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Post by rainzacket on Mar 16, 2017 11:55:39 GMT -8
Hello everyone of the VAC! I was hoping to ask advice on something integral to acting: getting in character.
For the past few days I've asked some of my friends to look at recordings I've done to ask for feedback. While my friends aren't voice actors themselves, they've always given me honest feedback on my recordings. They've often noticed I'm not always 100% demonstrating the emotion that required for the line read. They feel that the emotion is there, but not quite as expressive as it needs to be.
I feel my acting may suffer from several issues. My first main issue is naturally not being expressive enough. I'm always afraid of "overacting." While some people see me being better as expression in terms of comedy and being over-the-top, I've always found difficulty when it comes to more serious and normal line reads. While comedy may be my niche, my desire is to be more flexible with my emotional range. But at the same time I have a fear of overacting or it'll sound too "silly" even when the attempt is genuinely serious. I also feel my second issue is understanding what to do with line reads. I may do a recording for an audition, submit it, but then have an idea much later in the day, where I'm like "Oh, maybe I should have tried reading it like this." The best way I can describe it is having a delay in understanding in how a character thinks.
I know my descriptions have been vague, I understand that everyone finds their own method and strategies a lot differently. But, I was hoping if anyone could offer their own tips or strategies on how to mentally prepare to be in character. I'm not looking for a method to instantly solve my struggles with acting, but I would like to figure out what to try first.
If needed, I can provide an audio sample later on and attach it to this post. If anyone feels hearing a recording I did might help give some advice, I will try to record something as soon as I can and post it here later.
Thank you for your time and have a good day!
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Post by Tomar on Mar 16, 2017 12:35:07 GMT -8
I can definitely relate to your specific issue of specializing in more over the top and comedic performances and moving into more serious and subtle acting. I've been working on it for quite some time and feel I still have plenty of room to improve.
Now that being said, I think the most generic advice I can give is that character study is an essential part of being a good actor. In fact, every audition you ever do should feel like a micro-character study. You have to actively think, who is this character, how loud or soft would they normally speak, how high or low would their voice be, at what pace would they normally talk, and what external factors are likely to cause a noticeable (or subtle) emotional change and to what degree? Will that emotional change cause their voice to waver, crack, trail off, change in pitch or volume? Will they fight the reaction to hide their emotions and if so, how hard will they fight it?
There are tons of little questions like these that, with practice, we can answer very quickly using our instincts. However, when starting out (and even sometimes when we're experienced depending on the role), it's good to take a step back and really think about these things critically. I'm not suggesting planning your delivery word by word as this can be harmful to the performance sounding natural, but figure out the broad strokes or the "beats" as I've heard them called, and then trust your instincts as a human being for the rest. There will always be some aspect of yourself and your own emotions informing how these choices translate into your performance, and I personally feel it's best to embrace that fact as it's what will set you apart from any other actor in your same range.
To get any more specific advice than that from the community, you might benefit from posting clips with as much detail as possible regarding what you're trying to do (probably in the clips/samples forum). In fact, assuming you have nothing preventing you from doing so (like confidentially agreement or NDA), posting the actual piece of copy you're reading from, including direction and any notes on the character(s) would be ideal as it gives your would-be critics context from which to appraise your work and your interpretation of the lines.
Hope that's useful for a start!
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Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Mar 16, 2017 17:05:19 GMT -8
Well, all I can say is for me, these two things have been immensely helpful to me. First, from a director of a couple of high school plays I was an extra in, she would say "Don't be afraid to overdo it. Believe me, it's SOOOOO much easier, as a director, to have you scale it back a bit, than to try to draw you out of your shell. We have to hear you in the back row." (Of course, stage plays are a different beast, but still.)
Second, method acting. Or, as it was put very well, I thought, in the movie Pixels: "Just pretend you're the guy, and you don't wanna die!" I try to get really emotionally attached to my character, and their loved ones. That helps. I've cried more than once while delivering lines for a character who was crying -- and *not* because I'm Margaret O'Brien and have that magical gift! Just because I was that much in the moment, just like I might cry watching a movie, or reading a book. It honestly makes voice acting so much more rewarding for me, too. I love characters, and sympathizing with them.
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celewo2
Member
Posts: 24 
I Am A(n): Aspiring Voice Actor
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Post by celewo2 on Mar 17, 2017 5:41:15 GMT -8
Interesting to read from you professionals,which is really cool. I was also wondering the same thing even though I do voice acting for fun only and the stuff I say does sound like an amateur at best, which a lot of the people I asked can confirm. I'm trying to improve little by little and that pace works fine for me.
