two scientistsOne of my favorite kinds of work is documentary style narration. The subjects vary dramatically and I always learn something new. This piece is a splash video for Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego.

Compared to commercials, there is time to elaborate on the topic. And the pace is more measured, allowing time for the visuals and voice to breathe.

I also know that this style of VO is suited to my voice and brain. Big Anthem-type scripts are not. However, VOG (Voice of God) announcing is. Two completely different kinds of sounds, attitudes, and scripts.

When you are a working voice talent with agents, you get a lot of auditions. It pays to read them carefully. Study the scripts. When you get commercial scripts, read the specs first. What age. What celebrity touch point. I know my voice age is NOT 25-35, so I don’t audition. More and more you see celebrity touchstones listed. If I don’t sound anything like any of the celebs listed, I don’t audition. They don’t want voice matches. They want attitude, approach, vocal quality. Goes back to knowing where you fit.

The specs these days veer away from anything that sounds like an announcer. Real. Authentic. Great actors. Working comedians, even. Yet the scripts usually contain the word “introducing” which is something that real people simply don’t ever say. When was the last time you said, “Hey Frank, introducing the all new electric leaf blower.”?

But, if the specs call for a warm middle-age voice with a touch of authority and the copy is well written, then I am all over it.

Another type of commercial I audition for is the “testimonial.” The shopper, the mother, the grandmother, the best friend, the harried wife. These are fun. And because they are supposed to be real people, saying things that real people say, you can ad lib a bit.

So, enjoy this little splash video and if you have an informational script that needs my voice, let me know!