0628 – Voice Over Guide Tracks

2022.09.20 - 0628 – Voice-Over Guide Tracks

Guide Track

In some circumstances, a ‘dummy track’ of someone else reading the voice-over script may already have been recorded before you go into a studio.

This is usually done on fast and tightly-edited video productions (think movie trails or promo videos) but may also be on audio creatives, again where there are lots of elements.

It’s done so the editors can help shape the item in pre-production, sequencing the different clips together, with a clear idea of the overall pace, flow and timings after the final voice-over has been added.

It’s also an audio guide for you alongside the visuals, so you can understand the intention behind the edit, and better know what you say and when:

·        Where you start reading…

·        and where you stop

·        The time you have for each phrase…[1]

·        before you need to hit a ‘post’[2]

·        What is happening on the screen at that moment so you can match the energy

·        What your voice is reacting to or leading to

·        The overall pace and tone of the production…

all of which will inform your read.

As with talking over music, which we looked at before, your presentation style will be affected by the script, the visuals and the music or other audio elements.

[1] Often with such productions, the script is simply a single sentence, or a collection of phrases, that’s broken up with the audio: “Alone / in the middle of the ocean / where even the sharks are afraid / a row boat, with a man / a tiger / and trouble on the horizon”. If you have, say, 4 seconds in which to deliver 2 seconds of script, the director will advise whether they want you a) slow down and fill that entire duration b) speak in the middle 2 seconds c) start immediately and leave 2 seconds’ gap at the end d) start after 2 seconds and talk to the start of the audio clip.

[2] Post: a stab of music, a change in musical tone, possibly even a drum beat or the start of vocals; any other audio punctuation such as a cry, gunshot, statement, exclamation.

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