There’s no escaping it, AI-generated voiceover tracks are now unavoidable. They’ve improved hugely, and quickly become an invaluable tool in the video production process. But are they actually any good? The answer is a resounding yes, but also kind of…. No.
Why they’re good
AI voiceovers are quick and easy to create. Using either a text prompt or an existing audio reference track, you can have a pro-sounding voiceover ready in seconds.
This means they’re cheaper than working with a human VO artist, and a great choice for quick turnaround projects, those that are likely to have lots of script revisions, or when budget is particularly tight.
They’re useful as a placeholder for testing out scripts ahead of a proper VO recording, or for boosting accessibility on videos where you might not normally include a VO.
Why they’re bad
Robots are getting better at conveying emotion. But while you do have some control over delivery and pronunciation with AI voiceovers, it’s limited, and the more granular you try to be with this, the more you lose the benefits of speed and cost. The fact is if nuance and expression is critical for your script, you need a real human to provide it.
There’s also the fact that people’s ears are already becoming attuned to AI voiceovers, and they’re increasingly able to tell when they’re listening to a robot. In certain contexts this can distract from a video’s messaging, or make it feel impersonal.
Our view
We’re finding AI-generated voiceovers to be a hugely useful tool in the video creation process, especially in the early stages. There also open up exciting possibilities, like automatic translation to different languages, or using voice imprints to allow a person to sound like someone entirely different.
But for now, we see them as something that won’t replace traditional voiceover artists in the production process, but sit alongside them; robots and VO artists, together in narrative harmony.
Voiceover vs. Titles: Exploring the Best Animated Video Strategy for Your Message
Video Transcript:
When you’re creating animated videos for business, a key decision is whether to feature a voiceover track, or to instead deliver the messaging entirely through on-screen text titles. Understanding the benefits of both methods is key to choosing the most effective approach for your video. Here’s a look at both:
Voiceover:
Voiceover provides the opportunity to connect your message with a specific tone of voice, evoking emotions, building trust, and grabbing attention. Videos delivered with a voiceover can also fit in more words than text titles alone; roughly 150 words a minute. This makes a voiceover track suitable for more complex or detailed content. Titles on the other hand, work differently…
Text Titles:
Text Titles have to be:
short, direct and impactful.
Scripts should be 75words per minute,
Suiting videos with simpler messaging.
They’re easy to edit, rearrange, translate and localise.
They’re more accessible to hearing impaired viewers
And particularly effective when viewed mute on social channels.
So when picking between these two options, think closely about what will work best for your audience and where they’ll be accessing the content. We’d also suggest that ALL videos include some form of on-screen text or subtitles, to maximise accessibility and ensure they can be understood when viewed on mute. Good luck!
If you have an idea for a project and would like to discuss how Dead Ready Productions could help bring it to life, please get in touch via the button below or by calling +44 (0)208 339 6139.
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5 Video Content Marketing Ideas For Software Brands To Use
In the latest of our Marketing Tips vlog series, Chris Tongue, Creative Director at Dead Ready Productions, explains 5 video content ideas that software brands should implement into their marketing strategy.
The content of which can be found below.
Hi! This time we’re going to look at 5 video content ideas that suit software brands.
Software platforms are becoming more and more powerful, but with that comes complexity.
Video offers the opportunity to highlight the benefits of your offering without having to send a sales rep to do a demo.
So here are 5 ideas for demystifying the power of your software through video.
1. Promo
The promotional video for your product is the banner advert for your product. This video should offer a teaser of the power of your products and excite your audience.
Don’t worry about granular detail here, just make sure that your product looks impressive; consider representing key facets of your product through metaphor and don’t be afraid to swing for the fences – this really is an advert for your product, so make it look great!
2. Case Study
As is so often true in video marketing, case studies present a really compelling reason for your potential clients to buy your product.
Firstly, identify your evangelists from your existing client base and incentivise them to be involved by offering them something of value as a thank you.
Send your production team to their place of business and shoot an interview with your customer, plus loads of content of the software in action, helping your customer achieve their business goals.
Potential customers relate to these videos and they can be a massive sales driver.
3. Demos
These videos are often animated demonstrations of how your software works when addressing a common issue your clients face.
These videos should be seen as mini-showreels for different corners of the software so make sure you keep the production values
4. Tips
This is where the granular detail comes in. Help your customers see how easy it is to work with your programme by demonstrating how to use the software to complete common tasks.
These easily can be shown through screen capture videos recorded by your sales team – just make sure that they are recorded clearly using a professional microphone, not the mic on the laptop.
5. Update Vlogs
Make sure that your customers are informed and excited by any new developments or features by creating a regular vlog.
