By Paul Liberti

I recently watched a demo coach direct a voice actor to give “one feeling” during a piece of commercial copy. That is the obvious mistake that many voice actors and less experienced coaches make. The reality is that you have to change during your copy. Even with just a line or two.

RESOLVE THE CONFLICT

There is always constriction of thought – or conflict – and a release. For example, try the line: “I have a headache. I took an aspirin and now I feel better.”

Many actors would read that with a sense of satisfied relief. But you don’t sell the product that way. You need to play the conflict and the release.

TRY IT AGAIN …

For example, constrict your eyebrows and say, “I have a headache.”

Begin to relax your brow and say, “… so I took and aspirin.”

Now relax and widen your eyes and say, “… and now I feel better.”

PLAY THEM BOTH

Commercial copy is always about conflict and resolution. Play them both if you are given the chance to do so! Commercial copy has to change. It does not have only one feeling!

Paul will be co-leading Book It! Professional Voice Over Tune Up! beginning March 24. Click here to learn more about New York acting classes.

If you missed Paul’s class but are interested in New York VO classes, explore the listings found under our Classes tab at the top of the page.