"In a world where violence has become ordinary..."

You read that in the voice of Don LaFontaine, didn't you? You might not know his name, but you've heard him set the scene for countless movie trailers. Although he passed away in 2008, his legacy as one of the most famous voice over talents remains.

What is a voice over? Why are they used? Do you need to hire voice over talent? Keep reading for answers to all these questions!

What Is a Voice Over?

Voice overs are found in movies, documentaries, TV shows, video games, and any other type of video content. Essentially, voice overs are the narration or dialogue that viewers can hear, but that isn't spoken by a person that can be seen onscreen. Voice overs also refer to content like radio advertisements, GPS systems, pre-recorded messages or public announcements, and smartphone apps.

A voice over almost always involves a script. The talent reads from that script and uses his or her talents to interpret the meaning of the words in a way that is befitting the content it is being used to illustrate.

Tone and Style of a Voice Over

You might think that being a voice over artist would be a pretty cushy job. Getting paid just for reading some words off a piece of paper, and you don't even have to put on makeup or a costume sure sounds like easy money, doesn't it?

In reality, there's a lot more to it than that. Yes, a clear speaking voice is necessary, but it's just the tip of the iceberg.

Voice overs are used for a wide range of programs and purposes. So they will take on a different tone, or require a different voice altogether, depending on the content for which they are being used.

A documentary about the Holocaust, for example, will require a very different type of voice over than a radio commercial for a new line of fast-food breakfast sandwiches. An actor who provides the voice for a cartoon giraffe will naturally use a very different type of voice than if she had been hired to voice an instructional video about changing a car's oil.

A successful voice over artist will be able to perform multiple accents and dialects. She or he will also be able to adapt to convey the particular message or emotion of the video content. 

Should You Hire a Voice Over Actor?

If you run a small- to medium-sized business and are looking to make your advertisements more effective, a voice over actor may be just the ticket.

The truth is that their work is simply going to sound more polished and professional than just getting Cindy from Accounting to read your script. That is true even if they are not delivering their lines in a difficult accent.

Have questions? Want to hear samples of some of the talent we offer, so that you have a better idea of what is a voice over? Get in touch with us today!