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How Do You Do Non-Announcery with Announcery Copy?

October 30th, 2008 Posted in General Info, Voice Over Instruction

The other day I got an email from my agent requesting a second read for an audition I did a few days before. Seems the client liked my voice but needed me to be more conversational. It’s always great to be requested for an audition.

As I did my redo audition, trying to sound non-announcery, I started to wonder, How do we sound non-announcery/real person/conversational with announcery copy?

Maybe it’s my own challenges as a voice actor to sound more like myself and less like a smooth promo sounding announcer. After all, it is our job as voice talent to overcome these hurdles.

Here’s what I came up with.

1. Throw away the punctuation

2. Or at least pay less attention to it.

3. Speed up in places, vary the inflections.

4. And of course BE that friend talking to a friend.

Personally, I have a hard time trying to sound like a friend when I’m selling shampoo, cough syrup or any number of products.

Voice actors! What is YOUR strategy of ridding yourself of the announcer within? Got any advice? A few tips for ridding yourself of the announcer within?

Share your thoughts with us!

FYI- Haven’t heard if I got the gig. Stay tuned.

-Tracy Pattin

  1. 6 Responses to “How Do You Do Non-Announcery with Announcery Copy?”

  2. By Peter O'Connell on Oct 31, 2008

    Tracy:

    The simplest trick I know is to have a picture of a friend or family member in your booth with you. This would be a person with whom you speak on a regular and very familar basis.

    Take the time during one of those real conversations to think about or record how you sound.

    Build from there.

    Best always,
    - Peter

  3. By Tom Dheere on Oct 31, 2008

    Breathe, smile, and don’t get caught up listening to how rich & creamy you sound!

  4. By Tracy Pattin on Nov 1, 2008

    Thanks Peter.
    Love that idea. I’ll try it out.

  5. By Tracy Pattin on Nov 3, 2008

    Thanks Tom! Love this!

  6. By Dan Nachtrab on Nov 3, 2008

    You might be over thinking this one. Simply, scratch out the word “Announcer” and write in “Tracy.”

    Works every time.

    Be well,

    Dan

  7. By Tracy Pattin on Nov 4, 2008

    Thanks Dan! LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Stay tuned for an upcoming blog quoting you.

    Keep coming back and commenting.
    Tracy

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