Homework #1 I have 9 scripts here, and I thank you for your time and effort in advance. What do you hear? Any suggestions on sub-genres that I fit nicely?
Corporate Training
Welcome to the Life underwriting and rating module. In this module we will dig deeper into the rating classes and underwriting process of life insurance. As an authorized representative of New World Life insurance, you are an important part of the underwriting process.
Museum Audio Guide
In foot combat, two opponents face each other on the ground. Imagine a wrestling match, but with weapons and with no horse to get you out of danger’s way. What would be the best armor to protect you? It would have to cover your entire body, yet be flexible enough to respond to your every move.
Explainer Video
In the first half of Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus, Paul explores the story of the Gospel, how all history came to its c****x in Jesus and in his creation of this multi-ethnic community of his followers.
How-to Video
You are constructing multi-level buildings on the glorious island and the first player to reach a certain level wins. You have only two things to do each turn: move a builder and build up. The first player to get a builder on top of a 3-story structure wins, and they must climb to it via a 1 and then 2-story building.
Travel Guide Video
Vera and Garrucha, two neighboring towns in the hills of Almeria. An excellent example of touristic development in a traditionally agricultural region. Vera rises from the river basin onto a plain surrounded by farms and orchards. Garrucha has been transformed from a humble fishing port to a pillar of tourism.
Telephony
We appreciate your patience as our representatives continue to assist other customers. Did you know that you can find answers to common questions on our website? Just log on with your user ID and click on the FAQs link on the right-hand side.
Golf Course Overview
The opening hole at Victoria National starts off with a moderate par 4, with only two left-side fairway bunkers guarding the opening tee shot. A straightaway with no water hazards in sight from the back tee, it’s a design you don’t see often from Fazio.
E-learning
Giraffes are the tallest animals on earth, but did you know that giraffes sleep while standing? And they keep their eyes wide open. When a giraffe is born, it starts its life by falling 7 feet down to the ground.
Documentary/podcast
You could say that the late 1800s saw the birth of the celebrity. Sure people had been famous before. Many gained fame for writing books, like Mary Shelley, and robbing banks, like Jessie James. But around the turn of the century, people began to excitedly follow celebrity movements and appearances in the papers like never before.
Hi Michael! These are great reads. You have clear diction and enunciation, and love how you highlighted key words and maintained a great pace in all of these. My only note would be on “E-learning.” I wish you had a bit more fun with that one like you did with “Travel Guide Video.” While your read was good, warm and relaxed, maybe could have read it a bit more playful since the audience seems to be kids based on the copy. But overall, these were great!
¡Gracias! I really appreciate you taking the time! Also, I remember you from our Technique 101 class, and I’m very excited to see where VO takes you. I could tell you have talent even in the short reads we were doing. ¡Que dios te bendiga en tu rumbo!
I have with me another recording, as homework per my instructor.
Hopefully the sound quality is okay- I’m not sure what’s going on tonight, but it seemed like there was a tremor while recording, no matter what I did. Also, the beginning was mistakenly cut off… but I really like this take, and didn’t want to get rid of it, so…
This was initially a gameplay trailer, but I think the on-screen scripty worked well enough to warrant a recording. Once again, I need to make sure I’m exhibiting a feeling of conversation, as well as elements of a beginning/middle/end, so hopefully you can feel that here.
I’m a little embarrassed, given the context, but my instructor recommends me find scripts of things I really like. Feedback and criticism of any kind is much appreciated!
Hello! The first thing I notice is your breathing. Breathe before “embark” so you get the complete idea in your phrase. There are a few places where you pause when you should be reading through. I can hear your enthusiasm, which is good. Your youthful voice can be an advantage in this realm, I think, but it sounds like you’re holding back. Let loose, brother.
I would appreciate your feedback on a brief corporate training read – the text follows:
Here at Shell we’ve worked hard to create a safe and efficient work environment. Click the 3 links at the top of the page to review additional information about: Standard Operating Procedures, Safe Practices and Problem Reporting
This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Tracy.
I like your vocal sound for children, very sweet and energetic! The first read was very good. Your audio is a bit thin, could need some blankets or auralex. The second read was a bit rushed and lacked musicality but your voice tone is nice. The third read was a nice piece and also could use a little more musicality, but I’m being critical and overall I thought your sound was good.
Hello again! Thanks as always for your time and ears for listening!
Video Game Commentary – “Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild”
As I’m sitting here on this Main Menu looking at this beautiful artwork, I’m just thinking about how far the video game industry has come. And a lot of you guys know this, but the Legend of Zelda is hands down – by far – my most favorite and treasured video game franchise of all time. And it’s probably because it’s the very first video game I ever played. It kind of set me on my path to being a gamer.
Hi! Wow, great tone! I wonder what it would feel like if you emphasized “better” and “down”? Is that what makes this thrill ride unique? I love the levity in the middle and mood at the end:)
Hello! I think you have a great voice, especially for these types of reads! I think the first 3 lines could sound a bit more relaxed and maybe leave the listener in a bit suspense wanting to know more. The “Supreme Scream!” part sounds great!
EDIT: Files were silent. Should be fixed!… sorry! Also, now included are the scripts.
