Finding a voice

Finding a voice for your job is not difficult; in fact it’s a lot of fun if you have the time to spend listening to a few key features. It can be catch 22 though, as unless you have the ear or experience, Voice Over talents are rarely actors, although a lot of actors can do voices and well.  (A lot less than you think, although many actors will disagree) A good Voice Over’s favourite organ will be his or her ears, because that is what creates the delivery; being able to HEAR exactly what one is saying and how, down to every nuance, pause, pronunciation and frequency.

We are churning out dozens of commercials each week in our own studio associated with this site, so like other professionals, such as radio and television stations; there is reluctance to trying out new talent, simply because of time really. We therefore end up using trusted talent over and over because we know what to expect and we know where to get them instantly.  However, believe us, as and when we can, we do look around A LOT because you never know what you might find.

Some voices are famous for being famous.  For example, if Hugh Grant did voice overs (does he?) it would be Hugh Grant.  Now take the voice of Duncan Wells or Chris Kent for example; they are go anywhere, do anything tools and could be anyone to the public’s ears.  Only those in the business know who the hell it is when we hear it, unless they are doing accents.  Even then some of us know, so voices like that are often perfect for many things.  Geg Hopkins on the other hand has a very distinct voice when speaking normally and often very recognizable once known.  It’s a lowish Tommy Vance type growl and typical of action or deep cinema style stuff or station I.D.’s for DJ’s. These are specific voices for the job at hand. (Although of course Geg can do any particular voice you require, it’s just that his normal voice is in demand for those things mentioned).