Cecil Archbold - Voiceover Narration

Voiceover Narration is the process of using a voice that’s not on camera to communicate something to an audience.  For the most part the narrators are not seen but they are an important part of the production.

The focus in corporate video is the message that’s conveyed.  That message is brought forward by the images seen on screen as well as the voice that’s narrating.  Unlike voicing commercials, corporate narration requires a slightly different approach.  Most commercials have to be quick hits of 15 or 30 seconds.  On some occasions a full minute.  Corporate video communications can last up to 5 minutes or more.  Corporate video narration is not characterized by a stodgy delivery.  The narrator must keep the attention of the audience with a measured amount of flair.  Corporate video narrators are storytellers who are sometimes relied upon to tell the story of the corporation’s founding and how the company grew from a meager beginning to the industry giant that it is today.  The narrator’s role here is to display the same passion and pride that characterizes the company.  While reading, the narrator must understand the image that the company wants to present.  There must exist a skill in lifting the words off of the page to elicit an emotional response from the listener.   The listener could be a consumer of the company’s products and services, a company employee, a potential investor or just the general public.

Programs that are broadcast over television or radio are sometimes supported by voice overs.  While these voices play a support role, they do significantly enhance the program information that’s brought forth.  They take the form of promotions or ‘promos’ for upcoming shows, where the voice introduces the programming about to be seen or heard.  The voice also may be utilized while the programming is underway, as is the case with In-Show Narration.  The delivery is designed to not take over the production but to guide the viewer or listener through the program.  In the area of news channel programming, the voice could be a part of advertising efforts for the local, regional or national community. Sometimes the voiceover in this type of programming is utilized for promotions for the stations themselves and not necessarily the actual content of the station’s programming.

A commonly held belief is that medical narration is just about proper pronunciation of difficult terminology.  That’s only partly true.  The language is certainly complex and full of words and word combinations that most of us don’t hear every day, but even in medical narration, there exists a need to tell a story.  A well-told story draws us in and keeps our interests piqued.  A well-told story keeps us focused.  A well-told story leaves us with something memorable after the story is told.

In medical narration, the audience is mostly likely composed of professionals who are already familiar with the terminology.  So they aren’t going to be impressed or interested by a narrator who simply reads information to them.  Like most of us, they want to be entertained.  Of course, I’m not referring to entertainment in the form of a 3-ring circus, but more of an edutainment (education+entertainment).

Edutainment meets listeners at the intersection of Learning Desire & Human Nature.  Both of these needs can and should be met.  The desire to learn is directly related to the listener’s job in the medical field; doctor, nurse, anesthesiologist…  The human nature component is there because as humans we desire connections.  Deep down, we want to feel comfortable and at ease.  A highly skilled narrator can simultaneously present information and build connections.  Thus, ensuring that the listeners basic needs are met.

As the name suggests, Explainer Videos are designed to explain.  The explanation could cover the details of a new product.  It could educate a sales team on a new company procedure.  A business could use an explainer to tell their brand story as an introduction to prospective customers.  Here, the narrator must simultaneously educate and entertain.  Care must be taken to keep the interest of the audience while not just dispensing information.

Cecil is skilled in all of these Voice Over Narration Genres.  Reach out to him today for a custom demo of your script.