Synonyms
Voice Over.
Introduction
One performer will supply the dialogue for all of the performers on stage.
Description
Low Budget Voice Over is a dubbing handle where one performer has to supply the dialogue for all the performers on stage. Two, or more, actors on stage will start a scene. When they move their mouths the dialogue will be supplied by the designated performer.
This is most successful when the performers working together to create a narrative like any other open scene. When a performer moves her mouth as if speaking she makes no noises, and an dubbing performer must fill in the dialogue.
The performers have to demonstrate exemplary listening skills. The performer doing the dubbing must immediately cease talking when the performer stops moving her mouth. It is recommended that the performers supplying the voices create ones that sound distinctly different.
There is some built in comedy if the voice over is out of synch, but it quickly becomes tiresome. The audience will appreciate well timed dubbing while telling a story adhering to some kind of narrative tool.
Gimmicks
- Multiple performers speak at once.
- Extremities of dialogue force stage performers to react.
- Match a low status voice with a high status character
Variations
- Reverse Dubbing – the dubbing performers cannot see the stage.
- Cross Dubbing – the two actors on stage dub each other’s words.
- Cross Dubbing – two performers supply dialogue for each other.
- Dubbing – Performers dialogue is supplied from offstage.
- Translation Scene – On stage performers speak in gibberish and offstage performers translate.
Credits
- None.