Most of us have heard voice over production techniques used at some time in our lives, if we have been to the movies, watched television, listened to radio or been to the theatre. The technique is used in a variety of different contexts and in different media. This article will try to outline what the technique is, and when you are likely to encounter it.
Voice over is often also described as being 'off camera commentary', a helpful term in explaining what it actually is. It is where a voice provides additional explanation and narrative detail, without actually being part of the action. The technical term for this kind of sound is that it is 'non-diagetic', in other words, it is not a direct part of the world of the film or television programme, but exists outside of it.
Of course, the technique is not limited to films, or to television productions. The technique is used frequently in live theatre productions, where the voice over can be spoken by an actor who is off-stage. It is even possible to use some off-stage narration of this kind in radio productions, if the director is skilled enough to make it sound like it is not part of the events of the play.
One of the more common usages of the technique, and somewhere where you are likely to have encountered it, is at the beginning of a film. Narration of this kind is often used to establish context for the audience, to introduce them to the thoughts and motivations of characters, or to provide additional framing for events in the story. 'Film noir' is one genre where it is common, and often resembles the first person narration popular with authors of crime and thrillers.
On other occasions, the technique may be used as a means of flashback, with a character looking back on events which might have occurred years before, but are set to take place in the film. If the technique is used in this way, it often gives the audience greater insight into the motivations of characters. It can be voiced by the same actor as plays the character in the film, or is sometimes voiced by a different actor, helping with the sense of looking back at events which took place in the past, in a different context.
The usual way in which this technique is utilised is for the voice over to be recorded and added to the film during the production process. Obviously, this cannot be done with theatre or live radio performance though. Some producers in live theatre may pre-record some off-stage narration though, simply to be expedient.
Television is where many of us will have heard this technique used most often though, and it is typical of documentaries to use it. It can help to fill out details which are not shown on screen, and to provide an audience with more context. Wildlife documentaries in particular, with their focus on animal behaviour, utilise the technique frequently.
It can therefore be seen that voice over production is a commonly used technique. It allows film makers and other artists to add depth to their project, and to reinforce the narrative or plot. Sometimes voiced by specialists, the technique has a long history of use in the movies and other narrative art forms.
Voice over is often also described as being 'off camera commentary', a helpful term in explaining what it actually is. It is where a voice provides additional explanation and narrative detail, without actually being part of the action. The technical term for this kind of sound is that it is 'non-diagetic', in other words, it is not a direct part of the world of the film or television programme, but exists outside of it.
Of course, the technique is not limited to films, or to television productions. The technique is used frequently in live theatre productions, where the voice over can be spoken by an actor who is off-stage. It is even possible to use some off-stage narration of this kind in radio productions, if the director is skilled enough to make it sound like it is not part of the events of the play.
One of the more common usages of the technique, and somewhere where you are likely to have encountered it, is at the beginning of a film. Narration of this kind is often used to establish context for the audience, to introduce them to the thoughts and motivations of characters, or to provide additional framing for events in the story. 'Film noir' is one genre where it is common, and often resembles the first person narration popular with authors of crime and thrillers.
On other occasions, the technique may be used as a means of flashback, with a character looking back on events which might have occurred years before, but are set to take place in the film. If the technique is used in this way, it often gives the audience greater insight into the motivations of characters. It can be voiced by the same actor as plays the character in the film, or is sometimes voiced by a different actor, helping with the sense of looking back at events which took place in the past, in a different context.
The usual way in which this technique is utilised is for the voice over to be recorded and added to the film during the production process. Obviously, this cannot be done with theatre or live radio performance though. Some producers in live theatre may pre-record some off-stage narration though, simply to be expedient.
Television is where many of us will have heard this technique used most often though, and it is typical of documentaries to use it. It can help to fill out details which are not shown on screen, and to provide an audience with more context. Wildlife documentaries in particular, with their focus on animal behaviour, utilise the technique frequently.
It can therefore be seen that voice over production is a commonly used technique. It allows film makers and other artists to add depth to their project, and to reinforce the narrative or plot. Sometimes voiced by specialists, the technique has a long history of use in the movies and other narrative art forms.
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