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VOICE ACTING
Artificial Intelligence will never be a match for a good storyteller. Considering the growing threat of Artificial Intelligence in our industry, I am concerned about the future of the business. As AI becomes more accurate in replicating voices, it seems that opportunities for voice over jobs are shrinking. It's important, however, to remember one thing: NO ARTIFICIAL VOICE CAN MATCH EVERY NUANCE, EMOTION, TONE, PITCH AND PROJECTION, MOMENT BY MOMENT, OF THE HUMAN VOICE. And, as it happens, all these vocal dynamics are enlisted by real narrators in the successful telling of a story. Quite simply, the one thing a narrator can do that AI cannot is to tell the listener how they feel. This is why I am focusing my attention these days on narration, where there is a strong need for the full spectrum of human emotions. This is especially true in the field of audiobooks. ONLY HUMANS CAN TELL A STORY Sure, an AI voice may be sufficient for a corporate video, a product demonstration or perhaps even a training program (I assume the pittance that voice talent make for this work is just too much for the budget). But only a human can tell a story. It’s most obvious in works of fiction, where every character – including the narrator – has a particular personality, background, history, relationship and purpose in the story. In representing each of these characters, your job is to convince the listener that they know what the character is feeling, not just what they are saying. That requires an understanding of the many ways there are of expressing ourselves. It results in no two sentences sounding quite the same. Try to get that from an AI voice! I’m not just talking about fiction, though. Most non-fiction titles require a narrator who understands the author’s point of view so thoroughly that they feel the way the author feels about what they’re saying. SO HOW DO YOU FEEL? When you have a conversation with someone, what’s the first thing they notice about you? Most people would agree that they notice how you feel. Are you happy? Angry? Sad? Worried? Fearful? Excited? People interpret what you say based on the vibes they pick up from you. We can use this knowledge in the way we narrate. The mastery of narration is in noticing the feelings of each character – or of the author in non-fiction – and to apply them to ourselves. We ask, “What experiences have I had which have caused similar feelings?”
For most of us, we can relate to how others feel by recalling when we felt that way. Fortunately, many clients still understand this. They know there’s a big difference between “faking it” and “feeling it.” Your audience will know the difference. And, ultimately, isn’t that why you’re a narrator? To touch them with your voice in a way that they can deeply, personally relate to. Moment to moment, from start to finish. If you want to be an AI-proof narrator, listen again to your favorite audiobook. You’ll notice that at no time, in any way, is the narrator’s voice the same. Word by word, the narrator follows the feelings of the story. Do you hear that when you hear your own narration? Be that kind of storyteller. Trust your feelings. Speak from your heart. It’s something no artificial program can do now – or ever. Email: james@jamesconlan.com |
By James Conlan
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