You hear them everywhere – on television commercials, video games, and even when you’re on hold on your phone. These disembodied voices are known as voice over, and they can help convey a lot of information about a product, service, or event without the use of visuals. The people who do voice over are called voice artists or voice actors, and they typically record their work in a professional studio.
When creating a voice over script, it’s important to consider the tone and style of voice you want for your video. Using a male or female voice, or a specific dialect or accent (think: a southern drawl) can all affect the way your audience perceives your video.
Once you’ve written a script, read it out loud several times. This can help you identify if you’re saying things that don’t sound natural or if you have a lull in your reading that needs to be corrected.
There are many different types of voice over, from acting out a character in film or TV to creating an audiobook narration. Some of the most famous examples include Sir David Attenborough and Morgan Freeman. Movie trailers are another popular type of voice over, with legendary voice actor Don LaFontaine becoming the “voice of movies” for a generation of cinema goers. Other uses of voice over can include narrating documentaries or announcing announcements at events or tourist destinations.