Michael Strawderman
Thomas Harrison Middle School
Performance Class, Grade 8

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Overview: Through a series of sessions on vocal training and script interpretation, each student will produce four short voice-over recordings using the Garageband application. Once the recordings have been edited they will create their very own demo CD and submit it for grading.

SOL:  Theatre Arts M.3, M.5, M.12

Time Required: 12 class periods

Technology Used: Computer, GarageBand software, Internet

Procedure:

  • Day 1: Introduce students to the various aspects of the voice-over industry. Using a PPT presentation and audio clips, share examples of the numerous types of voice-work available to an actor (commercials, animation, telephony, web-learning, audio books, etc.)
  • Day 2:  Using both a PPT presentation and various exercises, students explore their vocal apparatus and the importance of vocal warm-ups.
  • Day 3:  Introduce students to the Script Analysis form, used to effectively analyze the text of a voice-over script before recording.  Areas to be analyzed include determining the target audience, character interpretation, word definition & pronunciation, delivery style, etc.  Students will then be given guided practice using sample voice-over scripts provided by the teacher.
  • Day 4: A ""how-to"" demonstration on the features of  Garageband will be presented by the teacher.  Supporting on-line resources will also be shared with the students (i.e., Freeplaymusic.com - a site featuring a variety of royalty-free instrumental tracks that can be used for V.O. projects). Students will then use their analyzed script from the previous class session to produce a recording of the script on Garageband.  If time permits, students share their edited recording with fellow classmates.
  • Day 5: Students are provided with a catalogue of voice-over scripts and must select four scripts that they would like to record and produce over the course of the next week.
  • Day 6-11: Students are provided by copies of their selected voice-over scripts.  Prior to recording , they are required to complete a Script Analysis form for each project.
  • Day 12: Students are taught how to compile their V.O. projects and burn them onto a Demo CD that they will submit to the teacher for grading.

Assessment: Upon receipt of their Demo CD, each of the student's projects will be graded on the following criteria:

  • Clear articulation and pacing
  • Correct pronunciation of all text
  • Smooth reading of text
  • Effective use of vocal expression
  • Completion of a Script Analysis form for each project
  • Meets the required time length for each V.O. project
  • Incorporates sound effects and supporting music to enhance each V.O. project

Describe how the use of technology affected student learning: Students were reliant on using the Garage Band application to produce four individual voice-over projects (Radio commercials, industrials, audio books, promos, etc.). They recorded their voice, edited it for sound quality and time, and then mixed their voice-overs with downloaded background music from freeplaymusic.com (a royalty-free music source on the internet).