Viable to specialize in dry voice and farm out production/special effects?

Allan J K · 05-28-2008, 07:53 AM

Hello,

Thanks for any insight you may have in this area.

I'm a former broadcaster returning to the voiceover field after a number of years. While I was on-air, all of the engineering/technical aspects were handled by specialists in those areas, leaving me free to concentrate on delivery, on-air creativity, etc.

Is it feasible or common in today's VO industry for voiceover talent with strong deliveries/vocal skill to essentially specialize in the dry voice product only and then, as required, to electronically transmit the file to a skilled production specialist at an offsite studio for the necessary enhancements, special effects, etc...or does that tend to dip too much into the voice talent's fee?

I've always believed that specialists' collaboration leads to the best end product...but realize that there could be economic considerations in this particular field/scenario.

Again, thank you for your time and your opinion.

Sincerely,
Allan

jsgilbert · 05-28-2008, 12:07 PM

Not just feasable, but still considered the norm. 95% of my voice work either has me going to a studio and reading a script and leaving or working from my home studio, reading a script and simply editing the takes the client wants and uploading them to an FTP. Ocassionally the client will just ask me to send them the entire file and not ask me to pull good takes.

Considering all that today's voice actor is expecterd to do and know, it's difficult enough to be the talent, engineer and director. Many, many aspiring voice actors have shortcomings becuase whilethey are not trained engineers, they still want to screw around with all of the nifty tools that come with their recording software. This may work ocassionally as in setting a constant level for de-essing or slight compression or limiting, but in the end applying effects and processes can create an inferior product and hurt your chances of booking work.

This becomes apparent when I receive auditions from some of the talent who have been in broadcasting production for many years as they will often compress their recordings to remove so much of the dynamics that the life and brightness is gone from their recordings. It's one thing to do this as a function of putting something on air, but in my opinion, totally overused for delivering final recordings and certainly unwarranted in most audition situations.

You are wise to try and simplify the process.

Good Luck.

billelder · 05-28-2008, 03:58 PM

Allan,

Yes it is. I just do voiceovers and have for almost 8 years. For two clients in my home state I'll add music. But, frankly, all of my other clients don't want me doing that. They have their own "people" and don't want to lose that control.

Best to you!

05-28-2008, 07:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
Allan J K User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 7	Viable to specialize in dry voice and farm out production/special effects? Hello, Thanks for any insight you may have in this area. I'm a former broadcaster returning to the voiceover field after a number of years. While I was on-air, all of the engineering/technical aspects were handled by specialists in those areas, leaving me free to concentrate on delivery, on-air creativity, etc. Is it feasible or common in today's VO industry for voiceover talent with strong deliveries/vocal skill to essentially specialize in the dry voice product only and then, as required, to electronically transmit the file to a skilled production specialist at an offsite studio for the necessary enhancements, special effects, etc...or does that tend to dip too much into the voice talent's fee? I've always believed that specialists' collaboration leads to the best end product...but realize that there could be economic considerations in this particular field/scenario. Again, thank you for your time and your opinion. Sincerely, Allan

05-28-2008, 03:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
billelder Member FDIC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 138	Allan, Yes it is. I just do voiceovers and have for almost 8 years. For two clients in my home state I'll add music. But, frankly, all of my other clients don't want me doing that. They have their own "people" and don't want to lose that control. Best to you! __________________ Bill Elder Voiceovers

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05-28-2008, 12:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
jsgilbert jsgilbert Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 840	Not just feasable, but still considered the norm. 95% of my voice work either has me going to a studio and reading a script and leaving or working from my home studio, reading a script and simply editing the takes the client wants and uploading them to an FTP. Ocassionally the client will just ask me to send them the entire file and not ask me to pull good takes. Considering all that today's voice actor is expecterd to do and know, it's difficult enough to be the talent, engineer and director. Many, many aspiring voice actors have shortcomings becuase whilethey are not trained engineers, they still want to screw around with all of the nifty tools that come with their recording software. This may work ocassionally as in setting a constant level for de-essing or slight compression or limiting, but in the end applying effects and processes can create an inferior product and hurt your chances of booking work. This becomes apparent when I receive auditions from some of the talent who have been in broadcasting production for many years as they will often compress their recordings to remove so much of the dynamics that the life and brightness is gone from their recordings. It's one thing to do this as a function of putting something on air, but in my opinion, totally overused for delivering final recordings and certainly unwarranted in most audition situations. You are wise to try and simplify the process. Good Luck.