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  • #15468
    David Goldberg
    Edge Studio Staff

    Hi! Upload your recordings, and get feedback from your peers!

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  • #60135
    kfvoice
    Participant

    Hi everyone!

    Here is a Documentary/eLearning/Internet Audio script (not from the library), that I put together for practice.

    All feedback is appreciated.

    Thanks, Kathy

    Snowy Owls

    Unlike many other owls, Snowy owls are not nocturnal, and can be seen hunting any time of the day or night. Consider yourself lucky if you spot one though, because these owls tend to inhabit places where humans don’t live.

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    • #60209
      mkell755
      Participant

      Hi Kathy! Good job! I liked this read. The pace and clarity were good, but it did not flow as well as many I have heard from you, not sure how to pinpoint that. I heard an extra “at” after “hunting”. “Hunting” sounded more like “hunning” to me too, but I think it might sound unnatural if you over-enunciated it. Keep it up!

      Mary

      • #60221
        kfvoice
        Participant

        Hi Mary!

        Good catch with the extra word! I didn’t even notice, lol. This was not my best read, I agree. That first sentence did have quite a few “t’s”… my first recording was just awful, lol.

        Thanks again!

        Kathy

    • #60175
      BrianWigginsVO
      Participant

      OK, so to kind of echo what Robert said, this really sound “read”. There were a lot of glottal stops and pauses that took the flow out of it, possibly from either over-enunciating words or trying to put too much emphasis on them. (I get called on this by my coaches on a regular basis, putting in pauses at places that don’t need them.)

      In a few places, specifically “hunting” (sounded like “hunning”) and “consider” (sounded like “consinner”), the words were under-enunciated.

      1) Try to make the read flow without the pauses and stops. (Don’t put commas in where there aren’t any, like between “day or night”.)
      2) Who is this being read to? Why are you saying these words? Finding the intention will definitely help with the performance. (Believe me, I struggle with this constantly, it’s not easy, bu keep working at it!)

      • #60220
        kfvoice
        Participant

        Thanks for the feedback, Brian! I really appreciate it!

        I understand what you are pointing out. It definitely needs to flow better. As you say, it can be a struggle at times.

        Thanks again!

        Kathy

    • #60139
      Robert Broussard
      Participant

      Hi, Not too bad. It did not seem as natural as most of your other reads. The script was good.

      • #60149
        kfvoice
        Participant

        Thanks, Robert, for the feedback! Noted!

        Kathy

  • #60129
    AliciaMC
    Participant

    This is practice for my demo. Any constructive feedback is welcomed!

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    • #60250
      Eunice LaLanne
      Participant

      Greetings Alicia! Ooh, this whole read sounded really nice! The only minor thing I heard was in the last sentence, there was almost like an awkward pause between “with secret” and “keep it fresh everyday”. But other than that, you hit all the key words and tempo, pitch, and volume were great!

    • #60210
      mkell755
      Participant

      Hi Alicia! Great read! This is a really good genre for you. The pacing and clarity were great and it sold the product well. Good job!

      Mary

    • #60158
      kfvoice
      Participant

      Very good read, Alicia! Your tone, pitch, and pace were well done. Keep it up! — Kathy

  • #60109
    GJS
    Participant

    Hello Folks! The following are three Narration Homework Scripts: #1. Corporate Explainer – AIG, #2. Documentary – About Horror and #3. E Learning – Space Game.

    #1. Narration Corporate Explainer – AIG
    The Greatest Risk Is Not Taking One. They gave up everything. Their families. Their friends. Their homes. The villages they were born in. They arrived with only the clothes on their backs. Vulnerable. Scared. But brimming with hope and determined that a better life was within their grasp. Today, risk takers don’t have to go after their dreams alone. They can rely on a business partner to help them through uncharted waters. An organization with unsurpassed insight and financial resources. One with the ability and flexibility to design specific solutions to help minimize risk for almost any business undertaking. So the next time you decide to venture into new territory for an idea you believe in, call AIG. We’re best equipped to help you manage the uncertainties that go along with the pursuit of hopes and dreams.
    #2. Narration Documentary – ABOUT HORROR
    Take a trip back to a time when late night creature features were all the rage and the personalities that presented them were just as popular as the movies.
    Beginning in the 1950s, the horror fest was a staple of regional television. From ghouls to vampires – to werewolves and crypt keepers – every host had a persona to suit their unique personalities.
    #3. Narration E-Learning – CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL SPACE GAME
    Today we’re going to explore all of the planets in our solar system and some other places as well. We’ll travel into the future when astronauts live throughout the solar system. On each world we’ll see what the weather is like, what we would wear, and what we would do to have fun! Grab your oxygen, put on your seatbelt, and let’s blast off!
    Thanks in advance for any input!

