Documentary and In-Show Voice Over by John Henry Krause

Your chosen voice talent is responsible for providing an enticing tone to captivate the listener and permanently hold their attention. A smooth tone encourages comfort, reassurance, and trust. However, if the subject matter is serious or suspenseful, your voiceover may be filled with gravitas to elicit an emotional connection.

Perhaps you’re telling a crime story filled with drama and intrigue. That’s the perfect opportunity for your voice actor to increase the intensity and tempo of each word on the page.

Timing is everything. For example, a well-versed voiceover artist identifies operative words and adjusts their pacing with a flow that helps keep the story interesting. Doing this gives a natural and relatable sound to your documentary voice over.

Use of perspective is a trait unique to each voice actor. With this in mind, every project allows a talent the opportunity to evoke opinion or point of view.

For instance, a journalistic type of script calls for an authoritative, fact-based read. The voice actor is a reporter with an unbiased opinion. Leaving the viewer to form their own. To put it differently, the voice talent avoids over-informing or over-educating the listener.

The observational read often has a softer, more reflective tone. In this case, the narrator exhibits patience in their descriptive phrasing.

Another way to captivate a listener’s attention is the use of pauses when reading the copy. Notably, the pauses are judicious and never the same type. Ultimately a connected storyteller uses these methodical pauses with a childlike fascination.

Parenthetical expression is an attribute that differentiates many voice actors.  These separate thoughts or phrases interrupt a sentence but are in some way related to it. Sometimes they are taken for granted or considered non-essential. On the contrary, it permits the narrator to insert an opinion without deviating from the message.

How about a little attitude? Adding a hard-hitting music bed to a project gives the voiceover artist permission to provide some edge that cuts through your soundtrack. Quick cuts and transitions of your visuals will have viewers awe-struck. At the same time, a glib voice artist quickens delivery of the text in your script.

A cold opening presents the opportunity to be suspenseful, comical, chilling, or dramatic.  These elements at the beginning of your program instantly heighten feelings and emotions. When done well, this clever tactic immediately seizes the attention of your audience. This is accomplished by diving right into the thick of a story before the opening credits or a title sequence. Once a viewer sees and hears this juicier portion of your program, they get reeled in and stay tuned through the commercial break.

Sometimes a cold open has nothing to do with the upcoming storyline. It may be used as a channel to introduce characters and the world they live in. To describe their tendencies in any given situation. Or a time when you give the subject’s background or history.

Here is a chance for the writer to craft well-thought-out dialogue for the voice-over. One that will sprinkle details within the opening sequence which may be relevant later in the story.

Not all In-Show narration is serious stuff. For example, Do it Yourself shows include the voice actor sharing step-by-step instructions for things like home improvement projects.

In the case of the reality show, the voice actor is used as a conduit that supplies a narrative between segments. In other words, the voiceover pieces together storylines. It’s an account of what is happening and also keeps the audience connected. As a result, the show moves along more quickly.

What about a documentary featuring amazing and rarely seen occurrences in nature? To prepare, the production crew spends a great deal of time capturing images on video. It is the voiceover artist who uses delicate and subtle vocal nuances to describe in detail what is happening on screen.

John Henry realizes the voice over is just one facet in the production process of your documentary or In-Show voiceover project. With decades of B2B and B2C Sales and Marketing experience, he lends a professional commitment to your production.

John understands how businesses operate and what they expect from their service providers. Throughout the process you receive responsive and continuous communication from a relatable partner.

There is more to serving you than just meeting a deadline. This includes attention to the detail, listening to your needs, quickly responding to questions and fulfilling requests.

When hiring John for a voiceover project, you’ll experience a flexible and collaborative approach. One designed to help you achieve your expected result.

Storytelling lies at the heart of documentary voiceover and In-Show narration. That is to say, it is a journey of discovery.

No matter the subject matter, a great voiceover uses narrative to bridge the gaps between visuals. Narration places the viewer inside the mind of the characters. Letting the viewer into a character’s world also allows for exposition and presenting of facts. An otherwise dull transition scene is made dynamic and engaging through careful voiceover. A stylistic choice that serves both practical and artistic purpose.

John Henry is an experienced storyteller. His smooth tones layer intrigue, build tension, and provide insights. When needed, his humorous asides are a welcome moment of comic relief.

Unlike many other voice projects, documentary and In-Show voiceover requires adaptability in tone and delivery to match a scene. John keeps the audience engaged through a versatile performance during this journey. The right voice helps explore arcs, develop lessons, educate and entertain. In contrast, an ill-timed delivery will destroy a moment.

Documentary is an art form driven by the filmmaker’s passion for a subject. A voice over articulates this passion and compliments it with underlying moods, tones and themes.

The voice artist works with the copy to convey complex ideas through nuanced delivery. This combination enlightens the audience to thoughts and concepts which may have otherwise been lost.

For over a decade, John Henry has established a reputation as an accessible and communicative voice talent. All while meeting deadlines and delivering clear, high-quality audio. He welcomes direction and, if requested, has the tact and experience to offer creative insights. 

John is available through Source Connect Standard, Zoom, Skype, and Phone Patch, making the collaborative process seamless. 

Contact John today to bring voice to your visuals and story.