Talking Creative

Storytelling is big right now.

Stories are relatable and they connect us - so it makes sense to create a natural, easy storytelling feel from your voiceover artist.

That's quite straightforward when it’s an audiobook, a game or an audiodrama.  But how do you achieve it with corporate work?

This week's episode has got you covered!

We look at 5 things to consider when you're tackling corporate work:

1. Casting
2. The script
3. Briefing
4. Directing
5. Post production

New ideas about how to make your videos, commercials and e-learning modules really connect with your listeners.

Do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

or

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

Listening to books has never been more popular - fact or fiction, we all love a good listen. But finding the right narrator is a complex art.

In this episode, I'm talking to Amber Bates from Orion Books about the part she plays in getting a book from a manuscript and into our ears.

We cover all kinds of stuff, including

• Casting - and who is involved in the process
• What to look for in your audiobook narrator
• The listener and why they're so important
• How to work with the author
• Studios vs home studios
• Directing your narrator

We also look specifically at The Six Tales of Christmas (also available from your independent bookseller), narrated by Karen Cass and written by Anne Marie Ryan. Yes - it's a bit late/ridiculously early - but it's always Christmas in my heart ;-D

Do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

or

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

At first glance, this seems a surprising statement to even be debating - but with budgets being increasingly squeezed across the creative industries, voice actors are finding that they're being directed by all kinds of people from production teams - not necessarily experienced directors.

Voice Directors have a unique and precious skillset.

So - along with the insights and comments from a number of voice actors and industry professionals - this is the subject that I'm tackling this week on Talking Creative.

There were 4 main themes that emerged:

1. Directors are the bridge between the actor and the client;
2. Directors have the creative overview of the whole piece;
3. Directors improve the quality of an actor’s performance through collaboration;
4. Experienced directors know how to work with actors to build the layers of a nuanced, engaging performance quickly and efficiently - producing brilliant results AND saving time and money.

Many thanks to everyone who got involved and helped me to create this New Year Special despite lockdown, New Year celebrations and birthdays - I couldn't do it without you!

With special thanks to:

Margaret Ashley, Curt Bonnem, Natalie Chisholm, Stephane Cornicard, Adam Dergiman, Katie Flamman, Kirsty Gillmore, John Grayson, Will Harrison-Wallace, Anthony Hewson, Dave Jones, Lanessa VO, Ally Murphy, Joel Pettigrew, Tanya Rich, Lisa Stokke Jolly and Susie Valerio.

Do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

or

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

Fact or fiction - great storytelling is an art.

But what is it about a really good narrator that works and how do they learn how to pull the listener into their story?

The answer - as with most things in life - is because they’ve worked at it: they’ve learnt their craft.

Which is where a great audiobook coach comes in. 

In this episode, I’m talking to Sean Pratt - multi-award-winning narrator, actor and coach - who has voiced over 1000 Audiobooks for companies including Penguin, Blackstone, Tantor and Harper Collins.

There’s not much Sean doesn’t know about the craft of the audiobook.

If you want to find out how to get the most out of your audiobook narrators - this is an amazing Masterclass.

Amongst other things, we look at:

• Actors and audio narration
• The challenges of narrating non-fiction;
• Coaching professional voices and why it matters;
• How to work with inexperienced voices;
• Top tips for voice directors to help their narrators to really shine;
• And you'll discover why he's called The Ginger Yoda :)  

You can find out more about Sean here: https://www.seanprattpresents.com

Do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

or

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

Casting the right narrator for your audiobook is important - but should you be thinking beyond the obvious if you want to reach new audiences?

For instance - would The Great Gatsby still work if the audiobook narrator was neither American nor male? ⁣

Audiobooks are booming during 2020. Whether that’s because we need entertainment, escapism or comfort right now… whatever the reason: audio is big news. 

Audiobooks are finding new audiences – young audio-fans, listeners who don’t usually buy books and readers listening to titles that they wouldn’t pick up in print.

So should we be thinking beyond the conventional when it comes to casting for audiobooks? And if so - what does that really mean?

That's what I'm talking about in this episode of Talking Creative.

The Guardian Article:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/14/pandemic-drives-ebook-and-audiobook-sales-by-uk-publishers-to-all-time-high-covid

The National Literary Trust Report 2020:

https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-young-people-and-audiobooks-lockdown/

Do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

or

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

This episode of Talking Creative is all about getting your voiceover to feel confident.

But why is this so important - surely they just need to bob into the booth and deliver?

Well - yes - this is true. But confident, relaxed people generally perform better when they're feeling good - they're braver and bolder - which is great for creative work.

In this episode we cover 10 practical ways for you to get the best performance out of your voice actor during a directing session, including:

• Direct, but don't act for them
• How to perfect the art of saying "I love that, now let's also try this..."
• Creating a collaborative atmosphere

Do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

or

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

Winning awards can elevate your career, open new doors and impress your boss.

With an eye on PromaxUK - this week, Talking Creative looks at what makes a winning promo and how important is the Voiceover in the mix?

This episode was recorded in November 2020 - in the week of the historic US Presidential Elections and the annual PromaxUK Awards Ceremony.

We discuss

• Why winning awards is not just a bit of industry fun - it can really make a difference
• Current Trends in UK Promos and how voiceovers fit in
• Do professional voices really make a big difference?

Useful Episodes:

02 - Where to Find the Perfect Voiceover Artist

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

05 - Voice Artists, Commercials and How to Make Your Message Heard

https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative/05-talking-creative-podcast-voice-artists-commercials-and-how-to-make-your-message-heard/

Do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

or

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

Every director wants to work with professional voiceovers who are fully trained, understand what’s needed and can reproduce what they promise on their reels.

So in this episode - I’m talking about the importance of voice coaching this week with British voiceover and coach Tanya Rich. 

We look at:

• Why voice coaching is increasingly important for all pro voiceovers
• How to spot a trained voice artist
• How to get the most out of your voice actor
• What makes a good voice director

Tanya is the voice coach behind the Rich List and RichCraft Voice Training - here are the details:

The Rich List

https://richcraft.biz/the-rich-list/

RichCraft

https://richcraft.biz/

Do subscribe, rate and review "Talking Creative - the Art of Voiceover Directing" on Apple Podcasts

or

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