Voice Acting
PROJECT BRIEF
In our topic of voice acting we studied how we can manipulate our voice for different categories of acting. We researched sections of voice acting such as announcements, animations and even experimented with conventions such as pitch, tone and volume. We found our own scripts and used them to produce 3 voice reels that show our vocal range.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE AS A PROFESSIONAL IN THE VOICE ACTING INDUSTRY?
To gain more knowledge on voice acting, I was asked to researched what happens in the life of a voice actor, so I watched some vlogs and read some blogs which then led me to write up a day in the life of a voice actor.
Day in the life of a voice actor
Dear diary,
Being a voice actor is a difficult and committing job. Today I woke up. My throat felt very dry, and I was so cranky. I knew I had to have a cup of coffee to give me energy and hydration for the day. I took a nice long shower and had a lovely breakfast. I sat down in my recording studio and checked my emails on my computer. There were emails about voice acting jobs and some updates about past auditions. As a voice actor it is always important to stay active and consistent within the industry. I did some vocal warmups such as tongue twisters, singing and resonance walks. I filmed some auditions and spent a few hours editing to ensure it was perfect before sending it off. I tried to forget about it as it may take a while to hear back from them. I'm currently working on playing a character in an animated film, so I attended my voice over sessions. Overall today was an average and busy day but I'm thankful to be passionate about my career. Until next time!
IMPORTANCE OF VOCAL WARM UPS
I also learnt about the importance of protecting my voice and was asked to create a vocal warm up that I could then deliver to my peers. Below is a 15 minute warm-up I created. Watch me lead it with my peers in the video!
SOURCING MY SCRIPTS
Click the picture to see the scripts i used!
I approached rehearsals by finding some scripts online. I didn't look whether they matched my voice or not because I wanted to experiment withy my vocal range. After finding some scripts, I started to read them over and inculpate some tone and emotion into them. I played with my volume and tempo to meet my desired effect on the audience. I discovered that my vocal quality was more flexible than I thought. Using vocal exercises such as tongue twisters, sirens and rhymes helped with my pronunciation and clarity.
My first script was an a short monologue from "the notebook". I had to have a soothing and loving voice with an American accent. to do this, I watched videos on how to do an American accent and also manipulate my voice to sound comforting. A main exercise which helped with this was whispering words which helped my pronunciation.
My second script was an Irish accent - a short monologue from "Derry girls". I used tongue twisters to help with my dialect on certain words. I'm familiar with an Irish accent so I focused on how to make my voice sound inspiring and empowering. I did this by adding volume to my voice and adding emphasis on certain words.
My last script was my favorite. It was a scene from the movie "Pearl", where the main character was angry and intense. Sirens really supported my volume control so then I manipulate my pitch and volume to match her emotions and also changed my dialect to match her Texas accent.
CONVENTIONS AND FURTHER TECHNIQUES USED IN REHEARSAL
I would say rehearsals went well. The different vocal exercises allowed me to develop my vocal range and it allowed me to reach my desired tone. For example, to achieve clarity in my last voice reel, I practices tongue twister. I also used riddles and rhymes to support my dialect in script 2.
In my voice acting, I feel that I’ve successfully applied stylistic conventions and performance elements. I chose three different scripts which expresses 3 different emotions: infatuation, inspiring and regret. I also incorporated different accents into each voice reel: South Carolina, Irish, Texas. My strongest voice reel would be my second script which was a short monologue from “Derry Girls”. I’ve had previous experience acting in an Irish accent, so this supported my voice reel. To prepare my voice for this script I did some tongue twisters and sirens. The Irish accent is very dictated, so the tongue twisters helped me with my pronunciation but also worked hand in hand with the sirens which helped me to sound passionate and energetic. My third script was a monologue from the film “Pearl”; I’ve had previous experience with a Texas accent however because the emotion was regret, I mainly focused on using sirens and breathing exercises to warm up my voice. These allowed me to sound desperate and needy. Although I felt less confident in doing a South Carolina accent, I was prepared to experiment and showcase my vocal range. To support me in this new accent I tried some physical exercises such as yoga and stretches which helped me in sounding compassionate and obsessive. In my opinions, the stylistic convention that were deployed contributed to my overall performance. I was happy with how my reels came out and I feel educated in the section of voice acting.
