Learning To Narrate For My Video Essay
Hi there! This post is part of a documentation project on how I wrote, scripted, narrated, scored, audio/video edited, and uploaded a rewrite video for the anime Demon Slayer. I detail my production process, and how my skills and principles can be applied elsewhere. Visit my landing page to see the rest of my process!
Beginning Narration
With my script written, it was time to narrate. Storytelling is in everything. I needed my narration to tell a story, rather than just be words through speakers.
Finding My Groove
Outside of one high school play, I’d never narrated before. As I began reading my script, however, I started getting a feel for it. For a frame of reference on how the video would feel, I edited a rough cut of my first episode’s footage. My narration was too fast, and my footage felt rushed trying to keep up with it. I tried narrating slower, and my entire process improved. Viewing footage early on in the process proved to be a good idea, and I’ll definitely do it more in the future.
I couldn’t enunciate my words when narrating too fast. In slowing down, I spoke clearer, creating a better sound. Clear speaking is crucial in a project like this, where narration is the key medium through which your story is conveyed.
Narrating For Different Projects
If I were narrating something more casual like a video essay or analysis video, I might talk faster. Narrating in an immersive story should be more consistent as opposed to conversational speaking.
Finding My Feeling
Expression in my narration was important. My entire video had a range of emotions I had to match with my tone of voice. Staying monotone all throughout would make it feel less immersive, while adding expression further immerses my viewer in my story.
Gauging the level of expression was a bit tricky at first, but once I tried being what I felt was over-expressive, I actually found the best result. It took me a while to become consistent, though. I’d re-record major portions of my script because I’d forget to keep the same level of animation. I’d only settle for the best.
Changing Pace
While my pace stayed mostly consistent, I also let my narration follow the scene a bit. In important moments, I’d leave more space in between my lines to give them more impact. I primarily used this tactic in sad scenes, letting the emotion sit longer.
By The End
I had an idea of what the narrating process would be like, but actually doing it brought me far more clarity. I have a good foundation, but I can improve my process in the future, and I’m excited to keep growing in it.
Skills I Demonstrated
- Storytelling know-how
- Recognizing different projects have different needs
- Finding the best approach to a project
- The drive to achieve the best for a project
- Optimizing storytelling methods and understanding how they work together
Applying My Skills
While not every product needs narration, the skills behind my process are highly applicable. Recognizing that different products are built on different storytelling methods, and how to best optimize those methods, are incredibly valuable. I also showed my drive to refine my work to its most optimal state.
As I was narrating my video, I was also in the midst of the audio editing process.
