Terminology - Dry Read and Watermark

[kbachelder]

Hi everyone,

Certified newbie here so I'd like to start understanding some of the terminology I see used frequently.

Here are two phrases I could use your help on...


"dry read"

"don't watermark"


Thanks for the help,

Kevin

[EdGambill]

Kevin

Dry Read; A narrative read of any length that usually contains the voice of one person and is delivered by some means other than ISDN. Typically the file is recorded, edited and delivered as a Monophonic file. No musical bed or background sound effects are added. The voice artist may at the request of the client edit the raw (the total read) recording/audio file to remove any parts not needed for the finished work. If breaths need to be suppressed, the best method is to first use the volume control to reduce the noticeable breath to about -16 db or possibly more. When cutting breath it is considered a best practice to cut no more than 2/3s of the breath that was first diminished in volume. Being careful to not cut too close to the end or beginning of usable audio. Leaving a bit of tail and head of the breath wave allows the production company the ability to use fade in our out as needed to smooth any transition problems caused by cutting out the middle of the breath wave. To enable the production house the flexibility to massage the sound file to meet the needs of the finished project, the “Dry Read” is delivered without any processing of any kind. This means that No EQ, Compression, reverb or any other effect is applied to the audio file. As a final check insure that the file is at or about -6db overall and that no clipping has happened to the file. As a common practice 192 KHz sampling rate for MP3 is sufficient for most audio delivery by e-mail. Some my request a higher sample rate or another compression method other than MP3

Watermark; A means to render an audition file unusable. For audio files watermarks will be tones or other background sound mixed into the finished audition file. The range of frequency and the volume of the watermark will determine if it is grossly objectionable to the average listener. Some clients object to watermarks and request that they not be used. Other means to prevent improper use of an audition file can be used instead of watermarks. One method is to truncate (shorten) the audition script, or to change the name of any establishment or phone number that is include in the audition script. From time to time unscrupulous clients will use audition with out paying the fee for use. Watermarks, Truncating or Changing an audition is the only method readily available to VO artist to prevent this. The read you furnish either for audition or for use is your property, it up to you to protect it as much as you want to.

I know this is long but I don’t know what information you already have. I hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you have any additional questions.

[Jon Robbins]

Hi Kevin! Watermarking is an interesting conversation and usually is only required when you don't "know" who you are auditioning for. In most circles it is considered rude or an implication that you lack trust in the entity you are auditioning for. Auditions are just that...auditions. Is there any watermarking that goes on at a LIVE audition? None that I am aware of. Again, one person's opinion, auditions do not need to be perfect or even complete (entire script) but they do need to reflect what you are capable of in terms of style, type, vocal quality, presentation etc. The easiest thing to do if you feel that you must is to simply drop key words in the copy or just do a partial of what is being requested. IMHO auditions sent via mp3 should never go longer than 30 seconds...that should be sufficient to show what you are capable of. My 2 cents...happy trails! 8)

[kbachelder]

Thank you Ed and Jon.

Your replies were very helpful and much appreciated.


Kevin

[Julie Williams]

Just an FYI... I know a lot of talent watermark, but I don't hire them.

I find watermarks very distracting. If talent are overly concerned that I'll steal their audition they don't have to record the entire script. That's what I do. I've had talent watermark auditions when I gave them one paragraph of a 15 minute presentation. All it did was 1) insult, and 2) distract. Am I supposed to present my client with that?

Dry voice is also called "cold voice"

At the same time, to "read it cold" is to read it without having seen the copy before... like "sight reading" in music.

[kbachelder]

Originally Posted by Julie Williams

Just an FYI... I know a lot of talent watermark, but I don't hire them.

I find watermarks very distracting. If talent are overly concerned that I'll steal their audition they don't have to record the entire script. That's what I do. I've had talent watermark auditions when I gave them one paragraph of a 15 minute presentation. All it did was 1) insult, and 2) distract. Am I supposed to present my client with that?

Dry voice is also called "cold voice"

At the same time, to "read it cold" is to read it without having seen the copy before... like "sight reading" in music.

As always thanks very much for the help Julie.

Kevin