We are all familiar with Voice Over ads or descriptions; but, it may be fair to say that the majority of us do not see them as intrusive or distracting. In fact some of us are not really aware of them. When you watch TV or listen to the radio we often will hear an advertisement about a product done is a smooth voice. Most of the better voice over ads are in fact presented to give the aura of someone speaking to an individual.It is an art form that is actually a very lucrative part of the PR world. Estimates of up to $2 Billion a year are invested in Voice Over production. The people who are the "voices" are often referred to as, "Voice Talent". And talent they are. It is a subtle but skilled form of acting. Next time you hear a voice over ad take a moment to consider what was said and how. A product for a woman's fashion voice over will likely have a sophisticated and
de rigueur feminine touch. The guy selling tickets to the stock car races, less so. In fact he will be likely portray a macho; but, enthusiastic male who wants to share the fun he derives from such an event.
There are agencies, voice over talent and individual agents pairing people up to projects. Some voice over actors can make into the six figures. There are a couple of large agencies that enroll prospective voice talent for a given fee. They promote their agencies and prospective clients will approach them with a proposal for an ad. The role of the agency is to match talent to clients. One large agency in Canada has over 120,000 talent voice over personnel. Voice talent receive daily audition requests.
There was a time when all voice over work was done in studios. As a result several cities in North America became the central areas of this industry. New York Los Angeles and Toronto were three such centers. Now, with the growth of affordable and reliable computers the voice industry is moving to individual home studios. Voice talent can join online agencies, get on-line audition applications, produce and deliver the audition by uploading it online... all from home.
Today clients can search and find talent internationally. Agencies with strong reputations can now promote their potential to clients and voice talent on a world wide scale. It is a major but not fully recognized area in which world wide communications are changing how we interact.
By chance I recently discovered the world of voice over acting. It is most commonly used as an advertising medium. On radio one can hear voice over ads between programs and music. On TV it occupies a similar role with the addition of video content. And increasingly our internet world is welcoming voice over actors to promote anything from travel to new programs. As well voice over talent are narrators and play roles in video games and productions. It is a fascinating field with very creative people. And with the increasing sophistication and power of the internet voice actors can be continents apart and deliver exciting interactions.
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