What are lead-in lines?
If you try to do an internet search for this term, you get nothing! This is definitely VO jargon. A lead-in line is when you improvise or ad lib into the scripted words. You’re giving yourself a running start leading into those scripted
words. So when you say the scripted text, you’re speaking naturally and authentically. At least that’s the hope.
How do you use them in practice?
Let’s look at the opening lines of three different scripts: A standard commercial, a corporate narration, and a two-person commercial. These partial script examples are solely to understand the concept. Seeing a whole script may lead you in a different direction.
Your running start or lead-in line could be anything you imagine making sense to say before the start of the script.
Script opening one:
“It’s easier than ever to keep track of your business IT tasks. With MyMobile, there’s one place to track and prepare for new orders.”
Possible lead-in lines:
“You know, I’ve been researching this…”
“I know, right?”
Script opening two:
“Storm season can be a worrisome time for homeowners. Hail and damaging winds can batter your roof. At Christian Brothers Roofing we understand.”
Possible lead-in lines:
“Storms are in the forecast and you know what that means.”
“It’s almost that time of year.”
Script opening three:
Doctor: Ms Miles you’ve passed this year’s annual check-up with flying colors. There’s only one more thing to do – schedule a few routine cancer screenings.
Patient: Why – are you concerned I might have cancer?
Doctor: No, not at all.
Possible lead-in lines:
“Well, we’re about done.”
“This is all great…”
Are lead-in lines important?
They sure can be, as long as you use them effectively! You may not use them in every script, but having this as part of your VO actor tool kit is beneficial. In most cases you won’t send in the unscripted part. That’s ok as long as it helps you create a moment of acting, of believing you’re in the moment of the script. It’s a little trick to help you get there.
The point is to use something very natural and conversational that you would say, even if you’d never say the words in the script exactly as they’re written. You use the lead-in line/running start/ad lib to bridge from your own words to words written for you to say. As long as you keep that flow – from yours to theirs – it’s helping you.
Some VO students can struggle with this concept of making stuff up as a bridge to the script. To them, I suggest looking at these as a trick that helps rather than being additional work. I have felt it’s not needed for every script. In some cases, I’ve found it to be extremely helpful in finding a smoother entrance into the script. Most pros I know feel it can help, and when you need it, employ it.
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