What Makes a Great Storyteller? Thom Pinto Talks Documentary and Docuseries Narration

About this episode

Marc Scott interviews Thom Pinto about the art of storytelling in documentary narration.

What makes a great storyteller in voice over? In this episode of the Everyday VOpreneur Podcast, Marc Scott sits down with legendary voice actor and coach Thom Pinto to break down the art of storytelling in documentary and docuseries narration. From visualization and emotional connection to understanding network styles and structure, Thom shares decades of insight into what separates average reads from compelling, bookable performances. If you’ve ever wanted to break into documentary narration or simply become a stronger storyteller in your voice over work, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately. 🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:• What actually makes someone a great storyteller• Why visualization is the #1 skill for narration• How storytelling has evolved across networks like Discovery, Nat Geo, and PBS• The importance of understanding brand and audience• Common mistakes voice actors make in documentary auditions• How to structure your reads for long-form narration• Why you need to consume the genre you want to book• The role of music, pacing, and emotional connection• Practical audition tips to stand out in narration Whether you’re brand new to…

People in this episode

Host: Marc Scott

Guest: Thom Pinto

Topics covered

• storytelling
• voice over
• documentary narration
• audition tips
• emotional connection

Keywords

• great storyteller
• visualization
• network styles
• audience understanding
• common mistakes
• long-form narration
• music and pacing
• practical audition tips

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