The Art of Voice Acting: the art and business of performing for voice over by James Alburger Page A
Authors: James Alburger
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has become the generally accepted sound for American voiceover, it does not mean that someone who speaks with an accent or dialect cannot be successful. The most successful voice actors are those who are versatile with their speaking voice and who possess the ability to create a variety of believable characters. If you have an accent (foreign or domestic) there are several things you can do to make yourself more marketable as a voice actor:
Refine your accent and learn how to use it to your advantage. Although you may be able to create a unique performing style, you may find that you are limited in the types of projects you can do if you focus only on improving your native accent.
Learn how to adapt your speaking voice to mimic other accents for the purpose of creating believable characters. Learn to do this well and you can develop the ability to create any character on demand.
Work with a diction coach or study methods of modifying your speech patterns. All of these will require some time and effort on your part, but the results will be well worth it.
Voice and Body Exercises—CD/4
A variety of methods to use to care for your voice are covered later in this chapter. But first, let’s begin with some ways to create a relaxed body and mind. That will be followed by a variety of exercises designed to tune your voice and exercise the muscles that comprise your vocal instrument. When doing breathing or relaxation exercises, it is important for you to breathe correctly. Most of us were never taught how to breathe as children—we just did it. As a result, many of us have developed poor breathing habits. See the All about Breathing section starting on page 33 for breathing techniques and exercises to help you become comfortable breathing from your diaphragm.
You will find it much easier to get into the flow of a script and concentrate on your performance if you are in a relaxed and alert state of mind. The exercises that follow will help you relax and serve to redirectyour nervous energy to productive energy that you can use effectively as you perform. Breathe slowly and deeply, and take your time as you allow yourself to feel and experience the changes that take place within your body. Try to spend at least a few minutes a day with each of these exercises. It’s best if you can do these in a quite place where you won’t be disturbed.
EXERCISE 1: RELAX YOUR MIND
This exercise is a basic meditation technique best done while sitting in a quiet place. Begin by allowing a very slow, deep breath through your nose. Expand your diaphragm to bring in as much air as you can, then expand your chest to completely fill your lungs. Hold your breath for a few seconds, then slowly exhale through your mouth—breathe out all the air. As you do this, think calm thoughts, or simply repeat the word “relax” silently to yourself. Take your time. Do this about 10 times and you will find that your body becomes quite relaxed, and your mind will be much sharper and focused. You may even find yourself becoming slightly dizzy. This is normal and is a result of the increased oxygen going to your brain.
This exercise is an excellent way to convert nervous energy into productive energy. Do this in your car before an audition or session—but not while driving.
EXERCISE 2: RELAX YOUR BODY
Deep breathing to relax your mind will also help to relax your body. Even after some basic relaxation, you may still experience some tension in certain parts of your body. An excellent way to release tension is to combine breathing with stretching. There are several steps to this stretching exercise, so take it slow and if you feel any pain, stop immediately.
Stand with your feet about shoulder width. Close your eyes and breathe deeply from your diaphragm, inhaling and exhaling through your nose. Extend your arms over your head, stretching to reach the ceiling. Stretch all the way through the fingers. Now, slowly bend forward at the waist, lowering your arms as
Refine your accent and learn how to use it to your advantage. Although you may be able to create a unique performing style, you may find that you are limited in the types of projects you can do if you focus only on improving your native accent.
Learn how to adapt your speaking voice to mimic other accents for the purpose of creating believable characters. Learn to do this well and you can develop the ability to create any character on demand.
Work with a diction coach or study methods of modifying your speech patterns. All of these will require some time and effort on your part, but the results will be well worth it.
Voice and Body Exercises—CD/4
A variety of methods to use to care for your voice are covered later in this chapter. But first, let’s begin with some ways to create a relaxed body and mind. That will be followed by a variety of exercises designed to tune your voice and exercise the muscles that comprise your vocal instrument. When doing breathing or relaxation exercises, it is important for you to breathe correctly. Most of us were never taught how to breathe as children—we just did it. As a result, many of us have developed poor breathing habits. See the All about Breathing section starting on page 33 for breathing techniques and exercises to help you become comfortable breathing from your diaphragm.
You will find it much easier to get into the flow of a script and concentrate on your performance if you are in a relaxed and alert state of mind. The exercises that follow will help you relax and serve to redirectyour nervous energy to productive energy that you can use effectively as you perform. Breathe slowly and deeply, and take your time as you allow yourself to feel and experience the changes that take place within your body. Try to spend at least a few minutes a day with each of these exercises. It’s best if you can do these in a quite place where you won’t be disturbed.
EXERCISE 1: RELAX YOUR MIND
This exercise is a basic meditation technique best done while sitting in a quiet place. Begin by allowing a very slow, deep breath through your nose. Expand your diaphragm to bring in as much air as you can, then expand your chest to completely fill your lungs. Hold your breath for a few seconds, then slowly exhale through your mouth—breathe out all the air. As you do this, think calm thoughts, or simply repeat the word “relax” silently to yourself. Take your time. Do this about 10 times and you will find that your body becomes quite relaxed, and your mind will be much sharper and focused. You may even find yourself becoming slightly dizzy. This is normal and is a result of the increased oxygen going to your brain.
This exercise is an excellent way to convert nervous energy into productive energy. Do this in your car before an audition or session—but not while driving.
EXERCISE 2: RELAX YOUR BODY
Deep breathing to relax your mind will also help to relax your body. Even after some basic relaxation, you may still experience some tension in certain parts of your body. An excellent way to release tension is to combine breathing with stretching. There are several steps to this stretching exercise, so take it slow and if you feel any pain, stop immediately.
Stand with your feet about shoulder width. Close your eyes and breathe deeply from your diaphragm, inhaling and exhaling through your nose. Extend your arms over your head, stretching to reach the ceiling. Stretch all the way through the fingers. Now, slowly bend forward at the waist, lowering your arms as
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