« Sterling Stevenson says voice over talents are not just all TALK!

February 21, 2009

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Interview With Voice Over Talent Sterling Stevenson

Sterling Stevenson is one of those rare and remarkable voice over talents who breathes energy and life into any script. He brings tons of efficiency to sessions. Sterling asks smart questions, gets out the message to be conveyed and nails superb performances in only a take or two. Sterling is versatile and makes the voice over process effortless. What really seems to separate him from so many other voice over talent is his gift for doing dialogue. Dialogue demands understanding the bigger picture of a scene. Sterling brings to dialogue an excellent sense of timing, rhythm and comedic nuance that others don’t hear every day. Sterling comes highly recommended for offline or online audio campaigns.

Tiffanie: Can you give us a little bit of your background? How you got into voice over?

Sterling: After high school graduation, I began working a pointless, meaningless job.  I realized that there was so much more in store for me if I furthered my education.  After a brief struggle between whether to go or not to go, I enrolled at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida as a history major, with a concentration in African-American studies.  Originally, I aspired to become an educator.  My freshman composition instructor heard the tone quality of my voice, diction and articulation and IMMEDIATELY suggested that I consider broadcast Journalism.  I looked at the curriculum, and decided to give it a try.

My first endeavor in media was at the campus radio station, WAMF, 90.5 as “Mid-nite”.  My tenure there was brief, however, it was there I learned the power of a voice.

Tiffanie: How do you think voice over services can benefit virtualpreneurs (online business owners)?

Sterling: There are two means of communication; verbal and non-verbal.  Simply put, THE WORDS THAT ARE SPOKEN encompasses verbal communication.  EVERYTHING ELSE, (i.e. tone, voice inflection, speech tempo, etc) are non-verbal factors.  Surprisingly, people are more likely to associate non-verbal means of communication with the words they hear.  Think of when you were a child learning the alphabet.  The tune you were actually singing was “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, but you associated it with your ABC’s!  The concept is the same with a voice talent’s ability to associate his or her voice with YOUR product.  TEST TIME!!!  I’m going to simply give you the words, and I guarantee you will hear the voice associated with it.

“Are you in good hands?”

“Let’s get ready to rumble!”

“This is CNN”

My objective is to make them remember your product or service with not only my verbal, but also with my non-verbal nuances and tones that will create an imprint in the consumer’s mind that YOUR product is superior, will outperform and  is the best product that their money can buy!

Tiffanie: How does the voice over process actually work?

Sterling: The voice over process is simple.  If an advertiser decides that I have the sound they’re looking for, a series of recordings is done and the client selects which works best for them.  Ultimately, the voice talent gives the client a multiplicity of variations from which to choose.  Once the “fit” is made, it goes to production/master mix record.  DONE!!!

Tiffanie: What are some tips and guidelines others should use when hiring a voice over talent?

Sterling: SHOP AROUND.  As much as my pocket hates to admit it, I may not be the voice talent for every company.  For example, my voice has been described as velvety, mellow and soothing.  I wouldn’t be an ideal fit for a heavy metal concert commercial!!!  However, I’m sure you’ve all heard the late night advertisements for the “Midnight Love” music collection.  If given the opportunity, I KNOW I COULD HELP TEM SELL AT LEAST A MILLION MORE COPIES!!!  In a nutshell, get the fit that most well fits you…

Tiffanie: And – what is next for you?  

Sterling: Hmmm, just keep listening you never know where you will hear my work!!!  My most recent project was with EA Sports’ John Madden 2010, (release date August 2009).  I talked A LOT of trash in the game!  To date, that was the most fun project I have done!  My favorite line is me doing the voice of a linebacker telling the quarterback after a sack to “Change his team colors to pink and white”.  Also, I will be hosting an internet radio show for lovers.  The demographic ages 25 and up, African-American, college educated women.  So any in need of advertising, please, contact my agent Jerome Fenner at fennertainment@yahoo.com.

Tiffanie: How can others get in contact with you for voice over services?

Sterling: Currently, I work exclusively for Fennertainment, based in Orlando, Florida.  We offer not only voice- overs, but, ANY audio recordings, or voice enhancements.

Contact Jerome Fenner at:  fennertainment@yahoo.com.

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