In almost no time at all, the audio book market has emerged as one of the hottest sources of work for voice actors. Thanks largely to the spread of electronic publishing and the growing popularity of download- and streaming-based content services like iTunes and Spotify, demand for audio books is exploding.
As an actor thinking of taking your first step into voice, the opportunity has never been greater. But audio book projects demand an entirely different approach and skill set compared to other voice projects.
Before saying yes to an audio book gig, soak in these four key takeaways to give you a taste of what you can expect in studio.
1. Understand the commitment. The average book takes about three weeks for a voice talent to record. That may sound like a long time (and it is), but it’s largely because audio books require a great deal of commitment. In some cases, narrators are also expected to edit the recording, which will take more time. As a general rule, it takes two to three times longer to edit a voiceover than it does to record it. The first thing you’ll want to do is get a word count. From there, you’ll be able to determine how long it will take you to read and edit. Bear in mind that audio books vary in length. Some, like children’s books, are relatively short and could get you in and out of the studio in record time. Others are exceptionally long and may singlehandedly take over your calendar for weeks on end.
2. Keep healthy. Recording a project of this kind demands not only your time but your instrument as well. If you’re used to sprinting through commercials or voicemail recordings, an audio book may seem like running a marathon. Do all you can to keep healthy and take breaks when appropriate. Drink lots of water, eat well, and get plenty of sleep. Endurance is key. Getting through 100,000 words isn’t going to be a cakewalk. Those 100,000 words are equal to 11 hours of audio, which is means 22 hours of voice in the studio. Knowing what the landscape looks like for your voice will ensure that there won’t be any surprises. Phew!
3. Read the story in advance. This may sound obvious, but as the narrator you should know how the story ends before the audience does. By reading the book in advance, you will be well equipped to tell the story and sound like the omniscient narrator you are meant to be. The understanding you’ll gain will map out a vision for your read while helping you stay true to the author’s intent. Developing believable, sustainable characters is much easier when you have the benefit of the full picture. When all the information is on the table, details that are revealed later in the book about a character will not catch you off guard. Who wants to record six chapters of narration only to find that in Chapter 7, one of the main characters suddenly has a Hungarian accent? Doing your research saves you time in the long run and prevents costly mistakes.
4. Know the characters. Let’s go back to high school for a moment. Do you remember writing book reviews and plotting out character sketches? As the narrator, you need to be able to distinguish your narrator’s voice from the voices of other characters in the book. One way to do this is to make a list of all the characters in the book, and then describe each one of them in great detail. The author helps you by providing clues about a characters’ personalities, physical appearances, as well as details about background and occupation. Jot down vocal characteristics that set each character apart. Does your character sound young or old? Is he or she from a particular place? Is there anything about his or her physicality or temperament that plays into how they speak? Once you have outlined individual characters, note what their relationships are to each other. Observe the challenges that characters face and know what motivates them. Defining characters in this way will help you to create solid, distinct voices and help the listener differentiate between characters with ease.
Recording audio books is both challenging and rewarding. By applying the tips above, you’ll be able to narrate with more than just a paycheck in mind. You’ll be breathing life into a story and inviting listeners to journey with you into the theatre of the mind.
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