Hello again, everyone! Thanks so much for the comments on my previous post. I have curated several options for my demo and am including some practice I did on them today. I would so appreciate any feedback you could provide on these reads.
Cool, Cool (original)
Who’s that hiding behind the piano? Is it a dog, a mouse, a giraffe, or a cow? Cowabunga! You figured it out! Waaa, waaa, waaa, waaa (sad trombone). Try again.
Cod Heads (from Smithsonian magazine)
Pay a winter visit to Norway’s remote Lofoten Islands and it’s impossible to miss the rows of headless fish carcasses hanging from wooden racks to dry. Groups of kids with sharp knives and b****y smocks stood waiting for more cod heads to arrive. The job makes selling Girl Scout cookies or running a lemonade stand look like child’s play.
Rogers (from Documentary synopsis)
He gave us the most precious gift of all: the courage to be kind. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? reflects on Fred Rogers’ legacy of kindness, and the profound and lasting effect his innovative approach to television had on millions of children.
Hi, Kim! I just listened to your reads–you did a great job on all of them! Here are my notes for each:
Cool, Cool: I got the feeling of a kid’s education program from this read. The tone was playful, the “Waaa, waaa, waaa” bit gave a good chuckle, and I felt the sense of curiosity endowed in every word! Fantastic work!
Cod Heads: Personally, I don’t think the read is too fast and there is a satirical undertone, which works well for the copy. The main takeaway is that you drop words that could really use some emphasis (Islands, carcasses, and especially “child’s play”). Think about if a listener in the car or at home watching TV only half-listened to what you were saying. They would miss the specificity of the Lofoten Islands being exactly that. Carcasses will be implied by some listeners when they hear “headless fish,” but what if this was about headless fish dolls or headless fish shirts promoting a movie? You always want the listener to maintain full awareness of your subject even if they don’t fully tune in. For child’s play, it’s about making a strong ending–you don’t want to drop the last words because it drives the final point home in 99% (if not 100%) of scripts. Otherwise, it’s a solid read! Keep working at it! (Bonus points for staying on track even without perfectly following the copy!)
Rogers: A sweet read for sweet copy. Foundationally, it sounds good. You avoid making it sound sappy and it made the message more heartfelt and light. The burning questions I have here are: Who are you speaking to? Why do you want to tell them about Fred Rogers and his kindness? That will make this copy feel more natural as you read. The way you said “kind” felt awkward–almost as if you were stuck deciding between an uplifting, bubbly tone and a sweet, demure (for lack of a better term) tone. Just like with Cod Heads, don’t drop “children” at the end. Who did Fred Rogers’ innovation on television effect? Let your audience know the answer.
Overall, you did a great job! Cool, Cool is in a fantastic spot and the other two are on their way. Your diction is fantastic and I understood every word you said without needing to look at the copy! Your voice is also very clear and captures the moods of each piece!
Hi Kim! I love your tone of Cool Cool! Especially the playfulness of the trombone. Excellent!
I agree with Mark, that the Cod Heads read is very fast. Imagine you are having a conversation with someone to make it sound a bit more relaxed, and I think it’ll be great!
Good morning. Three very strong reads. I love the playfulness, especially of the trombone, on the first one. The tone for a young audience is perfect. I thought the second read was very fast. The Mr. Rogers piece was very sweet. It hit the right tone without being cloying. Throughout the reads, your diction was impeccable. The recording quality seemed a bit thin to this technically challenged ear. Nice job!
I’m overdue on finishing these, so I’m gonna fix that! This time, I have four reads: Three from adaptations I wrote myself and one from the script library. As always, criticism is highly appreciated and I thank you for your time!
Blaze Pizza (Original)
22… 23… 24… …this is the fourth time this week. How many cars will you count before your pizza’s ready? I think it’s time for Blaze Pizza! Choose from five different crust options, pick your sauce and toppings, and they’ll have it out to you in ten minutes! Trust me, the drive to Nicholasville Road is worth it!
AT&T 5G Adaptation (original comes from “Foam Finger” TV Commercial):
My oven? Reliable, but not fast. Keys? Secure, but not always reliable. And my car? Fast, but NOT secure! But thanks to AT&T’s 5G phone plan, I can connect fast, reliably, and securely with the rest of the world! Simple stuff! …please tell me that’s not my car.
Crumbl Cookies (Original):
Is fish pizza a thing? From what ocean are they getting these ideas? Unique…doesn’t always mean tasty. You wanna talk unique AND tasty? Let’s talk Crumbl Cookies! Find Crumbl Cookies next to Party City by Hamburg in Lexington, choose from four to five unique flavors that rotate every week, and get your sweet tooth on the line!
Alaska (Holland America):
Before you stand in Denali’s shadow, view moose up close, float down the Yukon, and marvel at Glacier Bay, you have to call Holland America. Our Alaska is not just a collection of sights. It’s feeling the Gold Rush come to life, floating downriver on our exclusive Yukon Queen. And a first glimpse of sky-splitting peaks from our spacious rail cars. To get started, simply ask for our free Alaska Planning Guide. It’s brimming with everything you need to plan your dream trip, from the friendliest, most knowledgeable staff in Alaska. Put the dream in motion today. The difference is Holland America.