What’s Different About a Good Audiobook Narrator?
August 27, 2008
(vs. other voice-over actors)?
Just like a good doctor, a trusted lawyer or an inspirational music teacher, a good audiobook narrator is hard to find.
So what it that makes these “good” narrators so elusive and what makes them any different from the thousands of voice actors listed online?
Simply put, there are a number of elements that go into the preparation and recording of an audiobook - some that are obvious and many that are tucked away between the pages. Audiobook narration is a specialty skill and a herculean effort that comes with a lot of heavy lifting, presenting heightened demands unmatched in other niches of voice acting.
When it comes to narrating audiobooks you need a good storyteller who is…
- is capable of going the long haul,
- is dedicated to the project, and
- has invested themselves fully to the telling of the tale
Narrating audiobooks is a marathon that requires the ultimate balancing act of artistic and technical endurance coupled with the ability to continuously suspend the audiences’ disbelief.
Here’s 10 skills a good audiobook narrator will be able to display:
- Engage the listener
- Make and keep a contract with the listener to suspend their disbelief
- Give a consistent performance
- Have intuitive timing
- Develop multiple convincing and separate character voices
- Be an authentic narrator with an independent voice
- Interpret the author’s intent
- Transport the listener to a different time and place
- Maintain a solid presence
- Bring the story to life
Those 10 criteria, when matched, will ensure that your audiobook has a not only good, but great narrator, and by virtue of that fact, will assure that your audience connects with the story, relates to the characters and has full confidence in the narrator’s ability to captivate, amuse and delight.
[...] About the author Stephanie Ciccarelli is the Vice President of Marketing and co-founder of Voices.com, the voice over marketplace. Stephanie translates years of classical music training, theory and performance into practical applications within the voice over industry. For more info on Audiobook Voice Narrators, and what makes them different, visit Audiobook Voice Talent [...]
[...] About the author Stephanie Ciccarelli is the Vice President of Marketing and co-founder of Voices.com, the voice over marketplace. Stephanie translates years of classical music training, theory and performance into practical applications within the voice over industry. For more info on Audiobook Voice Narrators, and what makes them different, visit Audiobook Voice Talent [...]
[...] About the author Stephanie Ciccarelli is the Vice President of Marketing and co-founder of Voices.com, the voice over marketplace. Stephanie translates years of classical music training, theory and performance into practical applications within the voice over industry. For more info on Audiobook Voice Narrators, and what makes them different, visit Audiobook Voice Talent [...]
[...] About the author Stephanie Ciccarelli is the Vice President of Marketing and co-founder of Voices.com, the voice over marketplace. Stephanie translates years of classical music training, theory and performance into practical applications within the voice over industry. For more info on Audiobook Voice Narrators, and what makes them different, visit Audiobook Voice Talent [...]
[...] About the author Stephanie Ciccarelli is the Vice President of Marketing and co-founder of Voices.com, the voice over marketplace. Stephanie translates years of classical music training, theory and performance into practical applications within the voice over industry. For more info on Audiobook Voice Narrators, and what makes them different, visit Audiobook Voice Talent [...]
[...] About the author Stephanie Ciccarelli is the Vice President of Marketing and co-founder of Voices.com, the voice over marketplace. Stephanie translates years of classical music training, theory and performance into practical applications within the voice over industry. For more info on Audiobook Voice Narrators, and what makes them different, visit Audiobook Voice Talent [...]
[...] About the author Stephanie Ciccarelli is the Vice President of Marketing and co-founder of Voices.com, the voice over marketplace. Stephanie translates years of classical music training, theory and performance into practical applications within the voice over industry. For more info on Audiobook Voice Narrators, and what makes them different, visit Audiobook Voice Talent [...]
[...] the original post: What’s Different About a Good Audiobook Narrator? Tags: affect, audio-book, audiobook-voice, entertainment, helpful-resources, narrator, [...]
[...] About the author Stephanie Ciccarelli is the Vice President of Marketing and co-founder of Voices.com, the voice over marketplace. Stephanie translates years of classical music training, theory and performance into practical applications within the voice over industry. For more info on Audiobook Voice Narrators, and what makes them different, visit Audiobook Voice Talent [...]