Voiceovers And Reading Commercial Copy

Reading commercial copy is one of the most basic skills in the voiceover industry. What a better way to hone said skills than at an Open Mic Night!

There were 16 eager voice talent (mostly new to the profession) and we got to play!

Everyone got a chance to read. They did two takes which were recorded and sent to them after the session.

Everyone was encouraged to give feedback and some wonderful insights were shared by the students.

It was fun and I will be doing it again soon!

TIP OF THE WEEK

Here are some notes that were given about reading commercial copy during the session:

1. When you make a choice, commit to it. There are no good or bad choices, there are just strong or weak choices.

2. Don’t be afraid to gesture while reading your copy. It often helps you make a point or stress key words.

3. Conjure whatever images necessary to get you where you want to go. If you need to imagine you’re kissing a bucket of cheese, do it!

4. Don’t be afraid to deviate from the specs. You’re auditioning for the spot because somebody thought you fit the specs. Now it’s your job to make the copy come alive. The vast majority of voice talent will sound like the specs. If nothing else, you’ll stand out from the rest because you’re making different (and strong) choices.

5. Energy, energy, energy! Always bring energy to your read. It’s much easier for them to pull you back than trying to draw an energetic read from you.

6. Breathe, smile, and have fun!

NEWS AND NOTES

Tuesday, March 20th @7PM EST: Managing both your voiceover and personal finances can be a real challenge. Having trouble setting a budget or building that nest egg? Don’t know the difference between an IRA and an HSA? Learn how to spend, save, and invest like a boss this Tuesday night! I will teach the seminar ‘Get Your $$$ Going!’ about how to manage your finances, pay your taxes, get insured, and save for the future. Use the promo code TOMSENTME to get 20% off! (in-person only) .

Thursday, March 22nd @8PM EST: my next “Business and Money 201” webinar topic will be ‘Tax Time!’. We’re going to talk about how to file your taxes this year and get ready for the new tax code next year.

Thursday, March 29th @8PM EST: my next “Marketing 201” webinar topic will be ‘What Your Website Says About You’.

HAPPY HAPPYS

Happy Chocolate Caramel Day and Clients Day!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

A struggling Voice Over has a massive ego completely out of control. A successful Voice Over has a massive ego, for the most part, under control. Philip Banks

From my village to yours; this is Tom Dheere, The H is Silent, but I’m Not.

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Tom Dheere is a 30-year veteran voice actor specializing in corporate narration and commercials. Known as a "street-smart professor," he blends his theater-based training and guy-next-door performance style with mastery over voice over project management .

When he isn’t in the booth, he provides strategic business consulting at VOStrategist.com and produces the comic book Agent 1.22.