
Words...words...words. Essential Voice Over Jargon
Jargon
As a coach and individual who has been in this industry for a long (...long) time. I often forget that it has its own language. I’ll use words or phrases with someone and the look I get resembles a combination emoji with the hand on the chin and a furrowed brow. I am certain I will continue to get that look from my students (if you’ve ever studied with me, you know what I’m talking about) but it’ll be because I’m wacky and possibly...even...a bit...embarrasing. (heehee!). I'm sorry (no, I'm not)
Below is a very brief overview in three sections:
1. Studio jargon
2. Acting jargon
3. Business jargon
STUDIO:
1. DAW - Digital Audio Workspac
Your DAW is the software in which you record, edit and mix
2. Microphone - (I know...y’all are like...um...we KNOW this one)
Dynamic mic - two categories (ribbon and moving coil) - made to withstand high pressure. Less sensitive
Condenser - more sensitive. Used to capture higher and lower frequencies
3. Audio Interface
The device in which all your input and output will run
4. Pre-amp
Amplifies the signal from the mic (some audio interfaces have pre-amps built in)
5. Signal
Any sound that is meant to be listened to
6. Bitrate
The number of bits transferred over a period of time. The higher the bitrate, the higher the audio quality (sure...we’ll go with that)
7. Room treatment
Acoustic treatment of the space the actor records. Absorb, diffuse and reflect sound waves
BUSINESS:
1. Session Fee (or BFS - Basic Studio Fee)
The cost of doing business
2. Usage
The clients right to use the work performed in an agreed upon time frame
3.In perpetuity
Allowing the client to use the work performed without a time frame (they own it forever!!!)
4. Wild Line
When a client wants multiple versions of the line (usually in threes)
5. ISDN, SourceConnect, ipDTL
Voice and data services. ISDN is a phone line, the rest are web applications
6. Pick up
Re-recording a section of copy
7. Slate
Saying your name for an audition
ACTING:
1. Objective
What the character wants in a scene
2. Ad-lib
Improvisation
3. Actions/Intentions
The verbs used to fulfill what the actor wants
4. Cold reading
Unfamiliar material read for the first time
5. Conflict
The obstacles (struggles) that get in the way of the acting getting what they want
6. Methods
Different acting techniques (Chekov, Meisner, Hagen, Stanislavski, Strasberg, etc)
7. Stakes
Consequences for achieving or not achieving the objective
So! There ya have it. A very (VERY) brief summary of some of the language you may come across in your pursuits towards voice over dominance!!