Preparing Scripts for the Actor: Voice Prompts, ESL, Narration or PSAs No matter the type of script you’re preparing, you can save money on recording and
talent costs by consistently sticking to a few basic rules in preparing your copy for
recording (See also:Tips on creating effective PSAs):
• Type your script, no matter how short, and use “san serif” fonts (Arial, Helvetica
and MS San Serif are good examples). Font size should be at least 12 pts, and
14 is even better. Double-space your document with at least 1.25 inches margin
on each side of the page. This enables the talent to make notes if needed.
• Number all pages. Send an electronic copy in an editable text format (such as MS
Word) as well as a hard copy to the talent in advance of recording for review and
discussion if possible.
• Phonetically type out any words that the reader might not be familiar with or that
have a special pronunciation (ie, an unfamiliar product, company name, city, or
personal names). Indicate whether you want French names (for example)
pronounced with an American or a French accent.
• Don’t use abbreviations because it can create confusion as to whether you prefer
(for example) Apple Corp. to be read as written or as Apple Corporation. It’s easy
to make assumptions that the voice actor will understand your intent, but this can
cost you money in editing or re-recording later.
• If there is a time limit for the piece, use a stopwatch to get an accurate sense of
copy length before you give it to the voice actor or studio. If you intend to use
music at the open and/or close of your piece you’ll have to subtract that time as
well. Read the piece out loud at a leisurely pace. This will give you a better sense
of length and save you time and money once you’re ready to record. Studio time
is expensive and you don’t want to waste money re-writing on the fly.
• Numbers should be spelled out (the number “150” might be interpreted as “a
hundred-fifty”, “a hundred and fifty”, or “one hundred fifty” and so on.) Give written
and verbal direction as to whether the actor careful enunciation (for ESL texts, for
example) or if a more colloquial sound is desired. Indicate in writing any words
that need to be verbally spelled out rather than read (““s-t-o-p” vs. “stop” for
example.)
©2006 PanRight Productions
• Don’t break sentences or prompts between pages. This makes it harder for the
actor to read with continuity and helps eliminate page-turning noise.
• Indicate pauses as needed by simply inserting “pause” or “wait 2 beats” (eg) into
the script.
• Inflection is very important in conveying your message. The actor can give an
upward inflection at the beginning or end of a number or list of items, as well as a
neutral inflection or a downward inflection at the end of a list. They will need
guidance from you as to your needs (unless you trust them to use their best
judgment in context). Whenever necessary, indicate these instructions in your
script. Here’s a good way to indicate it for the voice talent:
o Use ellipses to indicate the type of inflection required:
For example, if you want an upward inflection when the number (or item in
a list) appears at the beginning of a sentence type it in the script as
ƒ “One…”
with the ellipsis following the number.
ƒ For a neutral inflection when a number appears in mid-sentence,
type it in the script as:
• …one…
with the ellipsis on both sides of the number.
For a downward inflection when the number appears at the end of a
sentence, type it in the script as
• …one.
with the ellipsis in front of the number.
• Above all, make sure the copy you deliver is in fact final and signed off by
whoever is in charge of approval for the project.
©2006 PanRight Productions