It’s VOG Season: A Guide to Voice of God Announcing for Events and Productions
Businesses have a lot of get-togethers in the 4th and 1st quarters to celebrate their recent accomplishments and set the tone for the new year.
VOG stands for Voice of God. Sometimes people misinterpret that as needing a voice so deep that it causes small cracks in the earth’s surface. That’s not usually cause, although a voice on the deeper side of the spectrum often doesn’t hurt. The most important aspects are authority, clarity, and believability. A VOG announcer should usually not sound like a high energy DJ with emotions that fall completely outside a normal sounding vocal range.
It’s the Voice of God because the voice is disembodied.
I’m not there to deliver the announcements on stage. I’m simply heard over the in-house speaker system. VOG’s can be done live and in-person but, again, not usually with the announcer being visible. The biggest award shows like the Academy Awards will still have a live VOG but you’ll never see their face.
Quite often, VOG jobs amount to clearly and confidently announcing the nominees and winners in different categories of an awards show or conference. I’ve done COUNTLESS jobs in this realm but, funny enough, it’s tough for me to scrape up samples of this work. They’re rarely placed on public platforms after the event and, honestly, I just don’t usually like bugging people for copies of such things.
Set The Tone
Along with the billboards for nominees and winners, there will often be a show open. I will set the tone for the night with a video presentation, reinforcing why it was important for everyone to rent a tux and/or gown, find a babysitter, and gather in the ballroom or travel to (fill in the blank) conference for the weekend.
And that’s where you can have a little fun. Here are three examples from the Energy sector, where I was asked to set three similar, but slight different tones for a conference.
The “Comic Book Hero” Show Open for Hart Energy was intended to play along with the fun graphics style implemented for this show. My voice is in a deeper part of its range while trying to remain fairly stoic:
Then, there’s more of the straight announcer with consistent clarity of purpose approach:
And, finally, a little more on the casual side while still upholding a bit of formality for the occasion:
Why VOG Matters More Than Ever
In our increasingly virtual and hybrid world, the role of VOG has evolved. Virtual events need the same gravitas as physical gatherings, sometimes even more so to maintain engagement through screens. A strong VOG presence can bridge the gap between in-person and remote attendees, creating a unified experience.
Choosing the Right VOG Approach
For production companies and event planners, selecting the right VOG style involves considering:
- Your audience demographics and expectations
- The event’s overall tone and objectives
- Technical capabilities of your venue or platform
- The balance between formality and accessibility
A successful VOG performance doesn’t just announce; it enhances the entire event experience, making every moment feel more significant and every transition smoother. Whether you’re planning an awards ceremony, corporate conference, or hybrid event, understanding the nuances of VOG can elevate your production from solid to unforgettable.