Just wondering, let's say the the project isn't quite to your liking, is it still possible for you to get attached to the characters and deliver the lines authentically?
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Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Mar 17, 2017 7:54:19 GMT -8
Interesting to read from you professionals,which is really cool. I was also wondering the same thing even though I do voice acting for fun only and the stuff I say does sound like an amateur at best, which a lot of the people I asked can confirm. I'm trying to improve little by little and that pace works fine for me. Just wondering, let's say the the project isn't quite to your liking, is it still possible for you to get attached to the characters and deliver the lines authentically?
Before I get to your question, the very first thing I notice here is how much you're talking yourself down. It may not seem like it, but just the way you've consistently talked about how much of an amateur you are, and how you're saying here how amateur you sound. I know it's good to be realistic about your current skills, and I also know what it's like to feel like you should be humble or you're a horrible person, but I think that might be the first thing you have to let go of; just because you realize YOU are awesome, doesn't mean you think other people AREN'T awesome too!  And even if you're not where you want to be yet, doesn't mean you're not already great! I think I got to where I am today (wherever that is) 70% through pure narcissism --er, confidence. LOL!
Now I'd love to hear some voice acting samples from you. I'm wondering if the self-deprecation carries over into your performance. If you're afraid to trust your instincts and just go for it because you don't think you have the skills, or something. Honestly, I don't know, but it's a thought. At any rate, if what you're doing is working for you, I'm glad, and keep it up!
Anyway, if you mean something I'm uncomfortable voicing in, or find the project distasteful in any way: well, I try as hard as possible to avoid being cast in those. I ask a few questions on anything I'm not sure about as to the content and whether it has requirements I personally can't/won't meet (18+, using slurs, etc.) so that hasn't been much of an issue for me, personally.
If you mean, just something I find a bit boring: Like, if the story or characters are cliché, not that well written, or not fleshed out, or it's just not a story that I would care about normally? Usually, I've found *something* that I can connect with by the time I read the audition lines on a casting call, or I don't end up auditioning, and it doesn't go any further. Of course, if the story is awesome and the character has so much in common with me, it makes it easier -- but kind of like with people, I've come to treasure the little unique things that makes every character special.
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Post by cbdroege on Mar 20, 2017 0:57:10 GMT -8
Interesting to read from you professionals,which is really cool. I was also wondering the same thing even though I do voice acting for fun only and the stuff I say does sound like an amateur at best, which a lot of the people I asked can confirm. I'm trying to improve little by little and that pace works fine for me. Just wondering, let's say the the project isn't quite to your liking, is it still possible for you to get attached to the characters and deliver the lines authentically? I've actually been previously surprised at just how much I CAN get into a work, even when I'm not interested in it. Especially longer characterworks or audiobooks, in which lots of time is invested, I'll find myself getting really emotional and really involved, even if it's something I personally don't care about or a book that I don't even like. Getting into character is still important, and doing so still gives me the feels about the character. Empathy is an important trait for an actor, and like your other skills, it's something you can practice. Get some monologues from some really emotional plays or films (not your favorite ones, that's too easy, pick ones you don't care about), and spend some time with them. Really try to get into the character's head, and feel their emotions while delivering the lines. The more you can push yourself to actually feel the emotions, the better your delivery of them will be. Trying to pretend the emotions will never sound as good. |
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celewo2
Member
Posts: 24
I Am A(n): Aspiring Voice Actor
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Post by celewo2 on Mar 21, 2017 5:05:53 GMT -8
Interesting to read from you professionals,which is really cool. I was also wondering the same thing even though I do voice acting for fun only and the stuff I say does sound like an amateur at best, which a lot of the people I asked can confirm. I'm trying to improve little by little and that pace works fine for me. Just wondering, let's say the the project isn't quite to your liking, is it still possible for you to get attached to the characters and deliver the lines authentically? I've actually been previously surprised at just how much I CAN get into a work, even when I'm not interested in it. Especially longer characterworks or audiobooks, in which lots of time is invested, I'll find myself getting really emotional and really involved, even if it's something I personally don't care about or a book that I don't even like. Getting into character is still important, and doing so still gives me the feels about the character. Empathy is an important trait for an actor, and like your other skills, it's something you can practice. Get some monologues from some really emotional plays or films (not your favorite ones, that's too easy, pick ones you don't care about), and spend some time with them. Really try to get into the character's head, and feel their emotions while delivering the lines. The more you can push yourself to actually feel the emotions, the better your delivery of them will be. Trying to pretend the emotions will never sound as good. That's really interesting to hear! That's what I was forcing myself to do all the time, trying too hard to get myself to like the characters I'm trying to voice act for. I've also tried to dub over some, in my opinion, extremely stupid kids' shows and I failed miserably. The lines the creators wrote for the characters just seemed so stupid for me and instead of focussing on my actual performance, I kept asking myself stuff like, "Who came up with this?! This is just plain horrible!" and eventually gave up. |
