I love analogies; they just resonate with me, so I use them all the time and in all areas of life. As a professional female Voice Talent and Actor who also happens to be a Writer, I am constantly thinking of them in my work life as well. Recently, when I was having a discussion with a fellow female Voice Talent, we were discussing the value in what we do for a living. We discussed how it is the voice that really finalizes a project; how it draws people in and makes them pay attention. In my case, it is the warm, real, relatable quality of my voice that is my sweet spot. I have had producers say – “I just believe what you are saying Michelle”, and that is something you can’t teach. Connecting with a script is a skill set, it is not something just anyone can do, and that is VALUABLE. Voice Over really is the final piece that pulls the whole project together – so why is it often the last piece of the puzzle that is thrown in at the end – kind of an afterthought…and usually the piece with the smallest budget? Voice Over for your project is the foam and caramel drizzle on your cappuccino, the shiny red bow on your birthday gift and my favorite analogy of all…. Voice Over is the Frosting on your Cupcake (talk about a SWEET SPOT).
Your project is not complete without that final piece to pull it all together…the crowning jewel that draws someone in to want to listen and taste whatever it is you are selling or showing or informing. I mean sure, you could eat a cupcake without the frosting – and some people do (GOD BLESS THEM-I DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOU PEOPLE). For the rest of the world and for the people you want to watch your commercial or video or trailer – YOU NEED GOOD FROSTING. I am not talking about frosting made with fillers and Crisco (something you can buy in a jar) – I am talking real ingredients, like butter, sugar, milk and love – mixing in your grandmothers big bowl that she passed down to you with a wooden spoon you have used for decades… Authentic, Delicious home made frosting.
All the ingredients are important…
The ingredients to make the cupcake are the people who put together the video or commercial (the writers, the producers, the editors…all the creative team around the concept and project). The cupcake is masterfully mixed together and baked to perfection – a delicious cake on a cooling rack awaiting its final step. What will this be?…well it depends on the project. Some cupcakes call for a cream cheese frosting, others need a dark chocolate ganache to bring out the true essence of the cake and still others want a simple vanilla butter cream to really make that cupcake shine without competing with it…harmoniously blending together in a simple, yet powerful delicious treat. So value the frosting and understand it’s importance in your project… and now that I am completely craving a cupcake – I will end on that note….and if anyone asks where I am….I’m in my home studio….making frosting. www.michellefalanga.com/voice
