A Lesson in Understanding the Script

 

This is Part 1 of a 3 Part series full of techniques for converting ‘written language’ into perfect ‘spoken word’ language.

This one is about ‘problem solving’;  understanding the ‘purpose of the script’ and getting the ‘meaning’ right.

And because this a spoken word story, I’m going to deliver it to you via an audio file, so that you can hear what I mean.

And there’s one thing I want you to notice, as you listen to the audio and read along with me.  It’s that I’m reading from the blog script and endeavouring to make it sound as though I’m just making it up as I go along.

THIS is the ‘essential’ voiceover skill.

No matter what kind of script you’re reading or what story you’re telling, we need to believe you.  So, you need to understand exactly what you’re talking about.

Also, because I’m going to be giving you tips and techniques about marking up a script, if you’re able to print it out, or cut and past to a document so you’re able to mark it up, please do so.

So, let’s get going.  Click on the audio file and read along with me 😃

 

 

What Comes First

If you’ve had some voiceover experience, you’ll know that the first thing you do with a script is look at the language in the script and work it out what it’s all about.   I always call this bit ‘problem solving’.

Is there a word that you’ve never seen or heard before, or a name that you’re unsure of how to pronounce?  Is there any ambiguous language?  Is there anything you don’t understand?  Make notes 👌

I also want to add that there’s no such thing as a dumb question.  You need to understand everything.

So, once you’ve either looked things up or asked questions of the client or producer and ticked everything off that list, you’re ready to begin marking up the script to help guide your read.

Use a pencil and have an eraser with you in case you change your mind; or the producer does if you’re being directed. If you use a pen, and need to change that mark, you’ll be looking at a very messy script.

I often use a pencil to write a word that I would pronounce in a different way, phonetically.

This includes words like Data.  Is it Darta or Dayta?  The word Innovative.  Is it Innivitive or Innovaytive?

Often the producer will have a preference for pronunciation, and you need to remember what that was.

Writing it the way you need to say it, rather than spell it will help you get it right every time you come across that word.

If you don’t make a change on the page, it’s likely that you’ll get to that word and default to pronouncing it the way you would normally.

So, here’s the script.  I’m going to read it first just as it appears on the page.  It’ll sound clunky, but there’s a reason for that.  I want you to hear what it sounds like before I’ve understood what the script is actually saying.

Okay, here comes the script.  I’ll be reading it without placing any meaning on anything.  I’m  just wanting to ‘work out’ what’s going on with the language.

“Hello & Welcome to Distance Skills Academy

Distance Skills Academy is a leading and innovative lifelong learning partner.

It’s easy to enrol, just select the course category you are interested in, browse the courses on offer and choose which one suits you the best. You can opt for a career sampler course right the way through to advanced certificates.

When you are ready to enrol, simply click ENROL NOW, select the payment option that suits your needs and then add to cart.

You can finish your payment on the checkout page or go back to the homepage and keep shopping for more suitable courses. You can check out any time by clicking on the cart image at the top of each page.”

Mmmm!  On first read through it’s clear that this is a Non-commercial script.  It’s also audio visual.  And the visual that you’re looking at is of the screen that you’re taking those watching through.  It’s often called a Screencast and you will also very often either see a cursor moving across the page and pointing to certain areas, or certain things will be highlighted.

Okay, let’s have a look at the ‘problems’ with this script and work out how to manage them yourself, or ask questions about them.

Here’s another copy of the same script with some sections highlighted. 

“Hello & Welcome to Distance Skills Academy

Distance Skills Academy is a leading and innovative lifelong learning partner.

It’s easy to enrol, just select the course category you are interested in, browse the courses on offer and choose which one suits you best. You can opt for a career sampler course right through to advanced certificates.

When you are ready to enrol, simply click ENROL NOW, select the payment option that suits your needs and then add to cart.

You can finish your payment on the checkout page or go back to the homepage and keep shopping for more suitable courses. You can check out any time by clicking on the cart image at the top of each page.”

 

So, that was Part one of my 3 Part series on understanding script techniques and how to approach scripts.

Looking forward to the next one.

Happy Voiceovering!!