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In virtually all forms of acting - stage, film, television, commercials, sitcoms, etc., you have actors and you have a story. With live-action, on-camera acting, it is a universal given that a director is required to ensure the story be told as effectively as possible, correct? If you were to replace the camera with a microphone, you would have; actors, a script, a story, and more often than not, someone who is not specifically trained in the art of directing actors.
How this same logic hasn't found its way to be as knee-jerk a reaction when it comes to voice acting is puzzling.
Here's my take.
Historically, these voiceovery people were, for the most part, a very small group comprised mostly of either "hand cupped over the ear" announcers, or "multi-voiced wonders" of animation. Of these varieties of "voices", they were perceived as just that - Voices. Not actors.
But in more recent years, with the advent of the "NON-ANNOUNCER" (most notably Mark Fenske with his very effective "C'mon... who we b*llshitt'n" approach) in advertising, and the onset in animation of shows with ACTUAL unique (and somewhat twisted) personalties, most notably Ren & Stimpy (John Kricfalusi), Beavis & Butthead (Mike Judge), and South Park (Trey Parker & Matt Stone), for the most part were vocally performed by the creators.
But when the obligatory bandwagon became filled to capacity with others who of course wanted in on this wonderful new 'thing', no one really knew how to do what these rather revolutionary pioneers had started. How to get that "sound".
Mainly, because it wasn't, and still isn't a "sound". They are characters with VERY specific, multi-dimensional personalities. Before the paradigm shift, as it were, Directors weren't really all that necessary because the voiceover talent pretty much did what they did, and that was all that was needed. But in this modern day and age, these styles are still perceived by many as "voices" and "sounds". Which they are most definetly NOT! They are acted characters with very specific personalities. Now days mostly performed by voice ACTORS. Not the historically traditional voiceover people.
It's completely understandable why the show's creators would like to direct the show themselves, but to communicate what they envision to an actor can be a little tricky if that creator is not skilled in communicating their vision to the actors.
THE VOICEOVER DIRECTOR
A Voiceover Director serves as a mediator/interpreter between the two most essential elements of any production — the creative team, and the actor. Ideally, they create a communicative link; translating the wants and needs of the creative into a language COMPLETELY understandable to the actor, provoking and guiding them to deliver those wants and needs naturally and organically (at times, damn near miraculously). An "Actor Whisperer" if you will. The language barrier becomes more of an anecdotal random occurrence. As opposed to recording sessiongs where, it seems, the language barrier is all too often the most advanced form of communication available. It's like using sign language to chat with the blind. Over-enunciating your native tongue at the top of your lungs to a foreigner.
This allows the majority of focus and attention to shift more toward things that help give anything in media a unique, specific style and personality — SUBTLETY and Nuance.
The powerful function and possibility subtlety and nuance can bring to a project can be a bit of a nebulous concept. Try thinking of it like the kind of impact the percussion section can have in music. Without it, you can have an excellent song, but if you add an egg-shaker or some maracas in the background... you can get laid. In other words, if it ain't broke — WORK IT!!! The connection a simple raised eyebrow can make is quite powerful. The fact that it's delivered vocally?
Mushroom cloud.
The right voiceover director, with a vast knowledge of pop- and sub-cultures, can translate to the actor the style and subtlety required of the character's 'voice', while also being savvy to the target audience. In order for your s how's specific personality to stand out, the director needs to know not only the forest and the trees, but how you want yours decorated, specifically.
I have been directing voice actors for over a decade, and I want to introduce myself to you and extend an offer for a consultation. I can improve the vocal aspects of your production. I am a troubleshooter and a problem solver. I can quickly see what inherent obstacles there may be in any script, as well as ways to overcome problems that may already be present in a production. I am about getting you the exact performances you want, quickly and painlessly, to portray the characters you and yours have worked so hard to develop.
It could be the difference between a project being an "Award nominated show", and being a "...hands down, stand alone, up-on-the-shoulders,trophy-to-the-sky,freeze-frame award winning show".
Your success, is my success.
ARTT BUTLER
VOICE DIRECTOR
818.225.7864 - 310.413.0609 - artt@arttworxvo.com
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