So many people use the smooth and polished misconception when they’re
defining their television goals to me! As soon as I share that these
are 2 descriptions to run from- I get the sense that they’re thinking of
running away.
It was the same thing when I used to tell folks I loved Peter Lorre's voice.
For those of you who may not be familiar with him- he was a terrific actor
in the Humphrey Bogart era- and had a voice a bit like a cat on helium.
My point here is that we want to be natural speaking ‘oral’ journalists..
and the natural voice is far from smooth and polished. Sure- women
applying for phone sex jobs may attempt to fake something within this
realm.. but our conversational, information-sharing voices are much more
like unsyncopated jazz. If you eavesdrop on a random
conversation you’ll hear unexpected and ‘jerky’ highs/lows.. upward and
downward inflections.. louder and softer volume.. sudden pauses and at other
times strings of run-on comments.
The voice becomes the semantic vehicle for the messages we share. As
journalists reporting information, we can’t shut out thoughts that- based on
what we know- fall into categories like things that are expected.. a bit
surprising.. sad.. seemingly confounding or foolish.. auspicious.. etc. If
we’re on-camera we do our best to keep a neutral expression.. and we never
intend to editorialize.. but our voice will have a certain ‘ebb and flow’
carrying the information- based on our natural, personal style of
self-expression. And- our eyes are never dead.
By taking an extra moment to internalize information enough to think about
who or what this is.. and what’s going on.. we automatically jumpstart a
thoughtful, natural style. We are SHARING the news with one person at
a time.
We are not performing.. we are not attempting to be smooth-speaking like
silk or fabulous-sounding like an opera star.
At least once every week or so someone will ask me “how would you say
that?”. Well- it depends on how I (as a journalist) see the nuances
and implications of the story.. and your take on it may or may not be the
same as mine.
I recently had to replay information 'performed' by a local anchor because
his slick style and injections of inhalations overrode my ability to follow
what he said: "A boiled water advisory is in effect until further notice for
parts of [ ] county it affects the communities of [6 towns]". Sure, he
may be more handsome than my boyfriend.. and boy can he sit up straight..
but if I want to be charmed by some sultry guy's voice- I'll play my Barry
White cd.
My warmest to you all,
Joanne Stevens
Previously featured on
the Radio Television Digital News Association
as the News Coach blog series.