voice-over narration

Meaning

Refers to a technique where an off-screen voice speaks over video footage, providing commentary, context, or character thoughts. It is commonly used in documentaries, films, and commercials to guide the audience's understanding without requiring the speaker to be visible on screen.

Examples

• The documentary relies heavily on voice-over narration to guide viewers through the complex historical timeline.

  The documentary relies heavily on voice-over narration to guide viewers through the complex historical timeline.

• Critics argued that the film's voice-over narration was unnecessary and spelled out too much of the plot.

  Critics argued that the film's voice-over narration was unnecessary and spelled out too much of the plot.

• She secured a lucrative contract doing voice-over narration for nature documentaries.

  She secured a lucrative contract doing voice-over narration for nature documentaries.

• The director chose to use voice-over narration to convey the protagonist's internal monologue.

  The director chose to use voice-over narration to convey the protagonist's internal monologue.

• Without the voice-over narration, the abstract opening sequence of the movie would be difficult to follow.

  Without the voice-over narration, the abstract opening sequence of the movie would be difficult to follow.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The movie has a good voice-talking narration.

  ✓ The movie has good voice-over narration.

  'Voice-talking' is not a recognized term in media; 'voice-over' is the correct compound adjective.

• ✗ He did a voice-over narrative for the commercial.

  ✓ He did the voice-over narration for the commercial.

  'Narrative' refers to the story itself, while 'narration' refers to the active delivery or spoken commentary of the story.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The director decided to cut the ___ and let the actors' expressions tell the story.

  💡 The off-screen spoken commentary.

  Show answer

  voice-over narration

• I am auditioning for a role that requires a warm, authoritative tone for the documentary's ___.

  💡 The spoken explanation track laid over the video.

  Show answer

  voice-over narration