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    • #60307
      mkell755
      Participant

      Hi GJS, great reads! Your voice is really nice, warm, and rich and seems really well-suited for these commercials. Really nice clarity and pacing for all 3.
      Script 1: Good read but maybe a tiny bit slow overall
      Script 2: I like this one the best, and I liked the variation in the characters (ghouls, vampires, etc.). This sounded really authentic for you
      Script 3: This was good, with good variation in the lists and having a ton that would appeal to kids.

      Overall really good!

      Mary

    • #60176
      BrianWigginsVO
      Participant

      Love the gravitas of your voice. I’m envious.

      #1…I’m not sure of the intention here. There is a vivid word picture being painted here, but I’m not sure it’s coming through. Your delivery is good, I get the idea that this is supposed to be big and momentous, but I’m not sure why. May just need a little polish on the intention.

      #2 was, by far, my favorite, especially when you hit your stride in the second sentence…that’s fun! If there’s a way to bring that same level of interest in the first sentence, man, you’ll have knocked this one out of the part.

      #3 was nice to listen to, and it definitely sounded like you were playing to children, so right on, but I almost want to hear more of a sense of wonder about this. This is some cool stuff you’re talking about, especially with what we now know and what is possibly going to happen within our (or the kids that are hearing this) lifetimes.

    • #60140
      Robert Broussard
      Participant

      The best in order 3,2, & 1. Three seemed the most natural. 2 was good and the variations in your voice reading the Ghouls, vampires etc, was really good. #1 did not seem to flow natural as the others. The tempo was a little slow. Over all good though!

    • #60118
      katelyndawnvo
      Participant

      Hi! I think you have a very charming, warm and inviting voice. I think your enthusiasm in the kids eLearning was very sweet. One thing i noticed throughout was very careful pacing. To make it sound more natural and conversational you can pick up the pace. Note how you speak in conversations with people, we don’t carefully pace what we are saying. It might help if you have your specific listener in mind and imagine you are speaking with them in a conversation. Great work! 🙂

      • #60119
        GJS
        Participant

        Thanks Katelyndawnny for the excellent feedback! I absolutely hear what you are saying about the pacing. I have other takes that are both, quicker and more casual. I kept going back to these takes thinking the others were flat. I need to find a middle ground with pacing; I’m either a bit to fast, or in this case, overly cautious. Much appreciated!

  • #60103
    RYoung
    Participant

    I enjoy doing narration of fiction, stories etc. I did this one last year and added some effects this time!
    Merry Christmas to all!

    THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
    by Clement Clarke Moore
    or Henry Livingston

    ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

    Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

    The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

    In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

    The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

    While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

    And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

    Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,

    When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

    I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

    Away to the window I flew like a flash,

    Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

    The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

    Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

    When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

    But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

    With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

    I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

    More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

    And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

    “Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and V***n!

    On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

    To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

    Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

    As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

    When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

    So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

    With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

    And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

    The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

    As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

    Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

    He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

    And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

    A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

    And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

    His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

    His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

    His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

    And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

    The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

    And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

    He had a broad face and a little round belly,

    That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

    He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

    And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

    A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

    Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

    He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

    And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

    And laying his finger aside of his nose,

    And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

    He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

    And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

    But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

    “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

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    • #60387
      mkell755
      Participant

      Hi RYoung, I missed this the other day. Great reading! I echo was others have said in that some of the words were not exact to the script, “Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,” was “Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap” for example and some of the lines sounded more like questions than statements, but you have a very good voice for this genre and it sounded really good overall.

      This is one of those scripts that you have to get exactly right in my opinion because many of us have known it by heart for MANY years. Kind of like a Beatles song – do not attempt unless you are a master singer, or risk being criticized more so than typical 🙂 Thanks for posting!

