It is no secret to anyone that AI has begun moving into the voiceover creativity space. Each day it seems to settle in a little bit more, and it looks to be buying up a lot more space on a frequent basis. Well, the good news is that can only go so far. Will an AI ever feel like I feel? Will AI ever be able to uniquely connect with someone like only I can? Some may argue yes, but I do not believe so. The AI can never truly relate because it is absent of emotion. So yes, there is a huge increase in the quality AI can deliver but it will never be able to match the human heart. Sure, it can be programmed to deliver certain tones, but the spectrum of the human voice is massive and to encapsulate all of that is a heavy task.
Voiceover Creativity
So, what does creative voiceover look like? Well, I have the abundant joy of working in commercials, promos, narration, meditation and so many more avenues of the voiceover industry. Whatever scenario I am in, I endeavor to take the words from the page and deliver a message for the brand. Being human means, I can take the words, lean into my own experience, and apply my imagination to cultivating a project. We are all built to crave relationships and that could not be truer when it comes to voice acting. The need to connect is paramount.
Voiceover Centred Performances
So, an AI may be able to sound a particular way based on instructions, but we instinctively do what the AI can never do, connect with a genuine, caring, and relatable nuance. Voiceover ranges far and wide in the modern-day entertainment industry. There is so much work available and so many channels hosting it. So, does your personal success sit with producing an amazing demo or signing with a top agent? Well, these things are important, but the industry demands more than that, it demands your heart. If you cannot give your craft the creative spark which exists inside of you then you are doing a lesser job than the AI.
Creative Irony and Harmony
There is a comical irony to the notion that only ten years ago voice actors were competing against each other. Now in the modern-day voiceover industry, we campaign for one another against the AI. Sure, there is a lot of opportunity with AI but there is still a while to go in respecting and honoring the creativity the artist brings to the table. Now, a wonderful unity has broken out in the voiceover industry as we as a community fight for fair rates, longevity with usage, and the beauty that exists in the art of voice acting itself. Voiceover is the greatest job in the world, it overflows with creativity, passion, and heart whilst encapsulating every single area of society. The best days still rest ahead, and the journey of tomorrow is not yet written and that is the heart of voiceover creativity.
The Heart of Voiceover Creativity by Kate Marcin
