...and today we are talking Explainer Videos.

Is there a perfect length for an explainer video?

Well, it depends - and you can find out why in today's episode.

If you enjoyed this podcast - please do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

and

Go to https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative for the whole series so far.

...and today's gift is the recipe for my favourite cocktail.

Why? (You may be asking.)

Well - because this is a calendar with surprises behind the festive mic.

Because it's a mini how-to audio guide.

And because it's the weekend - and you don't always have to make stuff that's work-useful.

So, enjoy the recipe - and even give it a try.

It's super-simple and there's a Christmassy twist too!

If you enjoyed this podcast - please do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

and

Go to https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative for the whole series so far.

...and today's gift is the intro to the Christmas film "Love Actually".

There's an awful lot we can learn from the opening to this film - and you can listen to it here:

https://youtu.be/rl44pV2-9R8

If you enjoyed this podcast - please do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

and

Go to https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative for the whole series so far.

...and today's gift is all about the number 3!

Think Harry Potter, Superman's mantra and the BBC's mission statement: inform, educate and entertain.

The power of 3 is all around us.

So why is this important to voice directors, voice actors and content producers?

You can find out in today's episode.

If you enjoyed this podcast - please do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

and

Go to https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative for the whole series so far.

...and today's gift is a little bit of inspiration to be more innovative, brave and bold.

What links

• Inspector Morse
• Pixar
• BBC audio drama Home Front
• Apple’s Voice Memo App 

Find out behind today's festive mic!

If you enjoyed this podcast - please do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

and

Go to https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative for the whole series so far.

This Christmas - Talking Creative brings you a Voiceover Advent Calendar.

The Talking Creative "Countdown to Christmas"!

Every day on the run up to Christmas - instead of a treat behind a door, you'll get a treat from behind the mic.

A voiceover gift to inspire, help or just entertain you - who knows what each day will bring!

Today is December the 1st...

...the perfect day to talk about only having one director in a session - not a variety of people, all saying different things!

If you enjoyed this podcast - please do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

and

Go to https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative for the whole series so far.

How do you keep your content - and your projects - feeling fresh and new?

This week's Talking Creative is looking at 4 ways you can do that.

We cover:

1. Keep learning new stuff
2. Keep meeting new people
3. Watch what’s happening in your niche
4. Be aware of new trends

If you enjoyed this podcast - please do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

and

Go to https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative for the whole series so far.

You've done all the prep. The session is in full swing. But how do you actually direct your voice artist?

Here are 3 techniques to help - which don't involve line reading or being too prescriptive:

1. Be specific and clear
2. Tap into their imagination 
3. Relax and create some space

If you enjoyed this podcast - please do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

and

Go to https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative for the whole series so far.

'Tis (nearly) the season to be jolly. But have you thought about your Christmas voice yet?

Well, now is the time and this week's episode should help you get in the festive mood.

Plus hopefully give you some Christmassy ideas.

• Character voices
• Kids voices
• Parent voices
• Singers
• Is there even a "Christmas" voice?

There were a lot of people who made this episode extra-special...

Santa was the excellent Mark Ryes:

https://markryes.com/

As well as live Santa voiceover and TV and radio commercials, shopping centres and websites, Mark also provides Santa messages for parents (which is pretty fabulous!) - do find out more here:

 https://voiceover6.wixsite.com/santamessages

And Mrs Santa, the elves and all the other Christmassy wonders were played by:

• Ally Murphy https://www.allymurphy.co.uk/
• Dianne Weller https://dianneweller.com/
• Jo Ashe https://joashe.uk/
• Karis Pentecost https://www.karispentecost.com/
• Lisa Graydon https://www.lisagraydon.com/
• Liz Drury https://lizdrury.com/
• Menna Bonsels https://mennabonsels.com/
• Margaret Ashley http://margaretashley.com
• Natalie Chisholm https://www.redheadvoiceover.com/

And here are some other episodes that might help you find voice actors:

Episode 43 - How to Find the Right Voiceover Quickly:

https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative/how-to-find-the-right-voiceover-quickly/

Episode 2 - Where to Find the Perfect Voiceover Artist

https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative/02-where-to-find-the-perfect-voiceover-artist/

If you enjoyed this podcast - please do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

and

Go to https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative for the whole series so far.

To celebrate, I've looked back at all the great ideas and interviews in a year of podcasting - and pulled together the top 10 pieces of advice.

Here's the list:

1. The listener is King - or Queen (Amber Bates and Sean Pratt)
2. Be an ace planner (Verity Panter)
3. Do your homework (Tanya Rich)
4. Be authentic (Elinor Hamilton)
5. Make your voice talent feel confident (Sean Pratt and Nic Redman)
6. Write scripts to be read out loud (Nic Redman)
7. Be clear, be specific (Katie Flamman and Stephane Cornicard)
8. Be playful (Lisa Graydon)
9. Don’t take yourself too seriously (Garrett Neal)
10. Be a director - not a dictator (me - and pretty much everyone else!)

And here are the links to the episodes mentioned:

https://bit.ly/TalkingCreativeTanyaRich

https://bit.ly/TalkingCreativeSeanPratt

https://bit.ly/TalkingCreativeAmberBates

https://bit.ly/TalkingCreativeNicRedman

https://bit.ly/TalkingCreativeWorldVoiceDay

https://bit.ly/TalkingCreativeGarrettNeal

https://bit.ly/TalkingCreativeVerityPanter

https://bit.ly/TalkingCreativeElinorHamilton

And here's to another year of Talking Creative!

If you enjoyed this podcast - please do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

and

Go to https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative for the whole series so far.