Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Voiceover
Voiceover
3
16204
1
First semester
OB
Main language of instruction: Catalan
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
In-person tutoring sessions: Mondays at 9:30 AM upon prior email confirmation: mvidalt@uic.es. Online tutoring is also available during other time slots.
Introduction
Voiceover is the discipline that enables the professional and conscious use of the voice to convey content across sound and audiovisual media. It applies various techniques aimed at ensuring message comprehension, capturing listener attention, and building credibility and empathy with the audience. In today's multichannel journalistic environment, knowing how to communicate effectively through voice is an essential skill for any future professional.
Pre-course requirements
This course does not require any prerequisites.
Objectives
- Develop awareness of the importance of good voice delivery in ensuring message effectiveness and credibility.
- Learn to use the voice professionally, credibly, and effectively.
- Adapt voiceover techniques to different journalistic formats (news, magazine shows, features, documentaries, etc.).
- Adjust delivery pacing to the timing demands of each format.
- Develop improvisation skills for radio and television programs, paying special attention to live and live-to-tape broadcasts.
- Draft journalistic texts using effective radio and audiovisual language, specifically tailored for smooth reading and listening: "writing for the ear".
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN01 - Recognise contemporary social and media realities, contextualise historical events, and identify newsworthy issues at local, national and international levels.
- CN02 - Identify the various stakeholders in contemporary journalism, their roles and the operational dynamics of a digital and globalised environment.
- CN05 - Define concepts and specialised journalistic terminology in English.
- CN06 - Recognise the principal artificial intelligence tools with applications in journalism.
- CP01 - Work effectively in professional journalism teams, adapting to multidisciplinary and changing environments.
- CP02 - Apply professional ethical principles and standards of academic rigour in journalism, recognising the current legal and ethical framework and respecting the fundamental right to equality between women and men, promoting human rights, a culture of peace and democratic values, including the use of inclusive, non-discriminatory and stereotype-free language.
- CP03 - Analyse audiences within the digital media ecosystem in order to develop content for diverse audiences.
- CP05 - Critically analyse national and international journalism in order to assess its influence on public opinion and current affairs.
- CP06 - Produce innovative, multi-platform journalistic content using narrative techniques and approaches specific to each medium and format.
- CP07 - Create innovative multimedia products by integrating graphic design, emerging technologies and elements of digital culture to communicate information in an engaging and accessible way across all devices.
- HB01 - Interpret relevant data obtained from a variety of sources.
- HB02 - Present and defend journalistic projects orally and in writing in Catalan, Spanish and English.
- HB03 - Transform information into engaging and aesthetically effective messages.
- HB04 - Use a range of media research and documentation resources.
- HB05 - Distinguish between information, opinion and manipulation, applying verification and source-checking techniques to debunk misinformation and identify content generated by artificial intelligence.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon passing this course, students will be able to consciously and professionally use their voice as a communication tool in journalistic and audiovisual settings.
Students will recognize the formal requirements of each journalistic genre or audiovisual format and apply the appropriate voiceover techniques for each. They will also learn to adapt written text for spoken delivery and audio language, developing improvisation skills through practical exercises.
Syllabus
- Phonation and vocal hygiene.
- Articulation, vocalization, and diction.
- Adapting vocal register to different journalistic formats.
- Rhythm and pacing as fundamental dynamics for a credible and persuasive speaker.
- Writing for presenters: writing to be read aloud.
- Structured improvisation techniques.
- News delivery and broadcasting.
- Entertainment delivery and conversational formats.
- Narrative delivery, feature reporting, and new audio formats.
- Commercial and advertising voiceover.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | ECTS CREDITS |
| Coaching. Monitoring how students learn the content of the subject, either individually or in groups. In the coaching sessions, mistakes will be corrected, queries answered, and exercises and activities to achieve the established objectives will be suggested. | 1,3 |
| Lectures. In lectures, lecturers/professors not only transmit content or knowledge, but also, and above all else, attitudes, motivation, skills and values, etc. They also ensure that participants can express their opinions and arguments to the other students. | 0,9 |
| Peer learning. The aim of this activity is to ensure that students gain the ability to analyse and be critical. One way of achieving this is by correcting their peers' exercises and results, etc. Each student will be evaluated twice: as both a recipient and a transmitter of critical knowledge. | 0,5 |
| Meeting Point. Meetings will be organised with notable people from the professional and scientific fields or the international field, and students. These sessions will take the form of conferences, work sessions, discussions, or interviews, etc. | 0,3 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Voiceover is a continuously assessed course. An 80% class attendance rate is required. The assessment consists of:
- Practical assignments throughout the semester: 35%
- Final written exam: 25%
- Final voice recording exam: 40%
Bibliography and resources
- Blanch, Margarita; Lázaro, Patrícia (2010). Aula de locución. Madrid: Cátedra.
- Blanco, I., Fernández Martínez, P. (coordinadors) (2004). El Lenguaje radiofónico: la comunicación oral. Madrid: Fragua.
- Rodero, Emma. (2003). Locución radiofónica. Madrid: Instituto Oficial de Radio y Televisión.