INTERVIEW : Jessica-Virginia Mouffok, voice-over artist

We were pleased to meet Jessica-Virginia Mouffok, a native german voice over artist and trained actress. Jessica lives in Hamburg, she also speaks English as a second language (non native). We talked about her daily job, what is a voice over artist doing and which equipment she needs for her work. She has tested the fernBerrie, an audio codec manufactured by Ferncast.

Ferncast: What does your everyday job involve?

Jessica: My typical work day starts, with preparing scripts for the next recordings, checking my e-mails and answering my clients voiceover’s requests, which means finding out if all the necessary information is given to be able to send them an adequate rate. Sometimes I have to negotiate rates or explain my rate card to the clients.I also ask if they like to listen in and direct the recording session or record remotely. I regularly record voiceover jobs and castings. Some projects, like local radio spots, generally need to be done as soon as possible, so after I receive the scripts, I do a quick vocal warm up and record two or three versions on my own and I send the raw file over to my clients or we set a time and we record them remotely. I am doing most of my recordings at my own voiceover studio and the other ones in recording studios in Hamburg, where I live. Now more than ever before, clients, studios and agencies, want to record the voiceovers remotely, which I can offer, back then via ISDN, and now via IP, so I don´t have to record on my side and I can fully concentrate on my voiceover performance. This way I can get a direct feedback and there are barely any retakes to be done as the clients, mostly media companies and recording studios, can check immediately if everything fits. Between all the recordings my day is filled with doing aquisitions, calling or writing to existing and new clients, reading and writing posts in my voiceover groups, listening to voiceover podcasts, learning new skills, chatting with colleagues, working on technical things, like learning how to use new software or hardware for my studio doing some stretches and voice exercises, preparing scripts etc. I am also working on my website update, asking clients for the finished recordings and videos and cutting demos from my last recordings to add them to my references and send them to new and existing clients. In between all that, I go for a walk as often as possible to get some fresh air.

Ferncast: Why do you need an audio codec for your job and what are your expectations?

Jessica: In my everyday work I need a professional hardware, pre configured, which is stable and has an easy to handle user interface, so I can fully concentrate on my core profession, voiceover, and I don´t need to manage any additional requirements around the audio transmision and recording. That part is done on the clients side. This also means that the studios/clients should be able to quickly check how the voiceover is matching their requirements like tone and timing and if it is matching their video and/or time codes.

Ferncast: What are your first impressions after testing the fernBerrie?

Jessica: It’s an easy to use audio codec with a beautiful designed interface, instantly usable for my voiceover jobs. Clients can save my IP address and choose which codec formats they like to use for the current session. So simple!

Ferncast: How do you see the future for voiceover?

Jessica: The voiceover market is growing and I get new requests for video games, documentaries, dubbing, commercials, corporate videos, audio guide, podcast, presentations and podcast commercials, dubbing and more.  I have noticed that more and more clients and therefore voiceovers, are willing to record remotely. Due to the pandemic and the lockdowns many of them tested it for the first time and they appreciate the benefits that come with the remote solutions. For everyone involved, that means less traveling and more possibilities for voiceovers and clients as well. To benefit from it, we as professional voiceovers, need a sound treated room or voiceover booth and professional equipment. Regarding the future of voiceovers I am optimistic because it´s growing therefore opens many new opportunities.

 

Written by Virginie Danker

Virginie studied at the EDHEC Business School in France and received her degree as Master-Marketing She has a lot of experience in the telecommunication industry and has lived in places all over the world, including Paris, Helsinki, Buenos Aires and Amsterdam before joining the Ferncast team in Germany as Marketing Manager. She is responsible for all marketing activities and planning, as well as being our PR contact at Ferncast.
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February 07, 2021

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