Is the success of a project influenced more by the script or the voice?
In many ways, the ‘shiniest’ element of a project is the voice actor. After all, they are frequently labelled as the talent.
The production’s success (or lack thereof) may get disproportionately attributed to them even when the voice over talent has spent a meagre few minutes in the booth after months of work by a whole team of writers and creatives.
Despite this, many consider the voice to make the most significant impact on the success of a project. But is it the most important element?
I would argue no…
I don’t think voice over is the most important, and I do it for a living.
VO talent can undoubtedly add a beautiful finish to a well-engineered piece of work but it’s just the cherry on top of an already gorgeous cake.
If the visuals on a project are striking and the writing inspired, but the voice over isn’t, the poor quality VO certainly doesn’t have the power to tear the whole thing down completely.
The projects potential may diminish, but a complete failure? Doubtful.
And that is because the voice over artist does not have the power to impact the concept and underlying structure of a creative project.
A voice actor is utterly dependent on the writer, much as without Dr Frankenstein’s incredible efforts, there would be no monster.
It’s all in the script
So, if the scriptwriting is lacking, the voice over is held to ransom. Apathetic clients or creatives bewitched by their copy inadvertently destroying the message before it reaches the voice talents lips.
For better or for worse, the voice is utterly reliant on the script.
The writer’s work makes a voice actors job either the most straightforward job in the world or an uphill climb against the odds.
When combined in certain formulae, several scenarios create something that can either be completely forgettable or remarkably memorable and perhaps, with that rare touch of magic – legendary.
So, first up, you’ve got a bad script. It’s terrible. It has no flow, no poetry; it’s clunky and riddled with as many clichés as a family gathering at Christmas.
Without a script that inspires respect, there’s little to salvage. Even when the best voice actora are brought in at the last minute in the hopes of a miracle.
As the saying goes though, you can’t polish a turd.
Quality talent can elevate the mediocre
But… an excellent voice over could do wonders with your mediocre script.
A script that’s just ‘fine’ could be turned into something special, even memorable, with the right amount of passion, wit, skill and enthusiasm. When most things about a production seem ‘meh,’ a great voice and a lot of heart can go a long way.
But without that, there’s little hope for the average production to offer anything more than a forgettable distraction.
If your script is average, choose the best voice talent you can afford, and it should do its job. Purposely convey your message and entertain people.
However, if you take extra care with the script and concept, you could create something mind-blowing.
Conclusion
The ones where everything comes together and creates an image, a brand, an identity so lasting that all it takes is a few notes of a theme song or a colour scheme to let someone know who’s talking.
In rare cases, the voice actors can achieve lasting stardom, something uncommon for people used to being heard and not seen.
But even if the budget is low and the team is small and a little tired and uninspired, there are still ways to make something unforgettable.
Being memorable is not synonymous with being good or even adequate, necessarily.
Scriptwriting for Voice Over
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