The winter time curse of voice overs is to experience a cold or a sore throat. It is an occupational hazard at this time of year. Looking back I realise there have been a number of posts by me at this time of year along a similar theme.
I ought to try and find a way of keeping more healthy.

Many years ago my brother used to get a lot of colds – the doctor told him the best advice was “to stop mixing with people”. I can see the logic of that but in life generally it hard advice to follow.

Ironically over the Festive period I did not see that many people but still managed to get the viral“cold with flu symptoms and a really bad cough that lasts three weeks”. Anecdotally many people seem to have suffered the same as me. My only slight positive is that at least I was ill for three weeks at a point in the year where work is often traditionally thin on the ground anyway.
My personal good news is that I’m nearly over it and hope to be vocally firing on all cyclinders by the end of the week.

I find dealing with colds and throat infections hard as I tend to be over-critical of the quality and sound of my voice – I’ve spent so many years listening to it that I know the quality I want to hear in my voice over work– I get annoyed if that quality isn’t there.

I know I’m being over critical because this week I had to give a reading at a family funeral. To me on the day my voice sounded cold-ridden and terrible but to others – including people who know me well – I sounded fine and gave a great reading.

This year I’ll have to try to listen to me more as the client does – if the voice is working for them and they are happy and hearing what they want for their project – then my work it done!

Chris Radley – Voice Over