How to Write a Voice Over for Film

Voice over is one of the most useful tools in screenwriting when it’s incorporated into the film appropriately, but if it’s not used the right way or if the voice over is overdone, the results can be subpar. Done right, voice over can be used to provide the audience with unique insight into the inner thoughts of a character or it can help the audience better understand the narrator’s version of how the story played out. However, learning how to write a voice over for film represents a task that many beginning screenwriters struggle to perfect.

Between the formatting of a voice over and the actual dialogue that is delivered. Learning how to write a voice over for film is certainly something that takes some time to get right. To help you with the process, we’ve put together this guide on how to write a voice over for film.

Formatting a Voiceover

Before you write a voice over in a film, you’ve got to format the voice over. Formatting a voice over begins with denoting “V.O.” before a character’s name in the screenplay. So that the reader knows that the upcoming dialogue is only to be heard by the audience.

It is not meant to be “heard” by characters in the scene. Thus, characters of the film are to act as if they did not hear the voice over.

Whatever information is provided from the voice over should represent the point of view of the narrator. Or the character who’s thoughts the voice over is portraying.

Tips for Writing Voice Over for Film

Once you know how to write a voice over for a film from a formatting perspective. It’s time to start thinking about the actual dialogue that you’ll be representing in the voice over.

Recall that voice overs can be used to provide unique character insight as the audience will hear what the character is thinking. Voice overs can also be used to offer the narrator’s insight into the story, from their unique viewpoint.

As you’re thinking about how to write a voice over for a film, consider first what NOT to do! As a beginning screenwriter, you might have even been told not to use voice over at all. This is because, as a newbie screenwriter, it’s easy to get in trouble with voice overs.

So, before you write a voice over for a film, make sure that you don’t do the following:

• Use the voice over to tell, rather than to show, your story. Don’t fall into this voice over trap of telling rather than showing.
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• Use a voice over to get yourself out of a screenwriting hole of sorts. If you’re stuck in your screenwriting and having trouble getting out of the current situation within your story. Don’t use a voice over as a crutch. Figure out how to eloquently continue to share your story. Without imparting a voice over as a crutch.

To Sum it all up

Knowing how to write a voice over for a film is not only an important task, but it’s one that’s going to take some practice if you’re going to get it right.

Consider the use of voice over narration to help add insight to your character’s thoughts. To provide unique insight beyond what a character is speaking, and to go beyond just offering an expository of details.

Make sure that your learn how to write a voice over for a film in a way that it is most valuable to sharing your story through a show, not tell, manner.