Your customers will always be interested in new features so humanise your brand by going on camera and talking to them directly.
So, there you are, 5 video ideas for software content campaigns.
For more helpful information, top tips and useful guides on video production, keep an eye out for our next vlog – coming soon!
If you would like to discuss how Dead Ready Productions could help you to further enjoy the benefits of video for your business, please get in touch via the button below or by calling +44 (0)208 339 6139.
Get Your Business Noticed With Visual Storytelling: Watch Our Animation Showreel Today
At Dead Ready Productions, we understand the importance of visual storytelling and how it can elevate a brand. To prove it, our animators have produced a brand new showreel showing off some of our favourite recent projects.
Whether you’re looking to increase brand awareness, explain complex concepts or simply entertain your audience, we’re here to help.
Our team of expert animators have years of experience creating captivating animations that engage audiences, effectively communicate messages and ultimately help businesses stand out from the competition.
The animations we create are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of applications, including social media, websites and presentations, helping businesses of all sizes and in all industries achieve their marketing goals.
If you have an animation brief, or you would like to find out more about the video, photography or graphic design services Dead Ready Productions can offer your business, simply get in touch via the button below or by calling +44 (0)208 339 6139.
5 Video Content Marketing Ideas For Pharmaceutical Brands To Apply
In the latest of our marketing tips vlog series, Chris Tongue, Creative Director at Dead Ready Productions, explains 5 video content ideas that pharmaceutical brands should apply to their marketing strategy. The content of which can be found below.
Hi, this month I’m suggesting 5 effective video approaches to support content campaigns for pharmaceutical brands.
So, if you’re an in-house marketeer for a pharmaceutical brand or working at an agency for pharmaceutical clients, I’d hope this content is useful to you.
It’s worth saying that often your most useful resource will be your Key Opinion Leaders (KOL), so be prepared to get them on-side for filming.
Many KOLs take it upon themselves to get some media training, but it’ll really help the quality of your content if your KOL’s are good on camera.
Number 1: Communicating Study Findings
Traditionally, study findings are reported to audiences via PowerPoint presentations, but you can more powerfully connect the KOL to the content through video.
The simplest way to enliven these findings is the classic talking head in a box approach, where the heavy data can take up most of the screen. However, if you involve a greenscreen, there is a whole world of ways that we can enliven the environment and content.
Feel free to add as much imagination as you feel is appropriate for your audience.
We’ve brought pop up green screen studios to locations worldwide, so it’s easy to bring the production to a location that’s convenient for your KOL.
Number 2: Case Studies
In almost any market, video case studies are a great way to highlight the efficacy of a product. When it comes to pharma, case studies are usually led by a KOL discussing how well treatment is going with a particular patient or group of patients.
These can be effectively communicated through a simple interview-style video, shot at the KOLs institute or place of work. Adding testimonial interview quotes from patients can present an even more compelling case study.
Number 3: Update Vlogs
Consider creating a channel for a particular product in development and have a specialist on the development team deliver regular updates on progress.
These thought leadership videos should only be a couple of minutes long and delivered regularly – providing a touch point for your KOLs and any other interested parties.
Number 4: News
Become a resource for a specific therapy area by attending congresses and organise the filming of update videos from a range of key speakers.
These can easily be shot by a single camera operator and provided they are scheduled in advance, you can shoot and even edit up to fifty 2-3 minute update videos a day!
Number 5: Interactive Video
Your e-learning resources become more engaging, impactful and effective when presented as an interactive video.
In one example, we were asked to help teach GPs how to recognise the right symptom profile to apply certain treatments.
We therefore created a video putting the audience in the shoes of a doctor as patient characters described their symptoms.
Audiences were given options as to what steps to take and guided to a resolution that benefited the patient. Requiring your audience to actively engage with the content in this way dramatically increases the likelihood that the learning objectives are fully absorbed.
So that’s it, 5 simple ideas for pharmaceutical campaigns. But before I go, a useful compliance tip is to use an autocue.
It seems strange to script interviews or other natural interactions but allowing the messaging to be signed off in advance drastically reduces the risk of projects being cancelled in post production – we’ve even held up a script on an iPad before and used post production to make it feel natural, so we’re big advocates of this approach.
As always, put yourself in the shoes of your audience and create videos that solve problems or inspire.
Thanks for watching.
For more helpful information, top tips and useful guides on video production, keep an eye out for our next 60 second marketing tips vlog – coming soon!
In the meantime, if you have a filming brief, or you would like to find out more about the animation, photography and graphic design services Dead Ready Productions can offer your business, simply get in touch via the button below or by calling +44 (0)208 339 6139.
