If you’re a new to voice overs, this may not have happened to you yet. But it will!
It will happen to you that you’ll get a call from a repeat client to come into the studio and voice a script really quickly. You will assume that you’re going to voice something along the same lines as a previous project, whether you normally do narrations or commercials for them. You walk into the studio with those expectations only to be handed a script about something different entirely — something you may not feel right about voicing because of your personal views or morals.
What do you do when you’re asked to voice a part you aren’t comfortable reading for moral reasons?
Knowing how to handle the voice jobs you don’t feel good about reading will help you deliver the goods. Handling the situation gracefully will prevent you from burning bridges, and your clients will respect your professionalism in the long run.
Mel Allen, a Voice Coach & Producer for Such A Voice, is one such talent who was thrown off guard by a client he had done a lot of work for. Mel tells the story:
“I knew they had recently been fined by the EPA for illegal dumping, and I was handed the script in the studio. It was a two-minute narration piece that I wasn’t comfortable reading, but I didn’t feel like I could back out. At that point, I had to weigh which was more important — my word that I would do the job (even though I hadn’t seen the script beforehand) or my moral disagreement with the piece.”
So, what did he do? “I completed the project for them, but after I finished it I told the producer that I wouldn’t voice a project like that in the future.”
The producers ended up admitting that they weren’t fans of the script either, and they respected him for his honestly. Because Mel handled the situation with tact and professionalism, he actually ended up getting more work from them after that — and it was all work he felt morally comfortable voicing.
Mel says, “I learned from this experience, and ever since then I have made sure not to agree to voice a project without seeing the script beforehand.”
When you are confronted by this situation, try getting into character for the piece. This will require you to genuinely act the part. Become the character who would get behind the script with sincerity. If you can’t do this, you may realize that you’re an excellent voice talent, but not a great voice actor. Only time will show you which on you are.
Such A Voice currently offers first step voice over classes in locations all over the US. Visit us today to sign-up and start on your path to getting paying voice over jobs with your speaking voice.