The Power of the Pause

In the study of Meditation, we are taught to be in the “pause”.  Simply, this means to allow for space between thoughts.

In voice-overs, equally important is the pause, also between thoughts, phrases, or sentences.

Working with thousands of scripts over the years, I am always refining the pause, perfecting the timing.   It feels intuitive, something you just know.  But whether innate or learned, the rhythm of a script is indeed musical.  As each script hums along, slow and thoughtful or quick and high energy, the pauses are of utmost importance in bringing it to life, at times making it sound conversational, but most of all, making it sound natural no matter the subject matter.

Even if the words are pronounced correctly, articulately, and with feeling, I will re-record a script if the timing of the pauses doesn’t feel right.  Each script has a rhythm, and when the pause is too short, too long, or missing, it sounds off to me. At times, I need to edit out breaths and pauses, in order to fit in all the words required.  However, most of the time, I can allow the script to breathe, even just a little, giving it a life of its own.

Perhaps that is what is meant by being in the “pause” … allowing ourselves pause, to truly bring ourselves to life.

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5 Comments

  1. Mary Jane Copps

    Again – a brilliant post I think. First, I love the idea of a pause that “brings us to life”. We all needs those, likely at several points in each day, to help us re-focus and re-engage. And there is something here that is similar to phone communication. I often “insert” pauses and white space into a conversation in order to help it flow properly. You may have given me another post! Thanks, Natasha.

    Reply
    • natashamarchewka

      Indeed, pauses in phone conversations, and any conversations, are worth thinking about. Whether to breathe, to think, to hear, to allow…all good reasons to pause! Thanks for the great feedback, Mary Jane!

      Reply
  2. paulschouw

    So that’s my problem!… I talk in very long animated run-on sentences… so much to say, no time to pause, often no time to breathe… Amazing I don’t turn blue… Thanks for the tips. Sorry, that’s all u need is a wise-cracking, albeit adoring, old uncle…

    Reply
  3. Norrie Matthews

    Hi Natasha. We’re loving the new blog and enjoy reading your posts. Congratulations for getting going with it. We know how much work is involved in keeping a blog consistent! Cheers – Norrie and Kari

    Reply
    • natashamarchewka

      So thrilled we can stay in touch, even just by our blogs! Best wishes to all of you!!

      Reply

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