Awards Ceremony – VOG Voice Over
The term “Voice of God” (VOG) is commonly used in award ceremonies, galas, fundraising benefits, theatre productions, concerts and other live events, and refers to an anonymous, disembodied voice that delivers general messages to the audience. Most often, VOG is used for:
- Audience directions: “Please turn off all electronic devices!”
- Speaker introductions: “And now, welcome to the stage, your host for this evening, Jane Lynch!” and
- Performer substitutions: “Playing the role of Hamilton tonight will be…” (at this point you’ve stopped listening because you’re so disappointed that you’re not seeing who you came to see!)
Clients
Yes, She’s a woman.
Yes, She’s a woman.
Hear the voice of God with just a click.
Oftentimes it’s an opportunity for a voiceover talent to show her skills live and in person at some pretty amazing events. It could be a star-studded award show, a non-profit honoring the achievements of an individual, a fundraiser of an important cause, and everything in between. From Voice of God (VOG) type of announcements to pre-recorded videos describing the achievements of nominees and honorees, this type of voiceover narration is poised, emotive and commands your attention.
In the case of gala events and award ceremonies, the VOG plays a vital role in orchestrating the evening’s schedule, from corralling people away from the cocktail-hour area to their tables, and introducing the presenters. When you’re on site and performing the VOG live, anything can happen and you have to be prepared for everything.
Technical difficulties? You’ve got to ask and thank the audience for their patience.
Last minute changes? You’ve got to speak with calm authority to get the message across.
All three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, refer to the voice of God, coming from the highest, holiest place, with the invisibility of the speaker and a distinct quality in the sound, regardless of its strength or weakness.
In many Talmudic stories, the phrase bat kol, which literally means “daughter of a voice”, appears often and represents a heavenly or divine voice to human beings with no apparent physical source.
Many men have been associated with the VOG sound, among them:
- James Earl Jones, as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars
- Don LaFontaine, narrator of many film trailers
- Morgan Freeman, in Bruce Almighty and Evan Almighty and
- Don Pardo, former announcer on Saturday Night Live
However, women are finding their voice in the heavens as well, and on Broadway, the Academy Awards, in films, galas and awards shows for nonprofits and corporations alike. Mother Nature is taking her rightful place at the table of tables and it’s quite a show!