1. "Punctuate to Victory."
You'd be surprised how writers will pour hours into a passionate script... then
send it off to be voiced with no indication of the desired audio attitude.
We're talking about punctuation, lower case (not just CAPITAL
LETTERS), usage and music or video cues. In fact,
why not specify the type of read you're looking for? Say it with underlines,
quotations marks or exclamations!
SCRIPT VICTORY can be yours!
2. "Space Out!"
I once received a 5 page script with little punctuation and all capital
letters. Go figure?! By the third page...it all began to look like
blocks of black hieroglyphics. Double space, and use at least a size 12
font.
Better reads--with fewer takes--means money saved.
3. [Pro 'nun see 'a shuns]
Your voice artist may have never been to the locale you're writing about.
Include pronunciation guides to proper names (can you say
"Steinhauser" correctly?) and business or city names; words like "Worchester"
(actually pronounced 'Woustur') and "Lancaster" (pronounced 'Lan 'ca stur' in
one state and 'Lank ih stur' in another).
4. "The speller's the feller..."
Check your spelling! It will mean a 're-do' and a lost day when Jons
Furniture, that most anyone could pronounce, turns out to be Jones
Furniture... and you simply mistyped it.
Never assume that your voice artist "knows what you meant."
5. "Under" write.
DON"T OVER-WRITE!!
Who wants their inspirationally worded script to sound like a Monster Truck
Pull spot? No voice artist, no matter how skilled, can make a spot that's
crammed with coy sound relaxed and conversational. Even if you speak
faster than he does, it's his voice that will end up on the air.
The writing must reflect "his" style.
6. "Re" write.
An acquaintance of mine is an author.
When his children bring their school papers to him for advice, he asks if this
is the "first draft." If the answer is "yes," he always takes a pencil
and makes a big "X" right across the page. As cruel as this sounds, his
rule is:
...a paper isn't even presentable unless it's been "re-written" at least
once.
7. Fax or E-mail... EARLY.
Fax modems on your computer or a fax "machine" are both great ways to send your
scripts to a voice artist. And each will work on any domestic phone
line. If you have an Internet provider, e-mail is the best! and
it's paper-less.
A couple of tips. First, always make a copy of your script. ( A
copywriter once made me promise to send back the script with the tape--she'd
mailed her only copy of the script). Second, once you've sent
the script, pick up the phone and confirm that it has indeed arrived.
This can save a "frantic scramble" later.
8. Do we do "disc?" Do we do "DAT?".
CDs sound terrific. Many voice artist, however, don't have CD
burners and unlike audio "tape," CDs can't be re-recorded. DAT cassettes
feature CD quality, are small and can be re-recorded over and over.
Reel-to-reel tapes are still widely used, and the reel-to-reel "recorders are
fairly affordable (starting at $650).
ISDN codecs are the new kid on the block. Featuring the new
high-grade phone lines, the Telos Zephyr or the Musicam Prima offer instant
transmission to your recording studio. Think of it as a long, long
microphone cable from your voice artist's city that reaches to yours. And
the sound is digital quality! For costs on these and other units, call me
at 913-888-9211.
9. How Soon Can I Get It Back?.
ISDN- You dial the number, link up, record the read, and hang up. Just
like that!
Airborne // Fedex // UPS
$13.50 Arrives the next day
$15.00 Arrives the next morning by 10:30
$40.00 Arrives the next morning by 8:30
$90 + Same day arrival
Each courier offers an economy "2-day" arrival delivery for around $5.
10. Money Talks
Voice artist typically work with a one to three-year contract (retainer).
This is also more affordable for the client. The voice artist is offering
a lower fee for the security of long-term employment.
Are you aware that "price" is determined by "market size?" Fees will be
much lower for Tipton, Missouri than for New York City.
