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VOICE ACTING
Can They Hear Your Voice Smile?
If Not, Create A Happy Character

December 1, 2014

By 'VO Chef' Deb Munro

Voice Talent & Coach

Recipe for Putting A Smile In Your Voice:
  • One commercial script
  • One Studio
  • One Voice Talent
  • One bright and happy smile  
Combining all these key ingredients usually makes the best commercial read recipe. 

Many additional ingredients are needed to perfect the commercial recipe, but blending these elements is a terrific start.

Not all commercials need a bright smile, but most do. Not only a bright smile, but also a warm hug in your voice. 

You might not understand what I mean by this, but when you put a genuine smile and natural warmth or hug to certain parts of the copy, a certain energy and texture comes to the voice and you will stand out amongst some of the best. 

Interestingly enough, when I took broadcasting training, we were taught to put on a huge smile in order to evoke energy in the copy - however we weren’t taught to add meaning to what we said. 

CREATE HAPPY CHARACTER

You will hear constantly - non-announcer! - but don’t assume that means no smile or low energy.

Most commercials today have a natural feel of smile to them, but you might be surprised to know how much smile you have to put on, in order for it to be heard.

If you have low- to medium-low energy, being bright and smiley is not natural for you. What to do? Create a character that is smiley and bright. 

When you are selling products, you need to LOVE the product the same way the client does, whether you do or not! If you created a product that you truly believed in, you would convey genuine excitement when telling others about it. If not, it wouldn't sell. 

Note: people are easily conned when the person doing the conning puts on a contagious energy that makes you feel you must have that product.   

Selling products is supposed to be a happy experience, not negative, so create happy characters - but truly feel happy and excited about what you are saying. A fake smile and fake happiness will indeed sound fake.

Give it a try and enjoy the results!  
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ABOUT DEB

Based near Toronto, Deb Munro is a leading and award-winning voice talent and coach, and a 2014 Voice Arts Awards winner for Outstanding Commercial Demo Real, Best Female Voice. She offers private voice over coaching by phone and Skype, and workshops on voice acting, business and demo prep in many Canadian cities.

Email: deb@debsvoice.com
Web: www.debsvoice.com


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