Nancy Wolfson Asks

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Nancy Wolfson Asks "Are You In Your Head?"

Just received an email from Break Into Voice Over. I asked Nancy Wolfson if I may post some of what she had to say for my readers. I know you will find it helpful. Oh, for those who may not know who Nancy is, suffice it to say, she has over 15 years experience in the Entertainment business, ranging from being a voiceover agent , producer, corporate consultant and casting director to voiceover coach and more....you can learn more about Nancy Wolfson here.

Are You "In Your Head"? Perhaps You SHOULD BE...

A familiar issue came up today as a student was struggling to find the point of the story in the ad copy. After much aggravation, he exclaimed in frustration that the reads aren't working because he was getting too much "IN HIS HEAD"... implying (blaming?) that his reads were disintegrating because he was "over-thinking" it.

Which of course, got me thinking...

There is a big difference between "over-thinking" and NECESSARY thinking.
Reminds me of our discussions about the difference between rote random practice "for practice's sake"
versus the superior results that come from practice based on pattern recognition.

"Over-thinking" implies there had actually been something broadly useful in earlier takes that was getting progressively mucked up from excessive good thinking. As if there was already a decently decorated room that was now getting "over-decorated" with too many throw pillows, sconces, and wall bling.

Sure, maintaining a necessary level of looseness is important, but if you're still getting director notes, you've not yet hit a very necessary level of Necessary Thinking.
It was not necessarily all that "good" before next levels of thinking began.
You can't "over" think something that had not YET been reflecting enough good thought.

The If/Only chapter in our most recent teleseminar offers an easy critical analysis method you can use in the "Necessary Thinking" that will help get your reads "great." Enjoy it...but more importantly, don't forget to use it!