301 Finding, Hiring, and Directing e-learning Voices Harlan Hogan, Produced by Lights, Camera, Action: Using Media to Engage the Learner
Finding, Hiring and Directing Elearning Voices Presented by: Harlan Hogan Co-founder e-learningvoices.com www.harlanhogan.com The dilemma finding the right voice at the right price. The importance of quality audio and voice overs. Image = professional look and sound. Audio is an adjunct to effective learning/retention. 2 Page 1
You can fool all the people all the time if the budget is big enough. -Joseph E. Levine 3 Actors for a day - Staff, friends and family the in-house solution Pros: Inexpensive Cons: Time consuming recording sessions Inconsistent audio quality More costly post-work 4 Page 2
Hiring professional voice actors Pros: Consistent, professional audio Smooth quick recording sessions Personal studios with long distance direction facilities Fast, post work Cons: Talent fees Outside studio fees 5 Finding professional voice talent Individual talent websites Multi-member Internet casting sites Voices.com Voice123.com ELearningVoices.com Agents 6 Page 3
Choosing the right voices Demos Auditions Reputation Recommendations 7 Hiring professional voices what s the freight? Approximate fee chart: Hourly recorded time rates $300.00 - $600.00 per hour Reduced rate per additional half or quarter-hour Finished minute rates: Up to 10 minutes $350 20 mins $550 30 mins $750 40 mins $900 Per word rates: 18 to 35 cents per word Additional Services often Available: Recording $75.00 - $150.00 per hour Editing/saving/posting $75.00 - $150.00 per hour (Rule of thumb - a 4:1 ratio recorded time to edited material.) The more separate files names and saved the more time needed (Scripts in Word 2 Wav software can speed this process) Price per Minute - provides multiple talents at a fixed fee based on the estimated finished minutes A reasonable number of minor retakes is usually included in performer fees (average: 2% of total) Talent mistakes are usually recorded at no additional charge 8 Page 4
Directing and working with professionals Clearly define the audience, goals and media used Less is more Avoid line readings Establish a collaboration 9 Choosing non- professional voice talent You: First perform an objective time benefit analysis Co-workers: Their number one fear, realized Content Experts: The Risk/Reward impact of credentials vs. clarity of message Local Broadcasters: Elearning is a more one-to-one communication Community/college actors: Elearning is a more oneto-one communication 10 Page 5
Directing non- professional voice talent Establish a Comfort Zone Explain the recording/editing process Assure Confidentiality Consider recording in dialogue format Clearly define the audience, goals and media used 11 Tips for any session Always use an upper and lower case serif font at least 12 point size, double spaced E-mailed scripts should be Word documents, not PDF s Try a two column format using Word 2 Wav software: file name text. Proof read the script before the session! Confirm the pronunciations for personal names Research how acronyms are said if read as individual letters use period. Spell out large numbers 305,650 = Three hundred five thousand six hundred and fifty 12 Page 6
Summary Professional voices often save time money in the long run. Professional voices contribute to the caliber of the training and can aid in the learning process. 13 "A billion here, a billion there sooner or later it adds up to real money." Senator Everett Dirksen 14 Page 7
Finding, Hiring and Directing Elearning Voices Presented by: Harlan Hogan Co-founder e-learningvoices.com www.harlanhogan.com Page 8