Voice reels
REFLECTIVE EVALUATION
I believe that through my vocal warmup and voice actor case study, I have exhibited a sophisticated application of stylistic conventions. I learnt about different vocal warmups such as tongue twisters, sirens, singing and physical exercise. My favorite exercise I incorporated would be Just dance. My classmates were excited and seemed engaged but they also they were relaxing any tension in the body while warming up the voice by singing along to the song. From this was able to understand how the exercise has an impact on our voice and how to lead my own warmup. From class feedback, I was told that my exercises where successful and I did well in exhibiting leadership. I also researched a ‘day in the life of a voice actor’ and wrote up a diary entry. As a voice actor it is vital to be resilient and consistent as opportunities will come and go. This prepared me on what sort of routine I would have if I was to do any voice acting work. I was also introduced to the different equipment used such as mics, spit shields, insulators and headphones. Voice actors use different tones and pitch based on what voice category they were applying for, for example, a cooperate voiceover would be monotone so a voice actor may use a lower pitch to avoid sounding excited and upbeat. Overall, I would say I gained an insightful understanding of different voice categories and how to portray them.
I would say I’ve effectively used performance elements in my voice acting. Some of the elements I mainly used was pitch, volume and diction. Pitch is speaking in high, low or normal tone. I learnt how to control my pitch through the vocal exercise of sirens. Being able to manipulate pitch is a huge advantage, for example, during an enthusiastic piece of voice acting I would have to maintain a high pitch to come across as ecstatic and energetic. Diction also played a huge part in my voice acting journey. I used vocal exercises like tongue twisters and singing helped to improve with my pronunciation. Having this skill supported me in various voice acting categories such as announcements, audiobooks and narration. I further looked at elements such as volume, accent and intonation which I felt were all easy to manipulate in a smooth and deliberate manner. In conclusion, I would say I successfully showed awareness of the features of chosen genres or styles of voice acting.
Overall, I feel that my voice reels went well and I produced a range of vocals using sophisticated stylistic connections. a highlight in my work would be my last voice reel which was very new and intriguing for me to do. I enjoyed trying new accents and tones. I'm excited to get involved in the voice acting industry and showcase my new range of skills.
Midnight Frequencies
For my radio play, I used a script called ‘Midnight Frequencies’. This both eerie and immersive radio drama merges psychological horror with supernatural suspense, morphing a suspenseful atmosphere through chilling and interactive sound design with haunting vocal performances. In this analysis, I will explore how stylistic conventions and performance elements - such as tone, pacing, and vocal delivery - are used effectively to increase tension, build character depth, and leave a lasting effect on the audience.
‘Midnight Frequencies’ falls into the genre of supernatural horror with elements of thriller, using conventions to create an unsettling atmosphere and depth. The script successfully amplifies eerie silence, suspenseful pauses, and distortion to enhance tension. For instance, the line, “it’s the only thing that’s…real”, leaves the audience in suspense, mimicking the vast unpredictability of the unknown. These elements guide my approach to character voice - adjusting my pacing, tone and breath control tone to align with the script’s ambience. Whether it’s a shaky whisper or an abrupt exclamation, every vocal decision impacts the immersive fear the story aims to instil.
The sound design in ‘Midnight Frequencies’ plays a vital role in heightening tension, using static and disconnecting sound effects, echoing voices, and eerie silences to create an unsettling atmosphere. At [04:20], a sudden, sharp crackling sound - interrupts the dialogue. To enhance this, I adjusted my delivery and tried responding with a shaken inhale and a minute of silence before speaking again, mirroring my character’s growing fear. When confronted with the unseen horror in the mirror, I layered my performance with breathy, broken sentences and a quivering tone, conveying disbelief and terror. These vocal choices, combined with the uncanny soundscape, immerse the audience in the character’s experience, making the fear feel immediate and realistic.
‘Midnight Frequencies’ is an incredibly effective radio play because it masterfully engages the audience through suspenseful and intimate storytelling, immersive sound design and vocal performances. I feel my emotional delivery would have helped the listeners believe in my characters fear; when I used gasps or stammers, this would’ve enhanced these moments. I also hesitated and buffered on words to increase tension. The blend of eerie silences, distorted voices, and unsettling pauses keeps listeners on edge, while the script’s gradual build-up of psychological horror makes the fear feel engaging.
Key performance techniques, such as controlled breath work, pacing, and emotional vocal shifts, were essential in conveying the character’s descent from confidence to terror. By using subtle vocal tremors, hesitant pauses, and frantic outbursts, I aimed to make the horror feel authentic and immediate.
Looking back, I see many areas for growth - exploring even more vocal variation to enhance the contrast between scepticism and fear while refining my use of silence to create deeper tension. Moving forward, I’d like to experiment with layering more subconscious vocal cues, like barely audible whispers or strained breathing as well as different accent and dialect, to further enhance the psychological unease of my performance.
Here is the final voice reel: