http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: narrate - Recent Posts en Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:16:26 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/narration-philosophy#post-38123 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:20:19 +0000 VidMakesMe 38123@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I'd imagine in a shaving technique video, it would probably be best to narrate before you shave, then after you shave you explain again why you did what you did.  For example, you could be giving advice about how to shave around the chin (which is difficult for every guy), and before you begin to shave you teach the technique, then after you shave explain some tips.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/narration-philosophy#post-37874 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:38:11 +0000 chrisColorado 37874@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>When you watch commercials, they try and sell you with good layman terms in 30 seconds or so. That's what I try to do.</p> <p>I worked in radio and one of the commercials I rewrote is still played on 1360 AM a year after I quit.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/narration-philosophy#post-37853 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:15:15 +0000 Aspyrider 37853@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p><em>"You just have to feel it out and decide whether it works or not."</em></p> <p>Yep, look at your overall vision for the video and decide what you think would work. ;-)</p> <p>J.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/narration-philosophy#post-37852 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:41:47 +0000 cdanddvdpublisher 37852@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> On a lot of levels, it's just a matter of personal preference. If you don't like overlays, act as a host. Combine the two if there are something that need to happen off camera. I don't know that there are any cleary set rules on the matter</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/narration-philosophy#post-37851 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:00:37 +0000 robGRAUERT 37851@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> Maybe you can refresh my memory, but I don't recall ever watching a video where someone actually narrates on camera. They are a host. So if you are doing a production that requires someone to take the viewer and show them around or something (like Mike Rowe in Dirty Jobs) then hire a host. </p> <p> To me, documentaries typically hire narrators. I guess it's your call though, depends on what style you want to embrace. I don't know whether or not there is a right time or not for narration/host. You just have to feel it out and decide whether it works or not. I've seen documentaries with hosts and I've seen demonstration and other related videos use real narrators. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/narration-philosophy#post-37849 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:13:38 +0000 mantic59 37849@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>This is all excellent advice, but I guess I wasn't very clear in the parent message.  I'm trying to get a handle on when/why to narrate in front of the camera vs. narrate off-camera with some other visual.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/narration-philosophy#post-37846 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:51:33 +0000 Aspyrider 37846@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Speak as if you are talking to an 8th grade level. Also, a tip I learned in radio years ago. Get a toy stuffed bear or something like that and set it in front of you. Talk to the bear. LOL</p> <p>Yeah, talk to it as if it's the person you are speaking to. The bear represents your audience. When you talk, speak as if you are talking to one person, not a crowd. Because you are, you are talking to the one viewer or listener.  Robgrauert gave good advice above. He's dead on it. ;-)</p> <p>J.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/narration-philosophy#post-37841 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:33:40 +0000 robGRAUERT 37841@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> oh yea, avoid tongue twisters too. And speak clearly. Also, a pop filter would be extremely helpful during the recording of the narration</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/narration-philosophy#post-37840 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:32:03 +0000 robGRAUERT 37840@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>It's important with off-camera narration that you write for a listener, not a reader. Don't try to sound all sophisticated with big, complex sentences. Keep it short, sweet and to the point. Write your narration, then re-write it with the intention of using lots of verbs. And always speak in present tense...at least 95% of the time.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/narration-philosophy#post-37839 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:29:20 +0000 mantic59 37839@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Greetings--  I am not a video pro but I sort of fell into making a bunch of videos about how to shave (don't laugh, I have over 1 million total views on my Youtube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59">channel</a>).  I use Foodtv's "Good Eats" show as inspiration and guidance and I see the host, Alton Brown, narrate various cooking guides both on camera and off.  Are there any "rules of thumb" regarding on-camera vs. off-camera narration? </p>