Voice - Over: More than just a voice?

This morning while waiting in line for my cappuccino at my neighborhood Barista, I watched 3 commercials back to back with the same female voice-over. The same voice that told me how to turn into someone beautiful and irresistible to men like Priyanka Chopra (by bathing in strawberry's and cream thanks to the new LUX soap), also asked me to use a particular brand of sanitary product and choose a new brand of cooking oil. Isn't advertising amazing?

Voice-over in advertising has been around for as long as radio has been around. The first medium to advertsie your product where you could add some personal touch to it. In the begining, radio stations had live recordings done at-once in the studio, the entire crew would perform live. Voice over artists also performed "live" radio shows or series.

Today there is huge money to be made if you have that sexy husky voice, the chirpy fun tone or the serious scary grunt that can make you want to lock your doors. Many VO artists make good money from lending their voices and some are even preferred and therefore end up doing more than one TV commercial or Radio Spot.

My favorite kind of VO has always been the narrator/character/omniscient character (sutradhar) in movies or TV shows. I like the voice that takes you through the storyline. It always gives me the feeling of seriousness and adds depth and yeah at times intrigue to the movie. If you have ever watched Desperate Housewives (actually the narrative is the only thing I pay attention to when my sister watches the show), you will know what I mean.

But more than the voice, the script, the requirement of a VO, the placement of the same, all play a big role in making the VO play the role of a successful storyteller- be it in ad or movies or spots.

VO's help to sell a story esp in ads...I hope ad film makers and movie makers ensure they keep selling them well...

Of Rave Reviews...

If you want to spend your weekend watching movies, then may I suggest three recent movies that have really surprised and entertained me with not only great acting but also excellent scripts and direction...Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Mama Mia and A Wednesday.

The three movies are all from different genre of filmaking, while the first is an out and out comedy (but not the Chris Tucker, Adam Sandler kind), the second is a fun filled musical extravaganza full of ABBA songs and a sweet storyline, while the last a hard hitting, gripping movie based on real life incidents which is currently enjoying a great stint at the Indian box office. All three movies have one thing in common - great acting. While the male protagonist in Sarah Marshall leaves you feeling a vague sense of familiarity of break ups, Merill Streep wants you to get up and dance (you are ONLY SEVENTEEN) and Mr Shah and Mr Kher have you biting your nails wondering what next...

I enjoyed watching them all last week...as you can tell it was one of the dullest weeks I have had in a long time...but these three movies really made up for any boredom...so if you are planning on staying in this weekend...watch these movies...I highly recommend them...

Hello Madam...BHELCOME TO INDIA!

Picture this, a 20 something girl who has recently graduated from a prestigious university in the US decides to move back to her home country and seek a job in advertising. So she sets up an interview with the country's leading media house and with her briefcase in hand and dressed to the nines in a black business suit, lands at her prospective employer's office. Exciting isnt it? Well after a 2 hour wait in a hot waiting area with no fans (this is Mumbai in May) and no one to offer her a glass of water, her hopes are already on the verge of shattering. Yet, she sticks around, as her father told her, "things are different in India". Finally the call comes!

A security gaurd (read chowkidaar) asks her to squeeze her way through the small gap he has left between himself and the door into the office of one of the senior partner's office. She is now ready to show how professional she is, share her dreams and ideas and what she wants to do with her life. She has spent the last two days practicing all the right things to be said. So in she walks and is greeted with a smirk by Mr. P. The great man doesnt think it necessary to get up from his revolving chair and has his feet perched up on a side table (finally he lets them drop). He asks her to take a seat. The ambitious girl hands him her resume and pulls out her portfolio that she worked so hard on during her years in college studying advertising and business.

Well..what does he do? Throws it back on the table and mouths, "ye sab India mein nahin chalta hai...yahan hindi bolna aana chahiye...tum to hindi bol hi nahin sakti" (Translated: All this doesnt work in India, here you need to speak in Hindi and you dont seem to know the language). the girl is shocked yet composes herself and answers, "Sir, main bahut achchi hindi bol sakti hoon, lekin usse Media Planning ka kya connection hai?" (Sir, I can converse in very good Hindi but what does it have to do with the profile of a Media Planner?). To this he replies (finally in English), " You may have what it takes but I cant see you being able to adjust considering you have lived in the US for 5 years now. India wont be your cup of tea. Why dont you move back? I am sure you dad can finance that too!

Ladies and gentleman...my first interview in 21st Century India!!

Its been almost 6 years since that crazy afternoon and yet I cant forget it. I remember walking out of that office in anger, sadness and despair. If people were going to hold my education against me, what chance did I have on making it in my own country? But make it I did! I owe that one bad interview alot. It taught me that not only should I expect to meet all kinds of people but also be prepared to be judged against (at times) because of my gender.

In these 6 years, I have gone through some interesting situations where my gender, age, ethnicity, education, family background have been used against me...to my dissappointment and suprise (isnt this where INDIA SHINING was a mantra?). There have been times where very educated and senior professionals have come up with the lamest of excuses as to why I am not 'ready' to take on more responsibilities or why I wouldnt 'fit' a role. All these instances have, instead of breaking my spirit, made me more confident and resilient!

I write this entry to thank my detractors! I can imagine what women in the work force must feel...here I am with only 6 years of work experience...I cant imagine what the rest of you have been through...HATS OFF TO ALL YOU INDEPENDENT LADIES...You have my best wishes always!