Casual Familiarity
A young lady was in to do a voice demo just the other day and I was trying to explain how to interpret the script. I went through all of the old "directions"..."read it as if you're talking to your best friend"..."you're only talking to one person"...you know, the classics. Then on my way home last night, it hit me. When doing voice work for commercials, even non broadcast, it's vital that you establish that "CASUAL FAMILIARITY". It's the practice of talking to people as if you've known them all your life.
You can do this in everyday life too. When you answer the phone, when you greet people on the street, whatever it is you need to say, whoever it is you need to say it to, just treat them like you would your brother or sister or favorite uncle. Okay, so you're fighting with your entire family, how about that best friend of yours?
This is the true key to success at voice work. Of course you still need to be able to actually say all of the words in the script, but if you establish that "CASUAL FAMILIARITY", you'll be far more successful. Besides, it's really fun to say. Thanks for reading and we'll leave the mic on for ya.
You can do this in everyday life too. When you answer the phone, when you greet people on the street, whatever it is you need to say, whoever it is you need to say it to, just treat them like you would your brother or sister or favorite uncle. Okay, so you're fighting with your entire family, how about that best friend of yours?
This is the true key to success at voice work. Of course you still need to be able to actually say all of the words in the script, but if you establish that "CASUAL FAMILIARITY", you'll be far more successful. Besides, it's really fun to say. Thanks for reading and we'll leave the mic on for ya.
