Public speaking is one of the most common fears out there, and even actors aren’t immune to the nerves that often come with these instances. It’s a natural response to feel anxious when getting out in front of a crowd, especially if you’re not used to it. Unfortunately, it’s a big part of acting and progressing a career in the field, so you’ll need to improve your skills to prepare for the challenge.
The following are some of our favourite tips for improving your voice training skills for your acting method.
1. Preparation- don’t speak without a script!
While you’ll eventually need to go off-script, in the beginning, it’s best to use it as you prepare your lines and learn how to use your voice skills to the fullest of your ability. It also means giving yourself an idea of what you need to say while you work on articulating the dialogue and combining it with appropriate body language (more on this later).
As you become more comfortable with your lines, you can start to ween off your script and improve your voice dialect even further.
2. Body language: be the most charismatic actor there is
Body language is an important aspect of acting. It can be used to convey a character’s mood, thoughts, and intentions, but it’s also hugely powerful when combined with effective voice training.
Actors should always pay attention to their body language as it can make or break a performance. This means keeping in tune with the audience’s perspective and using body language that will not distract them from the show.
Actors should also know how to use different types of gestures when they are in front of an audience. Gestures like rubbing their hands together or using hand motions to emphasise what they are saying are not only great tools but also add realism to the performance. Using this in parallel to correct phrasing and word shaping can put the finishing touches on any scene.
3. Learn the tricks to make your voice sound more exciting and engaging
In order to sound more interesting and captivating when you speak, you can use a few vocal techniques. Remember that your voice is one of the biggest assets and weapons you have in the acting field, so you should always use it in the best way possible. To do that, though, you’ll have to learn the skills behind your dialect training and where you’re able to improve on specific aspects of it.
Some of the most common vocal techniques for acting include:
- Appealing to the senses: The voice can be used to appeal to the senses, rather than just being an auditory experience.
- Pacing and pausing: Pacing and pausing are important for conveying emotion and keeping people’s attention. This is where punctuation in your script becomes super crucial.
- Emphasising words: Words should be emphasised with appropriate changes in pitch or volume.
- Speaking with intention: When speaking, it is important to have an intention behind what you want to convey through your voice.
- Knowing your audience: It is essential to know who your audience is and what they expect out of your experience. Just like any public speaking gig, you need to be able to speak to the person on the other end effectively.
How voice dialect training can help your acting skills
Voice dialect training is a type of acting class that teaches you how to speak with an accent or a specific tone. You can learn how to effectively convey a range of accents, such as British, Australian, or American.
Voice coaches specialise in teaching dialects through class sessions so they can provide feedback and help you improve over time. When you choose a thorough mode of study or course, these programs should also teach you how to use a range of tones, like angry or sad.
Why should you invest in voice coaching for acting?
Voice coaching is an integral part of the acting process, whether you like it or not. Over time, you will learn to develop your vocal skills and improve your vocal technique. In most cases, you’ll also eliminate any vocal habits that may unknowingly hold you back.
Dialect classes can help actors develop their voice, improve vocal technique, and eliminate vocal habits that are holding them back.
Additionally, dialect classes can be a hugely beneficial tool for actors – whether new to the field or an avid professional. The process often starts with an initial consultation, where the voice coach will get to know the actor and then have them do a vocal assessment. They will provide feedback on what to work on and where there’s room for improvement.
Tips to help your voice acting skills at home
In any form of acting, preparing and warming up are key. Here are a few easy tips you can use when you’re getting ready for a performance or just as practise:
– Record yourself and listen back to it for feedback.
– Practise different character voices and accents on your own.
– Record yourself reading aloud for five minutes each day – this will help increase the range of your voice and make you more comfortable speaking in front of an audience.
– Practice different accents by listening to audio clips that use different dialects or have different accents than yours.
– Always give yourself time to warm up.
– Use punctuation in scripting as a tool.
– Relax your jaw.
– Shape your words
– Strengthen your tongue with exercises
