YES!
This short blog article will tell you about two different techniques.
The first is for dubbing and the second for UN style voice over.
What is dubbing?
Live-action dubbing in voice over is lip-syncing a dialogue in a different language. There is a lot of acting as you need to incarnate the character. The goal is to make the audience forget that this is not the original actor speaking.
Let's get DUBBING!
From your studio, you need to have a soundproof setup, with a great microphone, a high-speed internet connection, and the capacity to connect with other studios from a distance.
The most popular connection solutions are Session Link Pro, Source Connect, or ipDTL.
They will allow the receiving studio to record from your microphone as if you were in their studio.
Ahhh, the magic of modern technology.
Then once you are connected, you will have to see and hear the original audio and video to get a feel for the scene.
The best way is to directly integrate a rythmo band into the video for the actor to follow.
The software VoiceQ was used during my remote sessions to accomplish this.
Because there is so much acting involved, I believe that the best way to achieve real success is to make sure an artistic director guides you while you are dubbing.
WHY? Because they have an overview of the character and can push you to go further into the character's emotions. They also have a global view of the project, which is vital for success.
Here is a great video from Fannie Brett & Max Rabault from 7 holdings media that demonstrates the remote workflow:
Now let's talk about UN Style Voice Over!
What is UN Style Voice Over?
It's when the new voice over recording is layered over the original audio.
You can hear both the original speaker and the voice over actor at the same time.
It has more of a translation vibe to it, but still requires acting and the capacity to synchronize as close as possible to the original audio.
Documentaries come to mind as we hear the original speaker or interviewee under the un-style voice-over.
What does this workflow look like?
Well, in my experience it is quite different from dubbing.
The studio will provide you with a video that has the time codes on it & a script.
The script also has timecodes so that you can match the original timing.
This is a screenshot of my computer while I work.
Here are the steps I use to record an un style voice over on my own:
1.) Open the video inside adobe audition.
2.) Create a multitrack session where I add the video. This allows me to record while watching and listening to the video at the same time.
3.) Open my text and have it on the right-hand side of the video.
4.) Listen, record, repeat!
Here is a sample of a UN style voice over:
Once I have recorded my character, I send the audio to the studio so that their sound engineer can do the final edits and mix.
Of course, it is possible to have a remote directed session for UN style voice over as well, but depending on the job, you may not need an artistic director as the goal is not the same.
In either case, I always love doing this type of work. It is a really fun experience each time.
I hope this article helps you understand the workflow needed for dubbing and un style voice over!
This article was written by, Stephanie Matard.
I am an american voice over actress helping clients from all over the world with their voice over needs.
I was born in the USA, and now I live and work in France.
If you are interested in my voice for your project, you can listen to my demos here.