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DZ-110: Voiceover

How can you use voiceover without it feeling like a cheat?

31 MAY 2024

Show Notes

How can you use Voiceover without it feeling like a cheat?

In this episode, we finally delve into the world of VOICEOVERS (as part of our larger series exploring craft tools that allow characters & storytellers to talk directly to the audience). Chas, Stu and Mel deep dive into the VERONICA MARS pilot, Disney’s THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE, and the Michael Bay epic PAIN & GAIN.

In exploring what makes these particular examples of Voiceover great (and not feel like a cheat or a well-worn trope), we apply the four levers identified in our Part 1 (in particular ‘when in time is the Voiceover coming from’). In this episode we discover how Voiceover can set tone, reveal character motivations, enhance viewer empathy, or even create tension.

Don’t forget to check out the Backmatter (to this episode) answering Patreon Abigail’s question —

“I’m currently writing a screenplay where the twist relies on the audience believing the narrator is a different character until Act III. Thus, have been thinking a lot about casting and audience voice recognition, etc. Would be interested in hearing thoughts on this.”

Thanks to Chris Walker for his excellent editing this episode.

"If she wants us to catch up to her, she gives us a flashback. And if she wants us, I mean, at no point, I think from memory, I mean, I only watched it earlier this afternoon, but at no point does she put the audience ahead of her, which is different to the other examples that we’re looking at."

— Chas Fisher  |  DZ-110: Voiceover

Like this episode? Discuss with our Patrons on Patreon.

Thanks to our Patrons, especially Khrob, Theis, Sandra, Jesse, Randy, Paulo, Thomas, Jennifer, Malay, Alexandre and Lily.

As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes.

Resources

Transcript

Read the transcript for this episode.

Chapters

  • 00:00:00 – Cold Open
  • 00:00:23 – Voiceover craft levers to pull
  • 00:03:48 – VERONICA MARS (Pilot)
  • 00:07:15 – › How voiceover compresses narrative and sets tone
  • 00:12:34 – › Who Veronica talks to and what she wants from the audience
  • 00:19:41 – › Voiceover as a tool for revealing character motivation and lies
  • 00:27:23 – › Cumulative effect of voiceover choices on tone and empathy
  • 00:32:43 – THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE
  • 00:36:36 – › Voiceover as unreliable narrator and the low-point frame
  • 00:40:27 – › Temporal origin of voiceover and its effect on character
  • 00:44:08 – › Voiceover tense, omniscience, and empathy maintenance
  • 00:49:53 – › Consistent voiceover strategy across the whole screenplay
  • 00:54:11 – PAIN & GAIN
  • 00:57:29 – › Multiple voiceover characters and their introduction pattern
  • 01:02:29 – › Temporal origin of voiceovers and the court case frame
  • 01:09:50 – › Voiceover as dramatic irony and audience positioning
  • 01:24:28 – › Cumulative thematic effect of collective voiceover
  • 01:31:30 – Key Learnings & Wrap Up
  • 01:33:19 – › Temporal origin of voiceover as the master lever
  • 01:39:34 – Thanks Patreons!

Films

Shows

Episodes in the Talking Directly to the Audience series

More Draft Zero is brought to you by our awesome Patreons.

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We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter.