| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Nikki
Contributor II
Joined: 09 Jul 2010
Posts: 50
|
 Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:10 pm Post subject: Strange Discovery: Practiced Vs. Relaxed |
 |
|
While practicing my scripts today, my niece insisted on invading my room. I finally gave in but insisted she be quiet while she played so I could finish. It went so-so.
Well, I finally finished and thought it would be fun to let her play with my mic and record her. But, this turned into something else entirely as I listened to myself talking to her on the playback. Instead of shrugging and pronouncing my voice 'okay' and picking things apart...I actually liked what I heard! I sounded natural, relaxed, and it was the kind of voice I wanted to listen to.
Before I wasn't so 'thrilled' with my performances and now, I reminded myself of why I wanted to pursue this. Now, to just work on capturing that same relaxation on a script and to stop sounding too rehearsed. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Melanie Haynes
Contributor III
Joined: 09 Jul 2010
Posts: 85
Location: Houston, TX
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, one of the hardest things to learn to do or let yourself do is "be yourself" whether in VO or on camera. Glad you're on the right track!
_________________
SaVoa #08019
www.melaniehaynes.com
832-912-9250 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JBarrett
M&M
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Posts: 2043
Location: Las Vegas, NV
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Amen! Those kinds of self-discoveries are the most powerful: the ones you learn when you're not trying so hard to learn. Here's to continued progress!
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lee Gordon
A Zillion
Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 6864
Location: West Hartford, CT
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:46 pm Post subject: Re: Strange Discovery: Practiced Vs. Relaxed |
|
|
| Nikki wrote: | | Now, to just work on capturing that same relaxation on a script and to stop sounding too rehearsed. |
Just hang a picture of your niece in front of your mic. Then, when you record some material, don't read it; explain it to your niece.
_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Deirdre
Czarina Emeritus
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 13023
Location: Camp Cooper
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for this Nikki! It's the best kind of life lesson.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Nikki
Contributor II
Joined: 09 Jul 2010
Posts: 50
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 9:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
It was a very powerful realization, a true eye opener for me.
That's also a great suggestion, Lee! I think I even know just the picture...and Lord knows I have enough of her in my phone for travel too. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Darren Altman
Cinquecento
Joined: 17 Oct 2009
Posts: 551
Location: London, UK
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 9:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
Great Nikki. As I write this post, I'm typing to Phillip on Skype about my lessons with Nancy. The last thing I typed was "It's great. Stopping me from going into "voiceover mode" If you know what I mean?!"
Exactly what you're talking about! Staying relaxed and natural, not forced. Since my lessons with Nancy, the level on my mic has risen lots as I no longer 'force' my voice and try to sound as natural as possible.
_________________
https://www.darrenaltman.com/
http://twitter.com/darrenaltman |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
panright
Contributor
Joined: 06 Aug 2010
Posts: 42
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Great comments all!
A tough lesson indeed to learn, yet it seems as though it should be the simplest! When I get "lost" I am learning to come back to "me" (boy, does that sound narcissistic - but you know what I mean!)
_________________
Perry Anne Norton VO
www.perrynorton.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 9883
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 3:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The best voiceover lesson I have ever received came not from Nancy Wolfson (though I adore her) or Marice Tobias (I also adore her); but from our own Philip Banks. It was this:
| Quote: | | Now, just let the words fall out of your mouth with no effort at all. |
That single bit of direction has helped me win dozens of auditions in the last 4 years. Heartfelt thanks, yet again, Philip!
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike Sommer
A Hundred Dozen
Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 1222
Location: Boss Angeles
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 8:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Indeed good advice Bob.
It's also important to understand that everything we do is a diaglog between two people.
~ Understand and know the story (script)
~ Know who the person is you are talking to.
~ Talk to them.
If you start pushing or contouring the words, you will always sound insincere or fake.
_________________
The Blog:
http://voiceoveraudio.blogspot.com/
Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lizden
A Zillion
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 8864
Location: The dark recesses of my mind
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 9:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bobsouer wrote: | Philip Banks:
| Quote: | | Now, just let the words fall out of your mouth with no effort at all. |
|
Noted!
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Michael Schoen
Backstage Pass
Joined: 14 May 2008
Posts: 443
Location: New York City
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bransom
DC
Joined: 06 Nov 2008
Posts: 650
Location: St. Louis, MO
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
| bobsouer wrote: | Philip Banks:
| Quote: | | Now, just let the words fall out of your mouth with no effort at all. |
|
I think I'm going to print this out LARGE and hang it over my copy stand.
_________________
Bob Ransom
"I really need a pithy quote here." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lizden
A Zillion
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 8864
Location: The dark recesses of my mind
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
I already did. 
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
| This is one that I keep learning and re-learning |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
