Voice Acting: What Can You Learn From BAD Voice-Overs? Plenty -With These Examples, by Joe Thomas
Voice Actor
There’s a lot of bad voice-over on TV.
But rather than just cursing at the screen, I decided to turn my pet peeves into a learning experience.
Below are a variety of terrible voice over performances, and the lesson that each can provide.
1. EmPHAsis on the Wrong SylLAble (or Word)
Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but a lot of this problem seems to
happen in medical commercials. I’ve even seen some commercials that
were re-cut because the problem was so glaring& only to have some other
problem in the new version.
happen in medical commercials. I’ve even seen some commercials that
were re-cut because the problem was so glaring& only to have some other
problem in the new version.
Here’s a few examples and why they’re wrong:
- INcreased risk (this should have an even emphasis over the entire phrase: “increased risk”)
- Routine lab MONITORING (“Lab Monitoring” is routine. The lab is not.)
- Upper respiratory TRACT infection (similar to the prior. You have an “Upper-Respiratory-Tract”, and it has an infection.)
- I have ASSmah (Not sure why you’d pronounce asthma this way. Just wrong.)
- Gr-EASY (Greasy rhymes with “Fleecy”. It’s not pronounced like “easy”.)
Lesson: Be certain of your word pronunciation and phrase emphasis.
2. Amateur Hour
For many local businesses, politicians and public service spots, “real
people” record the spots themselves. I get it. Money’s tight, and
professionals are expensive.
people” record the spots themselves. I get it. Money’s tight, and
professionals are expensive.
But they might be “Penny Wise, and Pound
Foolish” in the long run.
Foolish” in the long run.
When “real people” (ie. Amateurs) speak on camera, they’re often not
the same as in real life. The microphone and camera can be intimidating
if you’re not used to them. This tends to bring out odd qualities in
folks. Primarily, it’s a flatter tone, lower energy (or worse: pushed
excitement).
the same as in real life. The microphone and camera can be intimidating
if you’re not used to them. This tends to bring out odd qualities in
folks. Primarily, it’s a flatter tone, lower energy (or worse: pushed
excitement).
Here’s a couple examples:
- ENtroducing (the word is “INtroducing”)
- I could lift mah son& high over my head& again (no need for all those odd pauses)
- I COULD LEAVE AGAIN!!! (too much excitement. And it’s “Live” not “Leave”. Watch that accent)
- The best smahl in mah lahhff. (Accent. Again. It’s “The best smile in my life.”)
- Even fahr guys dat don like ta cahk! (fake excitement. Should be “for guys that don’t like to cook.”)
Lesson: You can actually pick up some excellent accents
and regionalisms from watching “real people”& just be sure you don’t
pick up their low energy or fake excitement.
and regionalisms from watching “real people”& just be sure you don’t
pick up their low energy or fake excitement.
3. Product Misplacement
The most important thing in most commercials is the company or product
name. Yet in some, they are mispronounced. Odd how that can make it past
so many approval layers, and yet& There it is.
name. Yet in some, they are mispronounced. Odd how that can make it past
so many approval layers, and yet& There it is.
In some cases, it may be due to having different pronunciations in
different countries. Car brands Hyundai and Jaguar are prime example.
Other brands may have names that are unfamiliar or spelled in odd ways such as Xfinity or Ghirardelli.
different countries. Car brands Hyundai and Jaguar are prime example.
Other brands may have names that are unfamiliar or spelled in odd ways such as Xfinity or Ghirardelli.
Lesson: Take the time to research the correct
pronunciations when you audition. If there are still doubts, ask your
agent. And in sessions, listen carefully and defer to the client’s
pronunciation.
pronunciations when you audition. If there are still doubts, ask your
agent. And in sessions, listen carefully and defer to the client’s
pronunciation.
4. Vile Vocals
It’s like fingernails on a chalk board: Vocal Fry. Bad Singing. Missing
letters (“buh-uh” instead of “button”). Slurred speech. Mumbling.
Over-Articulation.
letters (“buh-uh” instead of “button”). Slurred speech. Mumbling.
Over-Articulation.
Few of us get coaching when we first learn to speak. Just learning a
language can be a monumental task for a child. However, when you choose
to speak as a part of your career, it needs to be one of your
priorities.
language can be a monumental task for a child. However, when you choose
to speak as a part of your career, it needs to be one of your
priorities.
Lesson: Proper diction is essential to good voice-over
work. Consult with a speech coach and address any issues that may hamper
your future success.
work. Consult with a speech coach and address any issues that may hamper
your future success.
5. Wanna Be Voices
Cartoons were a big part of my childhood. Anime characters also have a
very loyal fan base. I’d watch, laugh, memorize and imitate the voices.
Lots of kids do that. It’s fun, and sometimes you can get a laugh from
your friends, or when you’re older, the people at a party.
very loyal fan base. I’d watch, laugh, memorize and imitate the voices.
Lots of kids do that. It’s fun, and sometimes you can get a laugh from
your friends, or when you’re older, the people at a party.
However, it’s a gigantic step from having fun imitating voices to a career in voice-over.
With cheap microphones and easy access to editing software, it’s
become very common for people to make their own videos for YouTube, and think that that’s the way to break into Cartoons and Anime.
become very common for people to make their own videos for YouTube, and think that that’s the way to break into Cartoons and Anime.
Please don’t misunderstand. I’m definitely not talking about audio
drama. I’m with several stellar groups, and there are many fine actors
who contribute their time and talents to create compelling stories. But
they have put in the effort to be trained on stage, or have taken
classes or been coached.
drama. I’m with several stellar groups, and there are many fine actors
who contribute their time and talents to create compelling stories. But
they have put in the effort to be trained on stage, or have taken
classes or been coached.
Lesson: We all start somewhere. For many people, that
may be imitating voices they admire. But a voice-over career takes a lot
more than just mimicry. Do yourselves a favor and get training in
acting, improv and singing. Perform for live audiences. Get direction
and coaching. If you wanna get the jobs, you gotta put in the work.
may be imitating voices they admire. But a voice-over career takes a lot
more than just mimicry. Do yourselves a favor and get training in
acting, improv and singing. Perform for live audiences. Get direction
and coaching. If you wanna get the jobs, you gotta put in the work.
So, the next time you hear some really bad VO, step back and take the
time to see why it bothers you. It may alter the way you approach your
own auditions and performances.
time to see why it bothers you. It may alter the way you approach your
own auditions and performances.
——————
ABOUT JOE
Joe J. Thomas is a Los Angeles-based voice actor working in games,
animation, dubbing and commercials. If you’ve played an online game in
the last decade, you’ve probably killed him. He also writes a weekly creative
blog called Joe’s Dump.
animation, dubbing and commercials. If you’ve played an online game in
the last decade, you’ve probably killed him. He also writes a weekly creative
blog called Joe’s Dump.
Email: JoeActor@gmail.com
Web: www.JoeActor.com
Blog: www.JoesDump.com