As a voice-over coach and actor, I’ve lost count of how often I’ve heard both clients and fellow VO artists say, with great conviction, “Oh, I just can’t do character voices at all!”
I always respectfully disagree.
In my experience, all human beings are hardwired to create characters (yes that means you!), as part of our inherent storytelling abilities.
We often use our authentic conversational voices and selves – and I invite you to stop and think about the vast array of characters that reside within you. Where are they, you ask? Here’s a short answer, and then we’ll do a longer exploration: if I asked to you to make the following list, how many items do you think might be on it?
- Every person you’d ever met
- Every human you felt strongly about (real or fictional)
Unleash the many different voices inside of you!
- Every artist, celebrity, athlete, politician, or media figure you feel strongly about
- Every character from book/stage/screen/etc. you remember
- Every teacher, mentor, or coach you’d ever had
- Every food you’ve ever liked (or disliked)
- Every item of clothing that even meant something to you
- Every holiday, birthday, or anniversary you can remember
- Every color or fabric or scent you like
- Every flower or plant that calls to you
- Every book or podcast or audiobook that has ever impacted you
The list could go on and on!
Given enough time and reflection, I’d guesstimate you’d wind up with many hundreds of things on this list. Not a stretch at all to say you might even have a thousand or more.
Every one of the items above can be turned into a double-win for your character treasure chest, both as a character that you channel when recording a voice-over, as well as the person you talk to when performing! If your favorite comfy shirt had a voice and a name, what would it sound like? What adventures would it share? The teacher that was the toughest on you – what did they sound like? Did they have any distinct catch-phrases or mannerisms? What would they say to you now if you ran into them in the grocery store?
Exploring Your 1,000 Character Treasure Chest
Choose from your character list and experiment. Decide whether you are going to channel this item/person and allow it/them to temporarily take over your vocal cords and body – or if you want to talk with them like they are joining you for a cup of coffee, across the kitchen table.
Prompts can be helpful here, for example: “Tell me about your last birthday” or “Let me tell you about my last birthday.” If it’s a person you are working with, real or imagined, is there an item of clothing that feels most “them” that you can put on? In the acting world, artists often talk about the costume or wardrobe elements bringing forth the character!
Record and Reflect
Make sure you are recording, either in your studio or on a device where you can listen back. You will be delighted by the unique characters that emerge during these exercises. Make notes either on your character list or on a separate document, paying attention to the nuances and subtleties that make each character special. Did anything come out of your mouth that surprised you? Made you laugh? Did the character’s voice or energy want to change as you were talking? Let it morph, and see what feels fun and interesting to you.
Develop Characters
Once you’ve discovered different characters that you are drawn to and that feel enjoyable to work with, invest a little time in developing them. Even 15 minutes per week will grow your character world! Give your characters names, ages, background details, and even personality traits. In the acting world, this is called a backstory, and you can get as detailed or as simple as you like. What did this character have for breakfast? Do they have any annoying habits? What is their favorite music? Adding these bits of fine-tuned info will help you bring them to life more fully and easily.
The Mental Landscape
Voice-over is a whole body art form. When you “step into a character’s shoes,” it goes way beyond changing your voice (though that can be a good place to start). It cannot be said enough: it’s the connection that grabs us, makes us want to hear you, makes us lean forward when you speak. It’s about becoming that character and making them (or it) a real, complex entity.
Empathy and Understanding
To bring your characters to life, empathy is a great “way in.” What do you love about this character? What do you most care about? If they are challenging, still look for something to like, admire, love, or respect in them. This authentic emotional connection pours directly into your read.
Visualization
Visualize the character’s world and situation. Are they in a bustling city or a serene forest? Is there something in your home that calls to this character? Can you pull something from the internet or a paper or magazine and put it nearby, when you are working with this character to remind you of the energy of their universe?
Emotional Range
Happy, sad, and mad are some very basic emotions to try on for them. What do they sound like when they’re jealous? If they’re mumbling right before falling asleep? If yelling at a concert or event to be heard? Remember to record while exploring these, so you can review them.
The one thousand characters that live inside your head are a testament to your dedication as a human who has chosen the path of being a voice-over actor – you have decided to shine a spotlight on all of your life experiences and consciously develop them into wildly unique characters that can be enjoyed by all who hear them.
Voice-over acting is never just about speaking; it’s about creating, connecting, and captivating your audience through the magic of your voice – which always comes most highly from things that are meaningful and authentic to you. Embrace the characters within and let them reveal themselves, let them talk with you and come forward – they’re patiently waiting for you. With small doses of time and attention, the one thousand characters in your village will happily help you shine in your reads, allowing you to bring your unforgettable voice-over magic out into the world. And, you can delete the, “I just can’t do character voices” belief from your mental hard drive! For good. Happy creating!
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