Voice Overs for Documentaries

When people think of voice overs for documentaries there are certain voices of well-known narrators that spring to mind.

The deep resonate tones of Morgan Freeman on March of the Penguins or Life On Our Planet.

The rich, purposeful voice of Whoopi Goldberg narrating Unchained Memories, and, of course, the unmistakable strong but soothing sound of David Attenborough on every nature show he’s ever recorded.

But what is it that makes these voices stand out among the many narrator voice actors working in the business today?

What special something do they share?

If you’re looking to hire a great voice talent for your own documentary film, podcast, or audiobook, you’ll need to know.

The Skills of Great Documentary Voice Artists

Some voice actors may think this kind of narration is simply reciting a script and rolling it out in a manner that’s most often somber-toned and serious.

But it’s so much more than that.

Great documentary voice artists infuse their words with a warmth and wisdom that engages the listener from the get-go.

Along with that, their voice inspires their audience to believe what they’re hearing the narrator is actually experiencing.

 It’s a kind of voice acting that takes very specific skills.

So, before you select your voiceover talent, take the time to ensure that they check all the boxes and therefore have the art as well as the ability to lift your documentary project to Attenborough-esque heights. 

No Reflexive/Vegetative Sounds

Whether a full-length film, radio program, or audiobook, documentaries can be lengthy.

Therefore, the narrator’s voice has to appeal to the audience tuning in to listen from start to finish.

Certain vegetative sounds, which are non-speech sounds and, in adults, can include sniffing, throat-clearing, or loud swallowing, can be hugely distracting.

In everyday life, we might not even be aware we’re making these noises.

But the best documentary narrators know that the subtle sound of lip-smacking or a heavy breathing habit can be like nails down a blackboard to listeners who pick up on them.

They’ve trained their voices to be easy on the ear, ensuring sentences are not punctuated by weird hums and hisses.

Accurate interpretation

Of course, proper pacing is best delivered when the voice actor truly understands the information they’re reading.

This doesn’t just mean understanding various unfamiliar words (though that too!). It also involves getting to grips with the subject matter at hand, and the context and nuances within the script.

When voice actors accurately convey the content they’re reading, they communicate it in a way that resonates so much deeper with the audience.

Whether it’s a historical event, a natural occurrence, or a personal story, when listeners sense that the narrator genuinely understands the information they’re sharing, it sparks trust.

This, in turn, prompts them to engage more deeply with the story and also adds credibility to the documentary itself.

Conveying Emotions

Because a good story evokes emotions, great documentaries do so too (C’mon! Let’s admit we all cried at least once during March of the Penguins!)

You may think you’re feeling all the feels because of the visuals on the screen or simply because of the information you’re receiving through the script.

But a professional voice talent has the sensibility to gauge the emotional tone of a script.

And because they can deliver the lines with empathy and sincerity, they unconsciously encourage you to connect emotionally too.

Of course, it’s not all about inspiring tears and tantrums.

Great voice actors working on documentaries know when to bring in humor and lightness, even when dealing with heavy or heartbreaking subject matter.

This is the power of a great voice over for documentaries.

It seamlessly adapts the tone, pace, and delivery to support the script’s emotional shifts.

And in doing so, it sweeps the audience off on a wondrous journey that enables them to really feel—and understand—the significance of what’s happening in a given scene.

Hire the Perfect Voice Actor for Documentaries with Voice Crafters

If all of this sounds like a lot, don’t worry!

At Voice Crafters we’re proud that our pro voice over artists for documentaries are highly skilled in this field.

We only work with experienced voice actors.

All of our artists are pre-screened, which means that they go through a strict selection process to ensure they possess the skills necessary for professional documentary production.

Furthermore, we offer studio-quality voice overs in over 80 languages.

This gives you the unique opportunity to ensure your documentary can be enjoyed by different audiences across the globe.

So, what are you waiting for?

We can help you today with your specific requirements.

Feel free to contact us with any queries you have or dive straight in and check out the extensive pool of professional voice talent at Voice Crafters for yourself.

Our simple three-step process makes it easy to find the perfect voice artists for your documentary project.