Major Project: Writing the Voice Over

As we have had people auditioning for the part of Narrator/ Voice Over, I decided to write some samples for them to read to us during their audition. I looked at voiceovers for other mockumentary style programs such as 'Twenty twelve' and 'The Office'. I found that the narrator nearly always takes on a serious role and is used as if they were talking about a real documentary which is focusing on serious issues. I quite liked the idea of the narrator contradicting every visual we see, up-selling the situation for something it really isn't.

I also like the idea of using a lot of statistics and figures within our VO's. This makes it very factual in reference to the visuals we are seeing. I did some research for some facts and figures about tea and coffee which i thought would be suitable for Margo's. I found some useful numbers which I was able to put into my VO samples, and also came across a great find - 'Warburtons Great British Breakfast Report'. This had some great statistics that we can use for our VO's and also some funny and unusual facts about british breakfast habits. This is perfect for the feel we want to get across from our narrator.

Here are some of the VO samples which I wrote for our applicants to read at their auditions...

"In 2012 us brits spent £730 million on coffee. This morning, Guy is about to serve just one of the 400 billion cups consumed on the planet each year."

"Guy has known Mandy for over 5 years. He moved from London last year and has been working in Margo’s ever since. His dream is to become a West End Superstar and graduated from Drama school with a degree in the Creative arts and specialized in Theatrical dance."

"Mandy has owned Margo’s for the last 7 years. She has two children, Charlie who’s 23 and Jessica who is 21. She lives at home in Kent with her husband Ian and their two cats, Winston and Boyce."

"Sophie started work in Margo’s back in May. She is currently studying for her degree in social economics and is predicted a first. Her favorite food is macaroni cheese and has been a grade 6 piano player since the age of 14."

"Statistically, Liverpudlians are the biggest toast eaters in the UK, people from Leeds are more likely to eat porridge for breakfast, and Londoners eat more fresh fruit in the morning than anywhere else. It’s 9.43 at Margo’s and Mandy is already onto her fourth loaf of bread, her 9^th bottle of milk and has already finished off a whole jar of apricot jam."

After hearing the many different styles and accents these could be read in at the auditions, we have found someone suitable for Margo's who has a great voice. Both Melissa and I agreed that we had found our VO artist as soon as they left their audition.