Most of us have heard voice over production techniques used at some time in our lives, if we have been to the movies, watched television, listened to radio or been to the theatre. The technique is used in a variety of different contexts and in different media. This article will try to outline what the technique is, and when you are likely to encounter it.
Voice over is often also described as being 'off camera commentary', a helpful term in explaining what it actually is. It is where a voice provides additional explanation and narrative detail, without actually being part of the action. The technical term for this kind of sound is that it is 'non-diagetic', in other words, it is not a direct part of the world of the film or television programme, but exists outside of it.
Of course, the technique is not limited to films, or to television productions. The technique is used frequently in live theatre productions, where the voice over can be spoken by an actor who is off-stage. It is even possible to use some off-stage narration of this kind in radio productions, if the director is skilled enough to make it sound like it is not part of the events of the play.
This kind of narration is often used at the beginning of movies, often to establish some kind of narrative structure that enables the audience to understand the events that they are likely to see soon. In genres such as 'film noir', the voice over often occurs throughout, with the main character in the film narrating certain passages to add colour and detail to the story. The narration in this sort of example often recalls the first person narrative of a hard-boiled crime story.
Sometimes, off screen narration is used to add context and meaning to a flashback sequence in a movie, with a character looking back on events which have taken place many years before. This is sometimes narrated by the same actor as the one playing the same part in the film, though sometimes an older actor will do it, especially if the narration takes place many years after the events of the film. This use of a different actor helps to reinforce context, in terms of the time period in which the film is set.
This kind of voicing over is usually pre-recorded and then dubbed over the top of the movie or television programme. This is not usually done with theatre productions though, with an actor reading lines from off-stage being preferred. Some directors may prefer a pre-recorded track for off-stage narration, but this can create technical problems.
Television is where many of us will have heard this technique used most often though, and it is typical of documentaries to use it. It can help to fill out details which are not shown on screen, and to provide an audience with more context. Wildlife documentaries in particular, with their focus on animal behaviour, utilise the technique frequently.
It can therefore be seen that voice over production is a commonly used technique. It allows film makers and other artists to add depth to their project, and to reinforce the narrative or plot. Sometimes voiced by specialists, the technique has a long history of use in the movies and other narrative art forms.
Voice over is often also described as being 'off camera commentary', a helpful term in explaining what it actually is. It is where a voice provides additional explanation and narrative detail, without actually being part of the action. The technical term for this kind of sound is that it is 'non-diagetic', in other words, it is not a direct part of the world of the film or television programme, but exists outside of it.
Of course, the technique is not limited to films, or to television productions. The technique is used frequently in live theatre productions, where the voice over can be spoken by an actor who is off-stage. It is even possible to use some off-stage narration of this kind in radio productions, if the director is skilled enough to make it sound like it is not part of the events of the play.
This kind of narration is often used at the beginning of movies, often to establish some kind of narrative structure that enables the audience to understand the events that they are likely to see soon. In genres such as 'film noir', the voice over often occurs throughout, with the main character in the film narrating certain passages to add colour and detail to the story. The narration in this sort of example often recalls the first person narrative of a hard-boiled crime story.
Sometimes, off screen narration is used to add context and meaning to a flashback sequence in a movie, with a character looking back on events which have taken place many years before. This is sometimes narrated by the same actor as the one playing the same part in the film, though sometimes an older actor will do it, especially if the narration takes place many years after the events of the film. This use of a different actor helps to reinforce context, in terms of the time period in which the film is set.
This kind of voicing over is usually pre-recorded and then dubbed over the top of the movie or television programme. This is not usually done with theatre productions though, with an actor reading lines from off-stage being preferred. Some directors may prefer a pre-recorded track for off-stage narration, but this can create technical problems.
Television is where many of us will have heard this technique used most often though, and it is typical of documentaries to use it. It can help to fill out details which are not shown on screen, and to provide an audience with more context. Wildlife documentaries in particular, with their focus on animal behaviour, utilise the technique frequently.
It can therefore be seen that voice over production is a commonly used technique. It allows film makers and other artists to add depth to their project, and to reinforce the narrative or plot. Sometimes voiced by specialists, the technique has a long history of use in the movies and other narrative art forms.
About the Author:
You should pay a visit to this informative website at ronreidvo.com to find out details about voice over production. To make your search easier, we strongly recommend that you check out this link http://ronreidvo.com.
