VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

Recently, I had an interesting commercial session with a new client. After a couple takes of a four paragraph spot, they asked me to read the spot in reverse; paragraph 4, then 3,2 and finally 1. "Sure, no prob." I did it without even hinting this was new to me. Next, they asked for a read in the order of 3, 1, 4, 2. "Got it" was my response. (In the back of my mind was Banksey repeating "It's not about me.") I did what they requested and finished the session with compliments from the producer. In my years, I have never had a director ask me to do this and am curious as the reasoning behind the direction. Has anyone else run into this?

(EDIT) Also, the spot was a conversational, stream of consciousness piece.

Bruce · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:34 am Post subject:

I can take a guess at the producer's reasoning. In real "stream of consciousness" speaking one is grabbing thoughts out of the air as they come floating by. We should hear that process and it might sound like the sudden shifting of mental gears. By recording sections of the commercial out of order and then putting them back in order they may have been trying to recreate that feeling.

Actors practice/do stream of consciousness delivery all the time. It gives a lot of realism to our performances because that's often how we all converse in real life.

B
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Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:38 am Post subject:

verrrry interesting! our dear amy snively (who is still recuperating, btw) told me she often rereads the first few para of narration projects after she's completed the script. this way, the intro sounds much better, livelier, and more matching with the rest.

but ... this probably has nothing to do with your director's intentions. nonetheless, how fun! and, i presume they loved you, dan-o!
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Moe Egan · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:51 am Post subject:

I do that too! For narrations, you get into the groove of the read after a few paragraphs. I love the term Connie has for it "Voice Over Zen"...you get into that perfect head space, the words just flow, ya know?

Well...takes a smidge to get there, so I usually go right back and re-read the first page immediately while in that space, so the narration is much smoother all the way through. See, Diane, all the cool kids are doin it cool

(oops, now I'm gonna get it after school!)
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bobsouer · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:58 am Post subject:

Moe,

And even some of us who aren't so cool. Re-reading the first page of a longer narration is something I've been doing for a while too.
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Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:00 am Post subject:

clearly, i am SO late to the voiceover zen party, but i will implement it. today, in fact. session at 1. long script. sacks.
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Don G. · King's Row Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: MA

Moe (and the others) have it right. When I was producing and directing more than VO-ing, we used to do that as a matter of course. It was most helpful for the less experienced talent, but even the pros took to it, as they realized it often helped them with consistency once they "locked in" to the read.

Lizden · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:24 am Post subject:

Hey 'pinto,
Apparently I'm as late as you are!
...but now that I'm in the know, I shall do the same!
Cool, I love learning something first thing in the morning!

Liz
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Moe Egan · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:34 am Post subject:

TheVoiceOfBob · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:36 am Post subject:

bobsouer · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:41 am Post subject:

Lizden · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:44 am Post subject:

Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

Bruce, you are probably correct in your assumption. I never did get to hear the final spot. But, if you're interested, here is the audition that landed me the job.

As for the narration part of this discussion; try reading the last few paragraph's of the narration first. Then go back to the beginning. Usually, the last few will give you the correct vibe for the entire project.

Thanks all!

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:47 pm Post subject:

great audition, great advice, dan.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. i yawned all the way through. Wink

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BenWils · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:43 pm Post subject:

Whiz Kid....you need a Pepsi Max!!!

Nice read....you drew me in and...uh...made me yawn...in a good way. Promise.