Sean Pratt, an experienced audiobook narrator with over 1,200 titles to his name, shares fascinating insights into the art of storytelling. He discusses the unique challenges of perfecting accents and character voices, while illustrating the emotional nuances required for captivating performances. Sean also highlights the impact of AI on narration and the personal struggles narrators face with ambient noise. His tips for aspiring narrators cover the importance of preparation and the often-overlooked logistical hurdles in this creative profession.
Audiobook narrators must consult diverse resources and often reach out to authors to accurately pronounce challenging names and terms.
Before recording, narrators analyze character dynamics and context thoroughly to choose distinct voices, adapting creatively based on genre requirements.
Deep dives
The Importance of Correct Pronunciation
Audiobook narrators must accurately pronounce names and terms to maintain credibility. Sean Pratt, an experienced narrator, emphasizes that he often consults authors directly for challenging pronunciations by sending them a voice memo request for clarity. For names in non-English languages, he utilizes resources like Forvo.com to hear native pronunciations, ensuring he captures the correct sounds. Given the complexity and variety in names, he sometimes hires researchers to assist with this labor-intensive task.
Character Development and Voice Choices
Before recording, narrators need to thoroughly understand the book's characters and context. Sean Pratt reads the entire book and notes character clues, deciding on distinct voices based on genre and character attributes. For instance, while narrating an Agatha Christie novel, he chose to mimic old American film styles for character voices, reflecting the era's characteristics. Collaboration with authors can also influence decisions, as seen when an author requested that elves sound Israeli, which Sean creatively adapted to British accents based on what would be more fitting.
Challenges in Performance and Recording
Narrating complex works can pose significant performance challenges due to intricate character dynamics and writing styles. Sean Pratt shared that when he narrated 'The Sound and the Fury' by William Faulkner, the stream-of-consciousness style made it particularly tough to maintain coherence. Additionally, characters with strong regional dialects can complicate narration, requiring sensitivity to avoid stereotyping while still delivering authenticity. He also discussed the intricate technique of 'punch and roll' recording, which helps him to efficiently edit while performing multiple characters in a scene.
The Business of Audiobook Narration
The audiobook industry presents unique business challenges, including financial considerations for narrators. Sean Pratt explained that while narrating audiobooks is labor-intensive, the financial rewards often do not match the workload compared to other voiceover opportunities. He highlighted the need for careful planning and budgeting based on a project's length and complexity, factoring in a turnaround time that ensures quality. With the increasing competition from AI-generated voices, understanding the dynamics of the industry is crucial for narrators aiming to sustain their careers.
Fine-tuning the perfect accent for a character, recording for hours in a sound-insulated booth, and tracking down obscure pronunciations with Sean Pratt, an audiobook narrator. What is "punch and roll"? And what kind of voice do you need to be a great narrator?
EXTRA We spoke with Sean about his work narrating the David Foster Wallace literary behemoth Infinite Jest. That part of the interview didn’t fit into this episode, but you can listen to it here!
NEW BOOK ALERT! You may be aware that I’ve written or co-written five business books, including The Power of Moments and Made to Stick. I’ve got a sixth book out now called RESET: How to Change What’s Not Working. It’s a book intended to help you and your team get unstuck, to overcome the gravity of the way things have always worked. Learn more about the book and order it here.
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