Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Voiceover?

A Voiceover (VO) is a recording of a script.  It may be a narration for a promotional DVD or a “character portrayal” for a radio or television commercial.

A VO can also be a Greeting or Message on a VOIP or telephone system.

A VO can enhance a website, impacting on the browser the key message of your website. 

Where can I get a Voiceover done?

Right here, using professional equipment and in a background-noise free environment.

We undertake voiceovers for any and every use.  We are versatile to your requirements and the format you require.

We have a “stable” of voice talent available, ranging in age and style, male and female.  

What does a Voiceover cost?

A VO can cost heaps especially if you opt for a celebrity or actor to endorse your product. But realistically, a VO need not cost more than what you would pay any other professional for their time and service, and on a minimum one hour basis.

A deposit of 50% is required for first time customers upon agreement to record the Voiceover. The balance of the Payment is upon receipt of VO, direct to Bank, PayPal or Moneybookers account.  

Who will do my Voiceover?

We have a “stable” of voice talent available, ranging in age and style, from cartoon and character to Corporate.  Male and female.  We even have some talented youngsters and teens in our stable.

What is "spoken English" and New Zealand English?

NZ English is the just ordinary English, but with a New Zealand accent, which is a neutral accent.  

Scripts "written" in formal English or copied straight from the newspaper or a book, may not flow well when spoken out loud as a script.  The spoken language has subtle differences that allow it to flow off the tongue fluently.  Scripts that are to be spoken and recorded should be read out aloud before being finalised and approved.  

What is the next step?

Contact us via email voiceover@jonhogan.co.nz or NZ mobile phone 027 64 90 987  - international caller, the New Zealand pre-fix is +64. 

When will my VO be ready?

Once the approved script has been received we will generally have the VO back to you within 24 hours.  Any revisions or re-takes will be done over the following 24 hours.  The more prepared you are with the script and resources, the quicker and more effectively we can turn the project around.

Payment in full is upon receipt of the VO, either direct to Bank, PayPal or Moneybookers account, or by some other pre-arranged means. We require this so we are able to keep our fees minimal and to make our Voiceover as affordable as possible.
  

Last revised: 22 January 2012  
 

What does recording a Voiceover involve ?

I always recommend reading through each and every script a minimum of three times. Once for familiarity - and regardless of the stutters and stumbles of a "first-read", read it through from beginning to end each time. Do not keep rehearsing just the beginning over and over, you must read trough to the end..

A second run through gives you the timing and struture of each line and every paragraph. This unsderstanding serves for a more familiarity with the script.

On the third read you'll be good to record, and because you know the script, it will flow off your tongue more naturally - as if it is being spoaken, not read.

There will more than likely be "pick-ups" throughout the read - where the voice talent has a dry throat, or a bit of spit hits the microphone - so a second take needs to be done (and later, edited as well).  There may also be sections where the voice taklents can see different interpretations of the same phrase, so may decide to offer an alternative "read".

All of which adds up to a one minute VO taking longer than 1 minute to record.