Has your creative team returned to work in a somewhat ‘hybrid fashion?  Are you being asked to meet in the office of your advertising agency while also being offered the opportunity to continue to work as a creative director, copywriter, producer or commercial video director from home?   Wait – is that the same question written two different ways for SEO purposes?  #insightfulreader. 
 
As working environments continue to evolve, the landscape of remote voiceover recording has progressed as well, allowing creative directors, advertising agencies and producers to receive broadcast-quality audio while directing voiceover talent from anywhere (in a previous blog, we 5 ways to maximize voiceover sessions, which you can see here).  In order to maintain a seamless audio workflow, here are three tips for ensuring smooth remote voiceover sessions now and into the future:
 
First, ensuring a smooth remote recording session actually begins BEFORE the session.  Consider connecting with voiceover talent 10 minutes prior to the actual directed session begins to ensure connectivity issues are addressed prior to bringing the client into the remote session.  During this time, audio levels can be adjusted accordingly and connectivity will have been established before the client is introduced into the voiceover session.
 
Next, request that the voiceover talent capture the audio of the session while performing.  In other words, request “backup audio” from the voiceover talent and have it sent to you after the session as a high-quality WAV file.  Having a second recording of the entire voiceover session provides a safety net in the event that the internet is slow or “glitchy.”  During the post-production process, you can always pull from the backup audio if necessary rather than scheduling an entire new session to grab a small pickup line.  Wait – did you just save money from reading this?  Yes, my friend, indeed you did.
 
Finally, if the last couple of years have taught us anything, unforeseen interruptions can occur occasionally, both in life and in the creative process.  Obviously, every now and then, there will be a few ill-timed days when the internet may create glitches in real-time voiceover recording for unknown reasons.  When this does happen, rest-assured that there are an abundant number of viable options to direct voiceover talent remotely with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Phone, etc (and if you are interested in the ultimate time-saving voiceover directing hack, read this).   In these rare cases, the session can still proceed as planned with the voiceover talent recording the audio and taking direction via one of the aforementioned services.   After the session, the voiceover talent can simply email the whole session to you and your creative team as previously mentioned. 
 
In summary, the “new normal” of the blended home-work environment allows the creative process to take place in various locations.  To evolve with this new professional landscape, it requires advertising agencies, creative directors and video producers to work collaboratively with post-production houses and voiceover talent to ensure smooth remote recording sessions.  By maintaining flexibility, preparing beforehand and ensuring backups, the creative process can continue on from anywhere.  And since you have been kind enough to read this far, here is bonus tip – always remember – if you suspect that an audio disturbance has occurred, it is perfectly fine to ask for a safety take from the voiceover artist when the client has left the line. 
 
Hi reader, thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog.  Did you know that I offer numerous creative services in addition to voiceovers?  For instance, does your project need music mixed?  Or do you need audio synced to picture?  Maybe you need commercial or corporate copywriting or idea generation?  Let's chat!

Remember when you read an entire blog post that was created from the mind of a creative voiceover professional, and you thought ‘whoa-that’s extremely insightful and such a unique perspective?’  And then you thought ‘wow-I bet Chris Burnett brings a fresh perspective to all of his creative endeavors, even if he does type in third person sometimes?’  And then you emailed him at [email protected] so you could collaborate?  That time…that was right now.

Let's be honest - placing a "process" on creativity can be a moving target due to its subjective nature. So how does an advertising agency, video producer or creative director ensure success from voiceover talent when every session is a little bit different? Below is a simple formula to maximizing sessions regardless of the different scenarios surrounding it.

1) Give the voiceover talent the script as early as possible. 

Often times the voiceover talent receives the script immediately before beginning a session, so there is very little time to prep or read it through. For the best performance from the start, it helps to provide the script (even if it is rough) at least 15 minutes before the session. This allows the voiceover talent to have any pronunciation questions prepared while also noting any tongue-twisters before the session, and marking the script for optimal performance.

2) Begin by playing the original audio from the voiceover talent you hired.

In most cases, an advertising agency or director has hired a specific voiceover talent based on the pre-recorded demo that the voiceover talent provided. 

It is preferable to begin the session by referencing this audio so everyone has an objective place to start from in regards to tone.  At this point, as the director, you can offer early feedback on the audition that provides a road-map for both parties on how the piece should sound.  For instance, “Chris – we liked the energy and personality you brought to this particular set of lines. In the first take, can you keep that same vibe but come down at the end of the line so it sounds more like a statement?”

3) Present a brief background of the concept.

It is surprising how often a voiceover session begins and the first comment from the director is, “let’s grab a take.” Time is extremely valuable, but before hitting the record button, consider beginning with a general explanation of the tone of the piece, the campaign and the company culture. For instance, "this is a friendly, welcoming piece inviting new customers to try out this company’s new product. Their current advertising environment centers around younger audiences who are in-the-know. So we cast you because in your demo, we liked how you sounded cool, hip and spoke to the target audience." Then, let the voiceover talent hear the music or see the rough cut of the picture with the scratch track. By providing a small amount of background information, this ensures that everyone, from the advertising agency to the voiceover talent, is on the same-page when beginning.

4) Lead Your Critiques with a Compliment

Every person, regardless of their field of expertise, enjoys a compliment from a professional peer.  Voiceover talent and actors are no different. During the first take, listen closely for an opportunity to praise the actor’s performance and consider leading your critiques with a compliment. This small gesture invites the voiceover talent into the creative environment and softens future critiques. By extending a small compliment, directors can establish a safe-space for creative-play, and bring out the best in the performer.    