      Mary

    • #60164
      RYoung
      Participant

      Thanks everyone for your nice comments and words. In regard to inflecting upward it’s more of a higher pitch to the last word in the sentence than a question mark LOL. It can also be relative whereas in the middle of a sentence your pitch may go high and relatively the last word is lower in pitch than the highest sounding word in the sentence, however it’s not necessarily a question. It can get monotone sounding if you’re even or lower in pitch on all your ending words if that makes sense.

    • #60157
      kfvoice
      Participant

      Wow, awesome job on this long read, R! Your voice is perfect for this kind of script!

      I echo what others have said. My feedback is that I noticed you changed a line, left out, or flipped a word with some lines.

      These are the ones I noticed.

      Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap, — (you said “had just settled our brains”)
      As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, — (left out “dry”)
      He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, — (you flipped the words, and said, “in all”)
      And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; — (you said “on”)
      He had a broad face and a little round belly, … (you flipped the words, and said, “round little”)

    • #60142
      Robert Broussard
      Participant

      Wow, that was awesome. You lifted the words to life off the page. The only suggestion I would give is the background music was slightly a little loud drowning out your voice just a hair.

    • #60114
      katelyndawnvo
      Participant

      Very nice work with your sound effects and read! Overall I think this suits you very nicely. Be conscious of your inflection on the ends of your sentences going up like a question mark, for a few examples these lines ended with an inflection going up like a question:
      “In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there?”
      “Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below?”
      “And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name?”
      I think you did really well on this, nice work! 🙂 You should send it to all the kids you know for Christmas!

      • This reply was modified 4 years, 3 months ago by katelyndawnvo.
    • #60108
      RYoung
      Participant

      Sorry forgot to mention that the read is broken down into two parts, thanks!

  • #60100

    Back for some practice for my commercial demo! Feedback is much appreciated, thanks!

    Sprout Computer from HP
    Hands have always done amazing things. They can bring imagination to life, save a life, and change the world. We believe all hands can do something extraordinary, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll do with yours. Roll up your sleeves and create like never before on Sprout, the new touchscreen desktop from HP.

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    • #60141
      Robert Broussard
      Participant

      Very good!

    • #60113
      katelyndawnvo
      Participant

      Nice read! I think your pacing and variation in pitch are nice and I think the sentences flow well.

    • #60106
      RYoung
      Participant

      Great job Gabe, your realistic delivery sounds good to me! Careful of the mic, you made a hit on it once, good luck with your demo.

  • #60085
    Robert Broussard
    Participant

    Trying something a little different.

    Dear G*d, So far today, I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped and I haven’t lost my temper. I haven’t been grumpy, nasty, or selfish. But in a few minutes, G*d, I’m going to get out of bed and that is when I’m going to need a lot of help. Amen

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    • #60211
      mkell755
      Participant

      Hi Robert! This is great, I love the authenticity in your voice. Very good!

      Mary

    • #60156
      kfvoice
      Participant

      Hi Robert!

      Good read! Did you intend to stutter on the second “I” in your second sentence? It had a nice effect. I also noticed in the last sentence you said “that’s” as opposed to “that is“. However, while I think it had a more natural feel to the read, be mindful not to change the script for an audition. Minor detail.

      — Kathy

      • #60217
        Robert Broussard
        Participant

        Thanks, You are right I do sometimes read the words and speak them how I would talk some. I will have to be extra careful for that.

    • #60087
      Dante M.
      Participant

      You have THE voice for that script. I would cast you for the role for sure.

  • #60079
    Hulykulani
    Participant

    Hello you fine VO folks!

    I’m back again with some more commercial VO homework. Please let me know what you think, what my strengths are, what I need to work on/tune my ear better for when editing and reviewing my own commercial work!

    The scripts for the three are as follows:
    E-Class
    A car that can actually see like a human. Using stereoscopic cameras and even stop itself if it has to. The technology may be hard to imagine, but why you would want it, is not. The 2020 E-class. It doesn’t just see the future…

    KerryGold
    It’s more than luck that brings people together. KerryGold, pure Irish butter. Made with milk from grass-fed cows that graze on the lush pastures of Ireland.

    Nike
    It’s a mindset. A focus. A deep seated spirit. It’s an inner strength to keep your feet planted firmly on the ground, no matter what presses against you. It’s confidence. It’s belief. It’s a way of life. It’s Nike.

