Some voicing tips…
I wanted to just pass along a few tips about voicing do’s and don’ts that have helped me over the past 25 years. Connecting to your audience is paramount! It sounds corny, but when you’re reading a script, imagine talking to ONE person, imagined or real. We listen as individuals, not as groups , so you’re going to connect with ALL your listeners if you read to ONE person. If you are able to, the best time to voice a script is in the morning. That’s when your voice is at it’s best. It has rested all night and your vocal chords are nice and tight. As the day goes on and you talk more you’ll find that your voice will change. Never drink coffee or milk just before you voice anything..the coffee will dry your mouth out and milk will give you undesirable pops and clicks in your words. Always have a bottle of water with you and I find that a bite from a green granny smith apple just before you start will get your mouth in just the right shape to voice something. I don’t pretend to know the science behind this, an old pro told me this trick, I tried it and it works! Finally, if you are able to, stand up when voicing, this frees up your diaphragm, and you'll be getting your voice from the "right" spot. Put your copy or script on a music stand so your hands can be free to move around when you talk. Most people talk with their hands, and you’ll find that your read will be more believable and your listeners will enjoy it more. Finally, in regards to pronunciation, a web site I rely on heavily is Merriam Webster’s. You can type in a word and you can click on a little icon to hear how the word is properly pronounced. The address is http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Jud Niven