5) Less is More
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Performance is subjective and collaborative by nature, so voiceover perfection is in the ear of the beholder. Therefore, power is having multiple options of lines in various styles of delivery for the final presentation to the end-client. Rather than explain at-length what is needed, mention a small critique and let the voiceover talent give you variations. You can then hone-in on the target by referencing your favorite take of the variations. For instance, “Hey, Chris - can you give me an ABC of this line with a little more attitude?” Then, “those three takes were great, and my preference is C. Let’s roll another set of three in the style of C."

Here are a examples of simple, brief phrases that work well:
"Chris - that was nice - let's try it again with more of a smile throughout,"
"Great, Chris; this time let's try it more determined,"
"Wonderful read; can we go again with a slower pace on the front-half?,"
"I love the delivery. Chris, can we emphasize this word on the next one?"

By keeping brevity in the critiques and leading with a quick positive statement, it allows more time to actually record so everyone can operate from an objective piece of audio versus discussing a subjective idea of what they want. For this reason, when offering critiques and asking for alternate versions of a line, less is always more.

BONUS TIP! Did you notice the words "we" and "let's?" Collaborative words work best when offering critiques, because the best creative is a team-effort.
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Did you find this helpful? Please reach out if you have any questions you would like addressed in future articles. For more perspectives from inside the booth and creative needs, please reach out at [email protected]

Let's have a brief chat about the economics of content in today's market, because it is no secret that the "global attention span is narrowing." As the attention span of a viewer decreases, the volume of content has to increase so you still have the opportunity to catch the viewer. So how can a video production company, advertising agency, or producer shoot more content while maintaining quality?

Shoot in bulk with your Advertising Agency or Video Production Team

A simple way to gather more content quickly is to shoot the material all at once with the video production team. 
So when developing concepts, strive for concepts that play well together as a series versus stand-alone ideas. 
Then, rather than set up lights, camera, and sound for one concept, you will have a series of fleshed-out ideas that can be shot on the same day/time, maximizing your time and resources. You can then make the finals slightly different through wardrobe changes, different camera angles and lighting adjustments. Release each completed video separately on different days and boom – your advertising agency, video team and producer, look like a content-generating production machine.

Crowd-Source Concepts from your Target Audience

Content creation and idea generation can be difficult when developing ideas on a daily basis for video production. In order to navigate this challenge, reach out to your own audience for inspiration. Ask them what they would like to learn, see and consume from your advertising agency, video production team or creatives, so you can free up your creative energy for client projects and new business pitches. By simply listening and maintaining a dialogue with your target audience, you will discover content needs while simultaneously growing engagement of your followers.

Allow your Video Production Team to Edit On-The-Go

If your advertising agency is striving for quantity, a desk or stationary location will inevitably provide a barrier for your video production team, since you are required to be at that location to edit.  As an alternative to spending many late evenings editing small clips for clients and social media on Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere, download a basic editing app on your mobile phone. Quick, simple edits with royalty-free splashes of music dramatically increase editing speed because you can do it from any location - appointments, Zoom meetings, basically anywhere you find yourself waiting with downtime.  By keeping your footage in the cloud and utilizing an editing app, you can take your editing with you on-the-go. This will increase the speed of completed videos from your creative production team.

Are you looking for quality content AND lightning speed? Reach out and let's chat about your creative needs.  Audio, voiceovers, copywriting, editing, idea generation - do you have a creative idea that needs fleshed out? I can be reached at [email protected] or 213.761.8212. ChrisBurnettVoiceActor.com

When sending a longer piece of copy to voiceover talent, it is customary to not always send the whole script. Why? Because many times you will not want to listen to the entire piece from a voiceover artist, since there are many candidates submitting for one job. However, before sending the trimmed down version of your script to the talent, consider doing the following:
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Rather than arbitrarily picking a spot to the cut the copy, ensure that you are selecting a portion of the script that includes an emotional adjustment. Typical narrative pieces have a beginning, middle and end. For instance, in the commercial world, this might include a “problem and a solution,” whereas in the corporate narration world this might involve “where we have been versus where we are going.” 

​Therefore, if you would like to hear more engaging reads from talent, you must ensure that the copy has at least two emotional points in the trimmed-down version. 

By keeping at least one emotional adjustment in your script, you have an objective moment in which you can note a transitional tone from the voiceover artist. Not only will you hear more nuanced performances in the auditioning process, but you will also arrive at your session with confidence that the talent can interpret the longer version of the copy. 

If you have questions regarding your next project, please reach out.
[email protected]
213.761.8212
ChrisBurnettVoiceActor.com

As creatives, we may not always be communicating with clients that work in a similar space. For instance, as a voiceover talent, I may voice an internal piece and take direction from an HR representative, and this individual may not be accustomed to communicating tone and direction to voiceover talent. Therefore, it is important to meet your client in familiar territory.  
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Are you struggling to understand a client's desired tone? Rather than asking the client how they would like the project to look and sound, consider asking about the company culture.  
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Usually, the culture within a company is reflected throughout the branding, both internally and externally. By having your client describe their company culture to you, they are effectively communicating the tone and style of the messaging. 

For instance, if the company offers a relaxed, remote working environment and encourages casual dress, their messaging is typically delivered to the audience in the same manner. Alternatively, if a company operates from a fun, creative, personality-driven space, then the messaging will more-often-than-not reflect the entertaining, quirky nature of its employees.

In short, communicating a project’s intended tone can be a tricky task for individual's outside the creative field. However, by having the creative team clearly understand the core values and culture of your client's company, you can easily grasp the style and honor this in your content. For several examples of different “styles” of corporate e-learning narration projects, please visit ChrisBurnettVoiceActor.com/elearning
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 If you have questions regarding your project, please do not hesitate to reach out.
[email protected]
213.761.8212
​ChrisBurnettVoiceActor.com