Narration, The Career of a Storyteller

The human voice and narrationThe art of narration, and also the ability to narrate, is comprised of a combination of several elements including the narrator’s mental faculties which enable them to interpret a script and its context, the narrator’s imagination to color the words, and prominent use of the narrator’s voice to deliver a written message to their audience.Each narrator possesses a unique voiceprint and no two voices are the same. Narrators also make definite choices when interpreting the text that is before them, resulting in content that is as individual as it is expressive.History and developmentNarration, sometimes called storytelling, was developed by ancient civilizations, claiming its earliest roots in prehistorical times through oral tradition, passing down stories and tales from person to person, or storyteller to storyteller over generations and across geographical boundaries through troubadours traveling to distant lands carrying news from one location to another.TechniquesNarrating audiobooks is a marathon that requires the ultimate balancing act of artistic and technical endurance coupled with the ability to continuously suspend the audiences’ disbelief.Suspension of disbelief means that although the listener is quite aware that the narrator is only telling a story, no matter how fantastical, they decide to put that fact in the back of their mind to enjoy the show, suspending their disbelief in order to be entertained and embrace the narrator’s world and a different reality as intended by the author.Skills Good Narrators Possess:1. Engage the listener
2. Make and keep a contract with the listener to suspend their disbelief
3. Give a consistent performance 
4. Have intuitive timing
5. Develop multiple convincing and separate character voices
6. Be an authentic narrator with an independent voice
7. Interpret the author’s intent
8. Transport the listener to a different time and place
9. Maintain a solid presence
10. Bring the story to lifeUses and GenresNarration can be used for a variety of purposes, including to give life to audiobooks, film, animated films, corporate presentations and educational pursuits. Audiobook narration is by far the fastest growing sector due to the public demand for downloadable content accessible through services such as Audible.com. Audiobooks are also easily found in bookstores in their own section, available in a number of genres including: * Audio Theater * Biography & Memoir * Business & Finance * Children * Classics * Contemporary Culture * Fantasy * Fiction * Historical Fiction * History * Inspirational Fiction * Mystery & Suspense * Personal Growth * Philosophy & Religion * Poetry & Drama * Romantic Fiction * Spanish Audio * Young AdultHow to become a Professional NarratorIf an aspiring artist desires to fully explore narration as a career, there are multiple ways to research the field without having to leave the comfort of home. Some of these research methods include visiting the websites of professional voice over talents, listening to voice-over demos online, and reading up on what industry leaders have to say, including coaches, agents, authorities, and casting directors. Research the industry and see if it’s the right career for you.