare a script for a voice over actor:

 1) Double Space Between the Lines (and Words). 
Many scripts are prepared with visuals and notes. Remove any excess information and only include the script and notes relevant to the voice over actor in the word document. Be sure to double space the script. It makes it much easier if the voice over talent “knows” where the next word is, rather than “hope” they're speaking the correct word. Less hesitancy on the reader's part makes for a better voiceover. Also, double or triple space between words if you can. That way there will be no denying where each word sits. 

2) Bold Font.
Type words you want emphasized in BOLD font. They’ll stand out and can be spotted quickly. This allows talent to make the necessary adjustments when reading the script.

3) Press Pause.
If you want any pauses, that might be out of the ordinary, say so. No two pauses are necessarily alike, so giving a voice over actor a recommended area for pause - perhaps some context - will offer a better read and result.

4) Pronunciation.
Type out the phonetics of hard-to-pronounce words or, even better, send a link to a YouTube video in which the word is used.  Often times a rough read for tough words/ tough script will help be a guide to ensure proper pronunciation. This could be for proper names, places, hard terminology, etc.

5) Timing is Everything.
If your script has a time requirement, please share the proposed total read time. Before finalizing the script, most writers and producers should also read the script out loud and time themselves. For example, if a script is meant to be read in 30-seconds, but you - as the writer - can't read it in less than 45-seconds, only 2 things will happen. The voice over actor will read it in approximately 45-seconds or if forced, it will be super fast cramming 45-seconds into 30-seconds, which does not sound good - at all. 

I recommend a 30-second script should be closer to 26 seconds of read to allow for breaths and pauses. Most professional voice over actors annunciate far more than you might experience in a regular conversation. These extra bits of VO gold often adds to the time - however, miniscule. But it's well worth it!

Final Thoughts...
Most reads are self explanatory. But if you have a more complex project with more direction, a conversation to manage final read expectations can help give you a great final performance.  I highly recommend you work with a voice over actor who's willing to speak with you about your script. 

Have a Question or Want to Schedule an Audition? Contact me here...

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