VAM 092 | Acting vs. Demonstrating: Bringing Yourself to the Character
Welcome to episode 92 of the Voice Acting Mastery podcast with yours truly, Crispin Freeman!
As always, you can listen to the podcast using the player above, or download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of this blog post. The podcast is also available via the iTunes Store online. Just follow this link to view the podcast in iTunes:
http://www.voiceactingmastery.com/podcast
In this episode, I’d like to talk about the difference between acting a character and demonstrating a character.
At first, it may not seem obvious why it’s so important to make this distinction and to understand its implications, because no one ever talks about “voice demonstrating”. We talk about “voice acting”, and rightly so, because that’s what we’re all here to do, right? The truth is that people get these two concepts mixed up all the time. What’s worse is that when many people believe they are acting, they are actually demonstrating.
This can be a fatal mistake, because while sincere acting is inherently believable and engaging, demonstrating a character is not. This misunderstanding is especially common among beginning voice actors, and I have observed many of my students struggling with it, even if they’ve never quite used these words to describe it. The symptoms of “demonstrating” are obvious: performances feel affected or “put on”, dialogue sounds forced or unnatural, and characters seem more like “caricatures” than real people. All of these symptoms contribute to one inevitable outcome: the performance is not believable and the audience does not engage.
So how does one truly act a character and not fall into the trap of simply demonstrating that character? How can you know if your performance is actually believable, or whether you’re just going through the motions? Let’s solve this conundrum together.
Download Voice Acting Mastery Episode #92 Here (MP3)
I remember asking you about this at Otakon last year. That answer was some of the best acting advice I’ve ever gotten, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear you expand on the concept without the time pressure of an hour long panel. Also, thanks for another year of the podcast, and happy holidays.
Excellent! I’m glad I was able to expand on the subject for you!
You’re very welcome for the podcast. Thanks for listening.
For anyone curious, the answer in question can be viewed at http://youtu.be/MHhlzkekCwc?t=6m5s
Thanks for that direct link! I’d forgotten about that panel. Thanks!
There has to be an intimacy between the actor and the character, as if the actor was wearing the characters clothes. I don’t think I articulated that well, but you get my meaning.
Thank you for your time and wisdom, and Happy Holidays.
I think you articulated it very well. Thank you.
Happy Holidays to you as well!
I remember that being honest is the most important instinct for everyone- the character and voice acting itself. I also remember you told me about being honest is the most important thing to do during the session. I still have to keep practicing for my emotions and insecurities that I want to embrace my courage and trustworthy. Thank you so much for sharing and have a Happy Holidays ^_^
You’re very welcome.
Thank you for another great year of podcasts: I can’t overstate how much I and other listeners have learned from your wisdom and experience. Have a very Happy Holidays Crispin!
Thanks for your appreciation! Happy Holidays to you as well!
I needed to hear this. Thank you.
Happy Holidays.
You’re very welcome. Take care.
I think I was at your panel when Ben asked that question at Otakon. I was just about to get online to ask something else after listening to episode 89 and saw this podcast addressing it!
When I hear a performance I’m not too fond of, I’m often conflicted as to why. Is it because of their bad acting? Is the script poorly written in my opinion? Or, is it that I have a different interpretation of the character than said actor?
Also, do you have any tips on acting with little knowledge or context without demonstrating accidentally? Currently, I feel as though it would be easier to act as a character for prolonged periods of time in order to have a full experience of their development or mindset, but I understand this cannot always be the case.
Thank you once again for your time and effort. These podcasts addressing mindset allow me to re-evaluate or reassure my own perspectives. I look forward to all your future podcasts.
Have a safe and lovely holiday~
Wow! I had no idea I was addressing such an important topic from my panel at Otakon! So glad I was able to address it here!
Everyone has their own reason for not liking someone’s performance. I usually dislike a performance when I don’t find it believable. The challenge is to figure out how you would make a performance more believable. That’s artistry.
Acting with little knowledge or context is the almost constant state of the voice actor. As I’ve mentioned before, voice acting is like acting paleontology: they give you one little tooth and they expect you to create the entire T-Rex from that tiny sliver of bone. The secret is to steep yourself in as many stories and character types as you can so you have an extensive library of artistry to pull from when you’re asked to pull a rabbit out of your hat. It may take you longer to immerse yourself in a character earlier in your career, but the more you practice, the more facile you can become an diving into a character with less and less preparation. That’s why older actors tend to be so much more nuanced and skilled than younger actors.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the podcast. Take care.
Thank you very much Mr. Freeman for a fantastic and inspiring year. I would say that every episode, especially the “How to become a voice actor episode”, has been a much needed shot in the arm and I’m now more willing to actually reach out and grab my dreams. Happy yule, Hanukkah, Christmas, or whatever may apply to whomever is reading this and an even Happier new year.
Thank you Jarius. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed these episodes so much. I hope you had a Merry ChristmaHannaKwanzaka as well!
As I was listening to this, I was like “OH, MY GOD. THIS IS ME ALL OVER. THIS IS MY PROBLEM. YAY. I CAN FIX IT NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.”
I so wish I could hire you as my personal coach. That would be my dream. But alas, we are on separate coasts. At least for now.
Lovely podcast as always and a happy new year to you~!
~ Kalyn
I’m glad I was able to pinpoint your acting challenge so precisely. Glad I could help.
You are more than welcome to hire me as your personal coach. In fact, I believe I’ve done a private coaching session with you online before. You’re always welcome to coach with me again whenever you’d like.
Love it man. The psychology behind voice acting is something that I could never have imagined. I’m just getting started with voice acting and someone pointed me to your podcast. Is there a point in your podcast that you recommend me starting from?
So glad you’re enjoying the podcast so much! I would recommend you start from the beginning of my podcast at episode 1 and work your way through from the beginning. I think the easiest way to do that is to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes by following this link:
http://www.voiceactingmastery.com/podcast
Hope that helps.
There was one time when I really brought myself to a character, and unfortunately, I haven’t really had it again yet. I was reciting the Joker’s “Why aren’t you laughing” speech from “The Killing Joke”, and in the middle of it, I felt sadness, I was actually feeling the sadness the Joker felt, trying to reach out to the one person who should see the world the same as he does, and they refuse to admit it. I’ve kind of been chasing that high ever since
That’s a very familiar problem that actors have! It’s why seasoned actors are applauded because they seem to immerse deeply into character so easily. But they only achieve this through continuous learning and practice. Best of luck to you in “chasing that high”!