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    • #60155
      kfvoice
      Participant

      HI there! Here is my feedback. I hope it helps! – Kathy

      Overall, tighten up the reads on the first two scripts — don’t pause so long between sentences.

      Script 1: I have found the Merriam-Webster website useful in double checking pronunciation of words, like for example, your read of stereoscopic. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stereoscopic)

      Script 3: I felt this was the best read. I would play around with the delivery of “It’s Nike“, with the emphasis on Nike. That is what you are selling, so billboard the word to make it stand out more (kind of like you did with E Class).

    • #60107
      RYoung
      Participant

      Hi there, I enjoy your voice especially the Nike read. However I believe you have too many pauses in your reads, try and connect the lines more without treating each line like a statement, if that makes sense. Keep it up!

  • #60071
    mkell755
    Participant

    Hello everyone! Here is a recording for your review, done in my closet on phone. Any and all feedback would be great! I was going for a conversational but calm tone here. I’ve heard VRBO pronounced as “verbo” but I decided to spell it out “V R B O”. I think it could go either way. Thank you!

    Mary

    VRBO
    This is the checkers game where grandson and grandad will bond. This is the pool where cannonball records will be broken. And this is the kitchen where the new boyfriend will unofficially become family. These are the VRBO vacation homes waiting for you to fill with your family. Your Together Awaits. Find it with VRBO.

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    • #60154
      kfvoice
      Participant

      Nice read and sound, Mary! In your third sentence there was a slight micro-pause mid-sentence. Overall, good job!

      I hope this helps!

      Kathy

      • #60198
        mkell755
        Participant

        Thanks for the feedback Kathy! Yes, I hear that pause now, thanks for noticing that, much appreciated. Thanks!

        Mary

    • #60083
      Robert Broussard
      Participant

      Nice read Mary.

      • #60199
        mkell755
        Participant

        Thanks for listening Robert!

        Mary

  • #60069
    katelyndawnvo
    Participant

    Hi guys! Here is an audio tour narration piece I’m working on with my coach for my upcoming demo. It is about the Titanic Museum (freaking loved it) anyways, any feedback is appreciated! I’m sorry I have to run after I upload but will be back tomorrow to provide comments on other posts as well. 🙂

    Katelyn

    TITANIC
    Welcome aboard the Titanic museum self-guided tour. You will experience various exhibits and learn about the ship, its passengers and crew. Admire the grand staircase, view cabins, and encounter real artifacts, while gaining insight into one of the most famous shipwrecks in history.

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    • #60124
      GJS
      Participant

      Very welcoming, friendly and clear tone. Nice read indeed!

    • #60084
      Robert Broussard
      Participant

      Very good.

    • #60074
      mkell755
      Participant

      Hi Katelyn! Good work! I love the clarity in your voice and the pacing throughout. You sounded authentically interested in the topic and eager to tell others about it. Very good!

      Mary

  • #60061
    Dante M.
    Participant

    Good evening everyone! This time around I have 3 scripts. The first 2 are corporate explainer videos with different themes, while the third one is a documentary narration. I feel like I did the best on the first one and the worst on the second one. Don’t hold back with criticism!

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    • #60126
      GJS
      Participant

      Overall, it sounds great! Very nice tone and I heard you change it up a bit on all three pieces, which indicates range. Agree on the pronunciation of Aetna as “eht-na,” and I liked best the #3 . . . I was ready for a documentary!

    • #60088
      Robert Broussard
      Participant

      Overall good read. I agree with Mary on the insurance company name.

    • #60075
      mkell755
      Participant

      Hi Dante! Good work. You have a very nice smooth and clear voice that is well-suited for all 3 of these scripts.

      Script 1: This may be a regional thing, but I have only heard “Aetna” pronounced as “eht-na”, like the e in everywhere or Ezra (kindof). I have not heard your pronunciation , which sounded more to me like “eight-na”, as in number 8. Good pacing and tone.

      Script 2: Data plex – very good! You sounded very familiar with this script and so it flowed very nicely.

      Script 3: Great adjustment to reflect the serious tone for the topic. Very natural and conversational.

      I think I like 2, 3, then 1, but really all are good! Keep it up!

      Mary

      • #60078
        Dante M.
        Participant

        Thank you very much for the feedback! I appreciate it.

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