Commercial | Promo | Documentaries | E-Learning | Narration | Museum Tours | Animation | Podcasts
About Ellen
Ellen Press is a "wise and quirky" storyteller who brings over two decades of writing and live performance experience directly to the mic. An LA native raised in a family of social justice activists, Ellen brings a straightforward, authentic approach to every script. Whether you need a patient teacher, a bold professional, or even the "cool but embarrassing mom," her versatile voice styles range from serene to silly.
Ellen infuses her work with a light-hearted quirkiness... the kind that comes from not being afraid to sing "Do-Re-Mi" out loud at the Pegasus fountain in Salzburg! When she’s not in her home studio narrating commercials, documentaries, e-learning, or podcasts, this practicing yogini loves a good hike, unwinding in the fresh air of Mammoth Mountain, and adamantly defending chocolate as a health food.
TESTIMONIALS
It was a pleasure to collaborate with Ellen on our original project, 8 Omens, where she played the priestess, Ichtaca.
Alex Lang - Alex Lang Media
"Ellen's choice of tones for this project was exactly what we needed. Her style invites the listener in, as it's articulate and natural. Working with Ellen Press was smooth and easy. Her professionalism was displayed throughout the project and within business communications, She was flexible and timely with the changes that needed to be made. I look forward to hiring Ellen again for future projects."
Andrew Milder - School Radio
"Ellen was very professional and a great communicator. She was easy to work with and willing and eager to implement feedback and input to deliver the exact sound and tone that we wanted."
David Anderson - LP Media Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pace the narration to allow visitors enough time to take in the exhibit?
This comes from taking time to read and appreciate the direction and what the client is looking for.
How do you sustain audience attention and match the film's emotional arc over a long runtime?
Before transitioning into voice over, I was a professional storyteller before live audiences. I have acquired skills for holding a listener’s attention.
What is the ideal word count for a 60, 90, or 120-second explainer video?
A standard, natural speaking pace translates to about 150 words per minute or 2.5 words per second.
What is the standard difference in tone between internal training and public B2B videos?
I approach internal training videos like eLearning or technical narration; The goal is to communicate the information with a pace and tone that ensures understanding and engagement throughout potentially dense material. Public-facing B2B videos are typically energetic and welcoming, needing to grab the listeners attention, introduce a problem and it’s solution in a short amount of time.
How do usage rights and licensing work for broadcast versus digital media?
Generally, “Broadcast” usage indicates paid-placement advertising (TV and radio commercials, social media advertisements, etc.) and is quoted based on the geographic area reached and length of placement. Digital Media most often refers to non-paid (“non-broadcast”) placement including organic social media and company website and is negotiated based-on the length of the script and specific usage.
Available Globally Through Her Broadcast Ready Home Studio
Conveniently Located in the Heart of
LA Studios
High-Quality Recording Environment
Professional Grade Equipment & Software
Microphone: Sennheiser MKH 416
Daw: Logic Pro
Interface: Scarlett 2i2
Workstation: MacBook Air
Remote Sessions: Source Connect, Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Meets
Approachable | Cheerful | Conversational | Educated | Likable | Interested | Snarky | Soothing | Warm
