Script Samples

[Bob Jorgensen]

Is there a website where I can see/use commercial scripts to practice with? I'm probably dreaming that something like this might be free or cheap?

[jsgilbert]

Bob - they do exist, but why not go to youtube or many other sights where award winning commercials and other audio examples can be found. Then it is a simple matter of transcribing the audio into a written script and this gives you the benefit of seeing how you might compare with the actual talent or to understand the pacing, inflection, attitude, etc. that they used.

If you have any Ad agencies in your area opr talent agents, you might see if they would be willing to give you some old scripts. Many are happy to have someone take a box of old paper off their hands.


You can also find practice scripts in many of the existing v.o. books. And there ae a number of excellent books on copywriting for internet or commecials or even on writing for video games. These books give you the advantage of having the copy broken down for you from the perspective of the writer. Some good titles include The Copywriters Handbook and Teach Yourself Copywriting

[Bob Jorgensen]

Excellent. Thank you.

[Colin Campbell]

Magazine ad copy.

[Dave DeAndrea]

Here's a great resource for practice scripts:

practive voice over scripts, demo voice over scripts, voice over scripts download (http://www.edgestudio.com/scripts.htm)

[Mike Sommer]

Try this site too

Voice Over Copy (http://www.timpowell.tv/scripts.html)

[jsgilbert]

however, if you're working in a vacuum, you may wind up practicing and reinforcing "bad" things. If you just grab copy from a website that has scripts, it may not be very helpful. Also magazine copy is or at least should be written differently from braodcast copy. Picking a few lines here and there off of a magazine ad can work for creating something for a demo.

This is why I recommend existing ads, where you can hear what it was supposed to sound like as well as copywriting books whihc at least offer copy breakdown from the wirters perspective.

[Mike Sommer]

I will agree that one could develop bad habits if one has not been schooled in voice acting, and if you're not recording and listening to your reads. But I also believe practice reading scripts is about discovery and interpreting the written word. For the most part the copy will tell you how it's meant to be read. The best thing to do is take a script and read it with true sincerity and conviction.

Just because a particular ad ended up the way it did, does not always mean that is the only interpretation.

[Joe Rodriguez]

Is there a website where I can see/use commercial scripts to practice with? I'm probably dreaming that something like this might be free or cheap?

Free scripts from Edge Studio (http://www.edgestudio.com/scripts.htm)

[jsgilbert]

Mike,

While I understand what you are saying here, I have to say that I am falling back on numerous ediucational studies that I have been part of and that I was working with a undiversity until finding was cut off to help develop best case scenairos for instituting voiceover studies into drama degree programs and communication degree programs.

Simply put, many of the people here are at a very early phase of learning which could be explained as "I don't know what I don't know." SOme have gone on to the "I know what I don't know"

JUst a few years ago, actors doing voiceover had the benefit of auditioning for the clients directly and also casting directors, whihc presented tremendous feedback and potential for growth and learning. Later this move into reading at the talent agent, again where you received immediate feedback, correction and suggestion.

I simply must disagree with you that grabbing a script and reading it will develop essential skills. If the act5or is clear as to how to work microphone, then they may reinforce positive technical skills for working on mic. Most do not and will reinforce skills that will cuase them to wander off mic, be plosive, too proximate, etc.

Interpreting copy is also rather tricky and it's why many auditions from trained, working actors aren't always that good.

Sorry, but this is a tough racket and aspects of how the industry keep changing tend it to become a tougher racket every day.

You also make the assumption that "if one has been schooled in voice acting". Acting, the teaching of said acting and the interpreting of the acting skills as they pertain to working in front of a microphone are all food for much lengthier debates.

However, the voice talent that work the most generally represent professionally trained actors and most have little training from "voice teachers". Standard acting and improvisational acting work very well.

[Mike Sommer]

I don't disagree.

[Bob Jorgensen]

I'm glad I could spark a discussion that didn't involve, "why did you let Bob join in the first place?"

Again, thanks for all the info.

[Mike Sommer]

I would rather offer encouragement rather then pessimism. Though there is a reality factor that comes into play, where by reading a few scripts does not make one a voice actor-- it's just means you've read a few scripts. It takes hard work, dedication and tutelage form competent instructors.

As I tell everyone, if you want to do something, quit talking about it and do it.