VAM 104 | Does Your Acting Communicate? Why You Need an Audience
Welcome to episode 104 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 want to impress upon you the importance of developing your acting skills in front of an audience.
Too often people approach me wanting to be voice actors, but they seem disinterested in or afraid of performing in front of people. They think that voice acting is somehow more “private” or “safer” than being a stage actor or performing in film and television, and they are hoping this “safety” or “privacy” will make it easier for them to be a voice actor. This misconception is quite common and can actually foster a mindset that can cripple one’s ability to succeed in voice acting, so I felt it was important to address it in detail.
You see, what most of these shy but hopeful aspiring voice actors don’t realize is that in trying to avoid performing in front of an audience, they are actually denying themselves something they critically need. Without the feedback and response one gets from an audience, an actor is just going through the motions, shooting blindly in the dark, unaware of whether they are communicating effectively. Avoiding the audience is like trying to learn tango without a dance partner, or shooting hoops without a net, or playing tennis by yourself. Not only are these things crazy, they are also ineffective. They don’t make you any better.
If you really want to be a pro at voice acting, there’s really no faster or more effective way I know than to practice acting in front of an audience. I realize this might still seem like a terrifying prospect to some of my listeners. So I’m going to do my best in this episode to explain why it’s so important as well as how to overcome any anxiety you might have about performing in front of others. I’m sure you’ll find it useful!
Download Voice Acting Mastery Episode #104 Here (MP3)
Crispin, I started episode 1 of your podcast on my Saturday run hoping for some great insights to help me in my pursuit of honing my acting skills and learning more about the voice acting world. 4 days and 104 episodes later, I am extremely impressed and grateful for your work to educate others about this craft. I have several notes of ideas that resonated with me and action steps that I would like to take in order to delve further into this art form. I loved your statement that acting relates to the desire to communicate to others and to be understood, and that the fascination of learning the craft is what is needed. This dispels the myth that a ‘good actor’ is one who was ‘born’ with the talent, and that those who act are seeking personal attention. I also felt you took care to give a realistic view of ‘the business’ while still encouraging those with a passion to pursue it.
I look forward to future opportunities to interact and learn more. Thanks again!
Wow! 104 episodes in 4 days! That’s a lot of information to listen to at once! I hope you didn’t find it overwhelming! I’m glad you’re finding so many actionable items to put on your to do list. That’s great to hear. I’m also glad that you find that there’s a good balance between a realistic view of the business and being encouraging to follow your inspiration to improve your artistry. That’s what I was going for and it’s heartening to know that you appreciate that balance. All the best to you!
Well, that does explain a lot. I wish there was more that I can do with others. What if I held weekly group practice sessions over Skype? Kinda like the class we did. That way we can take turns being the audience. I would do more live stuff if I had the time.
Thank you for your time and wisdom.
I’d definitely be down for that. Shoot me a message if you see this – frustratedrocka@gmail.com
Excellent! I hope you guys are able to develop a good workout group!
You know, I’d be down for that too actually. I’ll send you an e-mail.
You could totally hold group practice sessions! I know many voice actors who do that. In fact there’s a group of voice over people who even do some improv online in a group setting. I say go for it!
Crispin, I have been listening to your podcasts since you first started. Every episode, I learn something new.
Thank you very much for the podcast and your continued insight into the acting profession.
Thank you Edward! It’s nice to hear that you’ve been enjoying the podcast for so long! Thanks for being a loyal listener! I appreciate it!
I totally understand this. I’ve found myself multiple times CRAVING at least a director to listen to me, so I can gauge where i’m at and where they want me to go. I’ve found a friend who’s in the indie film business and he wants to improve his directing skills, and I needed a director so badly. So we made a little pact to help each other out when we need it. Plus skype directing sessions are 10x more fun to record stuff than doing it on your own. The “just going through the motions” thing really got to me as well.
And the audience being your friend and depersonalizing the critique was a great bit as well. It’ll take a while to believe that, but once you do it’s super useful like you said.
Anyways, lovely podcast as always, and can’t wait till next time!
~ Kalyn
Excellent! So glad you’ve found someone to give you feedback on your acting! That can be so incredibly helpful. Sometimes I ask to go in to my agent’s office to read something because just having someone there watching me helps keep me on my toes and make sure that I’m talking to someone rather than getting too much in my head!
Good for you! Glad you enjoyed the episode!
hi Crispin.
I’m a large fan of your work as a voice actor and you’ve strengthened my resolve to become a voice actor.
My question is about getting a job as a voice actor in anime as a foreigner. I live in Australia, and although I can confidently do “an american accent” I have some doubts I’ll be able to get my dream job no matter how hard I train and become a better actor.
The reason I think this is because I heard a rumour that voice acting companies in America aren’t fond of Australian or other foreigners as they aren’t as skilled.
What do you think? as an experienced voice actor whose been in the industry for a long time, do you think that my anxiety has a leg to stand on? Thank you so much Crispin! can’t wait to hear more of your awesome Podcasts. 🙂
Hi Luke.
Although I can’t alleviate your fears because I’m not a professional yet, I just want to let you know that I support you 100%. I’m a foreigner myself, and, “worse” than that, I’m not a native speaker, I don’t even live in an English-speaking country, and my American accent isn’t perfect yet. But you know what? Screw that. If you’re determined to do this because you want to do it, you’ll succeed. It’s only a matter of being inspired and working hard to get where you want to be.