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duffyweber
Member
Posts: 220
I Am A(n): Professional Voice Actor, Semi-Professional Voice Actor, Audio Engineer
Pronouns: Any OK
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Post by duffyweber on Mar 21, 2017 7:34:04 GMT -8
Interesting to read from you professionals,which is really cool. I was also wondering the same thing even though I do voice acting for fun only and the stuff I say does sound like an amateur at best, which a lot of the people I asked can confirm. I'm trying to improve little by little and that pace works fine for me. Just wondering, let's say the the project isn't quite to your liking, is it still possible for you to get attached to the characters and deliver the lines authentically? If I can't get attached to a character, which is REALLY rare, (say I REALLY hate everything they are and what they stand for) I stick every single bad thought I have about the character and then do a mercilessly accurate imitation/mockery of them. "I will show the world just EXACTLY who and what you are, Mr/Ms nasty character." As to the "over the top" thing, I find for auditions you can't REALLY ever go TOO over the top (with characters) most of the time, so long as the character is either relateable or (if they're supposed to be) repulsive. For character reads: You want a REACTION. It's called "animated" for a reason. ; ) Even the serious characters don't react the way a real human would. You have to make them impressive in their own way. Because if you're going for really, really REALLY realistic, if you miss the mark, it's going to sound affected and "off." Unless you've got it down to a true delivery, "realistic" sounds like someone putting on an act. "Somewhat over the top" sounds goofy, and not in a good way, because it sounds affected and unrelateable. "WAY over the top" sells the character. Or starts to. After that, you making the character stay relateable and "real" despite their cartoonish nature is key. ; ) An over the top character seems more genuine and "real" than the "realistic" sounding voice many times because it stays true to the character, and isn't trying to be the "Really-real" version of a cartoon character. |
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Post by Kyotosomo on Mar 21, 2017 15:19:37 GMT -8
In regards to getting in character it depends what you're talking about. You usually either go for being believable or being expressive (sort of like how good Broadway acting isn't the same as good Movie acting due to them being two totally different types of performances); it depends on the project. Figure out which one fits more to the project first though.
For expressive acting to really be the character you need to make your voice stand out and in a sense "over-emote". You can get better just through practice (like doing lots of auditions) as your range will expand allowing you to better use a full spectrum of emotions and pick a unique voice for said character that makes them feel like they stand out more. Your voice like any other muscle can be strengthened to do more with training. It may also help you to make motion and what not in real life when recording as well (let's you get into things more). Like if you're playing an oldman yelling and waving his fist at some kids, actually get into it by clenching your fist and waving it angrily. You got think about each line, how to best showcase emotion. But for believable acting, honestly I think that mostly comes down to natural talent, it's not something you can really learn.
For believable acting to be more expressive, to give a better performance, you just have to flat out have the ability to put yourself in the character's shoes. Personally if I actually care about giving my best performance (like not the quick lines I record for my daily YouTube videos) I will absolutely act as if what's happening in the script is real and I'm the character. If a character is crying, I will literally cry tears in real life. If a character is angry, I will literally be upset at what happened in real life even though the reason for being angry us something that didn't actually happen. So on and so forth. You just have to be able to "be" the character. What could help though if for example you couldn't put yourself in their shoes and feel their sorrow, is you could replace what they're going through with something you've gone through. Like you could imagine something that tore you apart emotionally, that made you cry at one point. Heck even if you couldn't do that, you could imagine a scenario that would. Off the top of my head you could imagine that you did something that lead to your family dying before your very eyes, the loneliness and regret you would feel.
For expressive acting to get into character you need the physical range. For believable acting to get into character you need the mental capability.
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celewo2
Member
Posts: 24
I Am A(n): Aspiring Voice Actor
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Post by celewo2 on Mar 24, 2017 4:10:58 GMT -8
Thank you so much for your answers! Glad I joined this forum, it's so cool that I can hear some professional opinions from you guys! |
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And even if you're not where you want to be yet, doesn't mean you're not already great! I think I got to where I am today (wherever that is) 70% through pure narcissism --er, confidence. LOL!
