Consider this opening sequence: a telephoto shot of scorched desert sand with rippling heat distorting the scene. Dry, desiccated, lifeless sagebrush. A lizard slowly seeking shade beneath a small stone. And a small plume of dust in the distance. Attentiongetting stuff.
Now a narrator intones, "The summer heat beats down on the Bonneville Salt Flats." Effective. But even better is a super: Bonneville Salt Flats. Then, as the plume of dust moves toward the camera, another super: Speed TrialsSummer 2005. Then a rocket-shaped vehicle screams through the scene.
Rather than interrupt the building suspense with a sonorous narrator, save him for later. Instead, simply use supers to set up your story.
Here are other instances in which text can be an effective alternative to voice-overs:
Instead of using a voice-over to say, "Sue Smith, vice president of manufacturing for Acme Industries," put that information in a super at the bottom of the screen.
Instead of narrating a collection of statistics, use bulleted points that pop on screen with each new item.
Text strengthens your project.