In fact, I’d even argue that, in some ways, we as foreigners have an advantage over American English native speakers: we have to work so hard on the language – syntax, words, grammar, pronunciation, accent, rhythm and intonation – that when we finally get there, our analytical skills and our ability to break down the meaning, music and underlying emotions of a given script can equal, if not surpass those of native speakers. The work we have to do requires a special sort of discipline, focus and diligence that native speakers don’t have to go through, for obvious reasons. I’m convinced that the initial hurdle we face as foreigners will eventually blossom into a competitive advantage. So, in my opinion, whoever believes foreigners can’t be as skilled as native speakers at acting in English is full of **** and simply doesn’t understand a thing about language learning.
By the way, if you have a foreign-sound name (whatever that means), one way to reassure American casting directors might be to find yourself an American-sounding nickname, although I don’t know how crucial that is. This was just one suggestion Crispin gave me during class. I know I’m considering doing that at some point. I just sound too darn foreign with my actual name, ha.
I’m always happy to see other foreigners being brave enough to do this. Way to go, man. Keep at it. You’ll succeed.
Thanks so much for your wonderful comment Bertrand! I agree with everything you have to say whole-heartedly. Bertrand recently came to Los Angeles to take class with me and I was blown away by his mastery of the English language and his understanding of what it takes to be believable as a performer. Really amazing stuff! Take all of his words to heart!
Crispin, you just made my night. I’m honored that you think so highly of me. Coming from you, that’s high praise indeed.
I hope to be able to take your classes again in some form soon. Luke, if you can take Crispin’s online class (or, if you’re crazy like me, fly to the US to take one his LA classes), please do. It’s well worth it.
Hi there Luke. I understand your concerns about pursuing voice acting. This podcast does focus on voice acting in America because that’s where I live and work primarily. I’m not intimately familiar with voice acting opportunities in Australia so I’m sorry that I can’t share more information about the industry “down under”. If you’d like to pursue voice acting in Australia, you’ll have to do some research yourself to see what’s possible. Hopefully you understand that the principles I’ve shared with you in the podcast are applicable in any voice over marketplace.
As far as American voice acting companies not wanting to hire Australians, I’ve never heard that ever. In fact, often for military video games, they want authentic Australian accents for their characters and they’re not interested in listening to American’s attempting to do an Australian accent. They’d rather have actually Australians playing the characters. Now, there are probably many Australian actors living in Los Angeles pursuing film and TV careers so that’s probably the pool of talent they’re pulling from to play those kinds of characters. I don’t think they cast people out of the country. That would be too difficult both logistically and in terms of cost. But I’ve never heard anyone run down Australian actors. In fact, there are more and more Australian actors working in Hollywood all the time!
My advice would be similar to what I talked about early in the podcast in episodes 17 and 18 where I talked about the best cities for voice acting and whether or not you’re ready to move there. Do your best to excel in your local market first. Exhaust all of your available opportunities in your own backyard. If you do, you’ll start to feel when you’re becoming a big fish in a small pond. Only then should you think about trying to relocate to a larger market.
Hope that helps!
Great tips. Knowing your audience will also help you to decide on the “voice” to use. The writer’s voice is a literary term used to describe the individual writing style of an author but also includes how formal or informal (relaxed) the tone of voice should be.
Jason@VanEman
I would agree. I would just want to clarify that when you say “voice” I don’t think you mean a character voice, but rather the tone or attitude of your voice. I don’t put on a different voice to record a commercial than when I record my podcast, but I do change my tone or attitude when I’m using my voice in those different voice over environments.
Hi Crispin
I’ve been a huge fan of yours since I was a kid and I wanted to say thanks for always bringing your best to every project.
One of my life long afflictions has been shyness and anxiety. There were times when I wouldn’t speak for hours or days and when I attempted to speak I would get light headed and blackout. This has been a big problem since my teen years.
I’m doing what I can to push myself to change this and I’ve joined an improve group in my university. It’s really fun and exciting. I’ve been encouraged to try out for some theater productions but my anxiety and panic are returning to haunt me. This has earned my some not so affectionate nicknames but it did earn me the part of dopey in snow white.
You had mentioned you were initially very shy when you were young. Do you have any advice for regaining your composure when your overwhelmed during acting projects?
Thank you. I’m glad you like my work so much.
I’m sorry you seem to suffer such anxiety when speaking. I’m glad that you’ve joined an improv group. I think that’s a very good idea.
It’s true that I was shy when I was young. I think it’s perfectly normal not to have people watching you too closely for fear that they are judging you. What helped me get over it was my fascination with theatrical storytelling. I became so enamored of telling stories on stage that any nervousness I felt became energy for what I wanted to accomplish on stage. What was happening in the story was so much more important than any temporary emotional discomfort I might be feeling. Because I prioritized the story and what the characters wanted over anything else, I didn’t have to worry as much about what others thought of me. When I realized that people appreciated such attention to detail in a story and applauded when a story was told well, then I realized that I had less and less to be anxious about. The audience wasn’t watching and judging, they were watching and appreciating.
Hopefully that helps some.