VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Mike Paul]

I have a session tomorrow where I am to embody a cat that speaks only gibberish. I know I can come up with stuff at random, but does anybody here have specific experience with gibberish sessions and have any little tips/tricks around that? I've only done a couple of these, and each time it kinda feels like the dog catching the car--"OK, got it. now what?"

Obviously, I'm conveying meaning through emotion, but beyond the basics... do you find yourself speaking full phrases and just not articulating much of anything, do you get your body involved to make up for the lack of... words...or are there any techniques you've learned along the way that help you approach these types of sessions with confidence?

...or maybe somebody to study. Cristina Milizia stands out, but I've only just begun the search.

Thanks for your thoughts!
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Mike Paul
speakingofmike.com

[Bob Bergen]

I do this sort of stuff all the time. When I voiced Bucky the squirrel for The Emperor’s New Groove, this character Kronk spoke squirrel and would translate my gibberish. I just gibbered his translation lines, adding the emphasis and intent in my inflection. You can check out scenes on YouTube. It’s still 100% acting. You just need to know in your head what the character is thinking.

[Mike Paul]

Thanks, Bob! Thought you did this kind of thing but wasn't sure. Will give a look.
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Mike Paul
speakingofmike.com

[Mike Paul]

Cool--great stuff, I feel good about my process then. When I do these, I generally just think about what I'm saying in English, and then kinda scat my way through it. You know, come to think of it this really is a lot like scatting, which is great because I don't care too much about what comes out of my mouth just as long as it doesn't sound like words and fits whatever character we're doing.

Thanks for the reference! That contrast with Kronk is funny.
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Mike Paul
speakingofmike.com