Chris Ciulla
The Boston Voice Guy has completely taken off!
DOSSIER: Regarding your process for delivering exceptional quality in your audiobook narration, how many times do you read through the book and how much book/author research do you do before you hit that record button?
CIULLA: Hi Jeff! I read through the book once, but thoroughly. I mark each character that appears and has dialogue, along with any other character description that’s on the page. I’m also marking words that I don’t know how to pronounce, or words that I can’t define. I look all those up before I narrate to make sure we’re delivering an accurate storytell.
I also try to communicate with the author, if I’m allowed to by the publisher. If I’m not allowed, I see what books are in the library of the author, and figure out the tone of their work. I’ll listen to some of the audio that the author has out in the marketplace, especially if it’s a continuation of an existing world/universe, and there are characters that are canon in their audio world.
A three-dimensional performance
DOSSIER: Although you skillfully craft your narration around your interpretation of each book character, do you have a particular style you save for certain kinds of books or specific authors you work with on a regular basis?
CIULLA: I definitely have a list of what we call “stock characters” that I’ve developed over the years that are my primary starting points for key characters. However, it then becomes my job to alter either certain vocal qualities or character traits, so that they’re best translating a three-dimensional performance that matches the character written by that specific author.
I sometimes also employ the use of archetypes as starting points, and then usually pull them back to a grounded, relatable state.
Providing narration and full production services
DOSSIER: Can authors request that you narrate their book? How would that work?
CIULLA: Yes, they can certainly request for my involvement as narrator. In my case, they can also request that Leonardo Audio, my audiobook production company, handle all aspects of audio production for them.
If under contract with an audio publisher, in certain cases, your agent has secured that you are to be involved in casting the narrator. In that instance, simply mention to your audiobook producer within the audiobook publishing company that you’d like me to narrate your book. They may want to hear a few different options, but you’re welcome to be persistent in your wishes to have me narrate it for you (lol).
Also, if you’re independently producing your audio, it’s a simple email to myself at chris@leonardoaudio.com, and we start to chat about putting your production together.
A little too loud, Chris?
DOSSIER: What’s the biggest mistake you made in recording an audiobook and how did that work out with the author, producer, and/or audience?
CIULLA: Not necessarily a mistake, but something important I learned to get better. I was an on-camera actor and host in LA when I started pursuing audiobooks in 2012. So I walked into audiobooks with a strong vocal instrument.
But I didn’t understand yet how intimate audiobook storytelling needs to be. And also how when we’re narrating, we’re chatting with one person, not a theater full of people. So with my early stuff, the narrator is a little too energetic, and a little too loud. Once I realized how important getting quiet was, this process became wonderful.
The magical routine
DOSSIER: When are you at your best in the booth? Morning, afternoon, or night? Do you have a particular routine, requirement, or practice that helps you operate at the top of your game?
CIULLA: I’m at my best in the afternoon and evening. Sometimes, when scheduled by a publishing client in their studio, we can’t control when we’re scheduled. But as I’ve aged, I now require a bit more of a warmup routine to get my vocal instrument ready for my sessions. Exercise in the AM for blood flow and body heat, and breakfast and coffee followed by tea is an important routine to maintain.
He said / she said
DOSSIER: Bonus question: What’s the biggest message writers (or listeners) need to hear from audiobook narrators about the whole audiobook process that would help you produce the best possible rendition?
CIULLA: Thank you for this question. Authors, please listen to audiobooks in your genres. Find your comps (comparisons) of your book, and get to know who are the best narrators out there working in those categories. The more educated you are about those topics, the more you’ll be a valuable member of the production team.
Also, think about audio while you’re writing your book. Figure out what text would be superfluous in that version. We as narrators are great at figuring out which characters are speaking during our book prep. You don’t necessarily need dialogue tags for each line.
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