Voice-over, narration & voice casting · Core
Voice-over
Also called: VO
ELI5
A voice heard over the picture without the speaker necessarily appearing on screen.
Used in conversation
“The voice-over gives us context without stopping the action for exposition.”
Definition
Recorded speech heard over images without necessarily showing the speaker delivering it at that moment.
Here “Voice-over” means: Recorded speech heard over images without necessarily showing the speaker delivering it at that moment.
Pitch context
You may encounter “Voice-over” in sound, music & voice conversations or materials.
Why it matters: Explains dialogue, effects, atmosphere, music, voice and the technical work of making them intelligible.
Sources & evidence · 8
Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.
- European Broadcasting Union — EBU R 128 Loudness Normalisation and Permitted Maximum Level of Audio SignalsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Dolby — Dolby Atmos Content CreationSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- World Wide Web Consortium — Making Audio and Video Media AccessibleSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Netflix — Partner Help Center Delivery SpecificationsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Screen Australia — What is a Synopsis? An Outline? A Treatment?Supporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- Screen Australia — Story Documents: DramaSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- ScreenSkills — Online Learning Glossary and Job ProfilesSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- pitch.dog — Pitch Dictionary Deep Research SynthesisSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-14