A video experience is an audio-visual experience. The voice-over (audio) component adds depth and personality, what on-screen text alone cannot achieve. Even more important, a good voice-over adds to a viewer's understanding as it adds information that is not displayed on the screen.
In this article, you'll find a collection of best practices to keep in mind when scripting the voice-over for your video.
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Stay focused on the scene.
When scripting your voice-over for a specific scene, stay focused on the scene's message in order to write clearly and concisely.
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Be aware of repetition.
In your voice-over, it's best to say a sentence only once. There is no need to repeat the same words over again. If you need to emphasize a specific point, you can always dedicate an entire scene to address the topic instead of only a bullet.
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Use your on-screen text as your anchor.
Try to avoid narrating your on-screen text. Similar to a physical presentation—where it's bad practice to read the slides—use your on-screen text as prompts for a more in-depth message. This will create a much richer video experience.
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Work with your pre-existing script.
If you are creating a video with a Story Template, the video will include a pre-written voice-over script. These scripts are written by professionals with extensive expertise in the relevant industry. We recommend using them as a starting point for creating your unique voice-over. Alternatively, you can script completely from scratch if it makes sense to do so.
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Script and preview.
As you script your voice-over, use the preview functionality to listen to your script and make adjustments accordingly.
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Scene duration may be impacted by the voice-over.
When scripting your voice-over, observe how the scene plays. If your script is shorter than the animation, the scene will play more quickly; if your script is longer, the scene will play more slowly to accommodate all the text. Make adjustments to ensure that the pace is optimal for viewing. For more information on this topic, see What Determines the Length of a Scene?
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Choose the right voice to tell your story.
Once your script is ready, choose the voice that best suits your brand and video. The SundaySky platform includes a wide collection of human-sounding automated voices in different tones, genders, and languages. The right voice will bring your story to life.
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Prefer an automated voice to a human voice-over artist.
Using an automated voice comes with many advantages, among them:
▶ The voice-over creation process is immediate.
▶ You are not dependent on any external resources. There is no need to find a suitable voice talent, coordinate recording sessions, review the recording, or have multiple iterations.
▶ Using an automated voice is completely free of charge.
▶ If you do need to make an edit to the voice-over, it can be done very quickly.
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If you do decide on a human voice-over artist, plan accordingly.
Once you finish scripting the voice-over, you'll need to request a recording for the script. At this point, the work moves entirely to your SundaySky Project Manager who'll coordinate the voice-over work with the artist. When the recording is ready, it will be uploaded seamlessly to your video. You'll then be able to listen to the recording and request any edits, if necessary.
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