Scripts, copy, words – whatever you call the information or
concepts you are essentially going to narrate or tell a story. Our voiceover
artists are such pros when they read copy but even with the best voices in the
world some words can be tricky to say out loud.
However, what do you do when you get a difficult script or
rather a tricky script to deal with? Firstly, what is tricky? In many cases the
scripts are tricky simply because someone who wrote it, wrote it for the visual
element i.e. to be read internally rather than to be heard externally.
In this
case, this is tricky because they haven’t appreciated the differences of the
written and spoken word and how they differ. Length and timing, grouping words
together so they (words and concepts) don’t get bogged down and muddy.
As a first port of call, ask the client to
clarify. They may not have realised and they may appreciate it when you do ask.
This is also helpful if you sense that some of the figures or concepts in some
texts are incorrect. If in doubt, shout.
Sometimes text is tricky because of the subject. Medical,
finance and specialised material can often deal with names and concepts that
are involved and convoluted. Again, check with the client especially with pronunciations
of words and ideas as well as appreciations and other areas.
At times texts can be filled with a whole list of names and
sometimes they can be in other languages. For example, at awards ceremonies you
could be the voice of God and so you need to enunciate various names. So again,
ask someone and as a VOG you are quite within your rights to ask for either a
written or audio guide.
Again, text can simply not make sense and the client signs it
off and you read it anyway. If so then go for it, depending on the application
of the audio, it may make sense at the end. And if in doubt, offer to record an
alternative so they have options later on.
Next time you face a tricky script get on of our voiceovers to
record.
