Another simple idea here, but an important one. Adding a smile to your read brings energy, enthusiasm and warmth. Pay attention next time you’re listening to commercials – in virtually every radio and TV ad you hear, the voice actor is smiling to some degree or another. We’re so used to hearing it that the average listener is probably unaware, at least until their voiceover enthusiast friend (that’d be you) points it out to them.
Other voice acting genres use the smile too: promos & trailers, animation, even corporate work. I do a lot of narration and use a smile to make otherwise boring material palatable and engaging.
Of course, how much smile to use depends on the nature of the material; a PSA for the Red Cross might be fairly serious in tone, so a huge clown-like grin wouldn’t be appropriate. But even these heavier spots tend to have a flavor of hopefulness to them that a slight smile will help bring out.
But the most important thing about the smile is it’s got to be REAL! Just turning up the corners of your mouth mechanically isn’t going to cut it – you have to feel it in your gut. So, until you’ve learned to turn that switch on and off automatically, do whatever works to generate a real smile. Think of something funny or happy; have your friend or classmate make silly faces at you when you’re reading; look at an amusing photo. When you’re getting the hang of it, record your efforts and compare a smiling read to a non-smiling read.
So, just as in everyday life, a smile in the voiceover world will make you more appealing to more people. It’s one of the basic tools in your voice acting toolbox, and you will do well to spend the time learning to summon it and control it at will.
To sum up our lessons so far, then:
1. Get the words out.
2. Add a (real) smile.
That’s all you need to work on for now. Coming up next – ATTITUDE!
Have fun, and remember, PRACTICE.
copyright 2010 John Matthew
