{"id":970,"date":"2025-05-19T09:28:53","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T09:28:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/?page_id=970"},"modified":"2025-05-19T09:40:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T09:40:54","slug":"hugh-p-klitzke-the-craft-of-conversational-reads","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/hugh-p-klitzke-the-craft-of-conversational-reads\/","title":{"rendered":"Hugh P Klitzke \u2013 The Craft of Conversational Reads"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns nobotmargin is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-global-color-11-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/LONG-Banner-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/LONG-Banner-scaled-1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/LONG-Banner-scaled-1-300x103.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns nobotmargin has-base-3-color has-global-color-10-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-5a99c94c936a8c58a50acb5cdf2e9364 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-3-color has-global-color-10-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-1fe09e00a13344513206a4444ccad213 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-base-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5d5486657db5733fdfc86cd154ca53c2 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p class=\"nobotmargin has-large-font-size\">Hugh P Klitzke<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hugh is a voiceover coach, director and producer in New York City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He teaches the conversational read, self-direction, the commercial read, directs auditions and produces demos (amongst other things) to professional voiceover talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For nearly fifteen years Hugh was the Voiceover Studio Manager at Buchwald, New York directing booking auditions for every kind of voiceover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To date, Hugh has directed over 125,000 auditions and counting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2023, Hugh was nominated for Best Female Commercial Demo Production at OneVoice, spoke at WOVO, critiqued at NEVO taught workshops for the SAG \/AFTRA Foundation and will present at VO Atlanta in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While teaching classes, private coaching and lecturing, Hugh is writing two books and runs VOnow.CO with Debbie Irwin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hugh has also been the head of sound for Penn and Teller, an Equity Stage Manager, a producer at the Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn (now Detroit), an award winning composer and lyricist for theater, film and digital media, a music theory lecturer at SUNY Purchase, assistant to a Baroque trumpet scholar, a certified K-12 music teacher and two time marathon finisher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find Hugh online at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conversationalvo.com\/\">conversationalvo.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"HUGH P KLITZKE \u2013 The Craft of Conversational Reads\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6ZYro_a9Tbc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe title=\"Voice Acting Unplugged\" allowtransparency=\"true\" height=\"240\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:240px;\" scrolling=\"no\" data-name=\"pb-iframe-player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.podbean.com\/player-v2\/?i=5s4mh-189f05c-pb&#038;from=pb6admin&#038;square=1&#038;share=1&#038;download=1&#038;rtl=0&#038;fonts=Arial&#038;skin=f6f6f6&#038;font-color=auto&#038;logo_link=podcast_page&#038;btn-skin=ff6d00&#038;size=300\"  loading=\"lazy\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Or watch our YouTube channel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-3-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-998fb2a99e0e4b1496ae4526e62f6268\" style=\"background-color:#3cc40c\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@VoiceActingUnplugged\">VOICE ACTING UNPLUGGED TV<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-base-3-color has-global-color-10-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-8f7c64730217493c41fb53773d3cb2d0 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column nobotmargin has-global-color-10-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HUGH P KLITZKE \u2013 The Craft of Conversational Reads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mastering the Art of Conversational Voice Acting with Hugh Klitzke<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Welcome to the latest edition of our blog featuring highlights from \u201cVoice Acting Unplugged,\u201d a podcast dedicated to exploring the intricacies of voice acting. In this episode, hosts Margaret Ashley and Anthony Rudd dive deep into the world of conversational voiceover with industry legend Hugh Klitzke. Hugh shares his vast experience and unique insights into what it truly means to connect with an audience through voice.<br>Introduction to Conversational Voice Acting<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hugh Klitzke, a name synonymous with voiceover coaching and directing, joins our hosts to discuss his journey and approach to the art of voice acting. With a career spanning nearly 15 years as a voiceover studio manager in New York and over 18 years of coaching experience, Hugh has directed an astounding 125,000 sessions. His niche? Conversational voiceover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Evolution of the Conversational Read<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The conversation takes us back to the roots of conversational voiceover, as Hugh explains:<br>\u201cIt really goes back to 1984, to a particular political campaign for President Ronald Reagan. The \u2018Morning in America\u2019 ad, voiced by Hal Reiney, marked a significant shift with its subdued and emotional delivery. This became known as \u2018The Reiney Read\u2019 and set a precedent in the industry.\u201d<br>Hugh further elaborates on how this style evolved, highlighting campaigns like MasterCard\u2019s \u2018Priceless\u2019 that emphasized character without being overly theatrical, reflecting the growing demand for authenticity in advertising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Understanding Interpretation Versus Presentation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A central theme is the distinction between a conversational read and an announcer read. Hugh emphasizes that the former is about interpretation, a skill rooted in emotional understanding rather than simple presentation. \u201cActors traditionally are not taught to present with a tone,\u201d Hugh notes, drawing a parallel to Ian McKellen\u2019s approach to Shakespeare \u2013 understanding the sense behind words to let their natural expression flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Catering to a Modern Audience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The discussion also touches on adapting conversational reads to today\u2019s dynamic audience. Hugh notes, \u201cIt\u2019s not about talking to a friend. It\u2019s about talking to Kim,\u201d stressing the importance of specificity and authenticity. This nuanced approach helps voice actors connect deeply with their audience, aligning content with the right emotional tone.<br>When asked about the newer trends in voiceover, especially with younger audiences, Hugh sheds light on the cultural shift:<br>\u201cYou don\u2019t want someone in their early twenties advising you on your 401k, but they can deliver other messages that resonate authentically with their peers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Navigating Challenges in Voice Acting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The realm of conversational voiceovers isn\u2019t static. While some aspects remain constant, Hugh acknowledges that trends and audience expectations evolve. He reassures that the core of voice acting will always hinge on genuine interaction and adaptability to changing linguistic norms and listener preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Opportunities for Coaching and Growth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To those aspiring to refine their craft, Hugh offers numerous resources through his platform, conversationalvo.com. Whether it\u2019s a free consultation to gauge your potential or joining a Conversational Open Studio session to witness live coaching, Hugh provides invaluable pathways for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For voice actors, both seasoned and new, understanding and mastering the conversational read can open doors to endless possibilities in this ever-evolving industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/\">Margaret<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anthonyrudd.co.uk\/\">Anthony<\/a> next time on Voice Acting Unplugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-contrast-color has-global-color-9-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-38df5a6bc92ec45ef50d5707543d1f66\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/podcasts\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"19\">BACK<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns nomargin has-base-3-color has-global-color-10-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-6c70b7dfcc24a0082470e874ac452c10 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<a class=\"gb-text gb-text-397799a3\" href=\"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/contact\/\">Contact me<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">\u00a92025  Margaret Ashley &#8211; Your Friendly British Female Voice Actor in Purley, London<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hugh P Klitzke Hugh is a voiceover coach, director and producer in New York City. He teaches the conversational read, self-direction, the commercial read, directs auditions and produces demos (amongst other things) to professional voiceover talent. For nearly fifteen years Hugh was the Voiceover Studio Manager at Buchwald, New York directing booking auditions for every &#8230; <a title=\"Hugh P Klitzke \u2013 The Craft of Conversational Reads\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/hugh-p-klitzke-the-craft-of-conversational-reads\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Hugh P Klitzke \u2013 The Craft of Conversational Reads\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-970","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/970","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=970"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/970\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":986,"href":"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/970\/revisions\/986"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/margaretashley.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}