0346 – Projection And Character

2021.12.12 – 0346 – Projection And Character

Volume is a key part of presentation from a script, whether in voice overs, voice acting, reading or presenting, and that volume needs to be appropriate for the character, the location, the message and the audience.

The clues to the volume you use will be in the script, the written or studio direction, or in the outline / brief / specs provided by the scriptwriter / agency / client. It is your job to take all the clues and direction and create content that connects with the target audience to make them do or feel something. That could be to buy a certain thing, think a certain way, or laugh, or cry, or become angry and so on.

The character

It’s perhaps obvious that a character written as a bully would be loud and lairy. But think about that for a moment. Aren’t some of the most threatening characters actually rather quiet, perhaps even unassuming? It may have more effect to whisper a threat than shout one. And yes, horror films have sudden loud surprises, but the softer noises can be more scary than soothing.

A confident person, you might suggest, would be someone that has no problem sharing their voice at a good, clear volume. But think again, confidence may be shown in a quiet voice because the speaker knows they have the personality and gravitas to command the room be hushed to listen to them. Wasn’t you most effective teacher at school the one who spoke softly rather than shouted?

These few examples show that with a bit of thought and direction, you can make your character more 3D than 2D when it comes to portraying them through the use of volume. 

Audio recording script and show notes (c) 2021 Peter Stewart

Through these around-5-minute episodes, you can build your confidence and competence with advice on breathing and reading, inflection and projection, the roles played by better scripting and better sitting, mic techniques and voice care tips... with exercises and anecdotes from a career spent in TV and radio studios. If you're wondering about how to start a podcast, or have had one for a while - download every episode!

And as themes develop over the weeks (that is, they are not random topics day-by-day), this is a free, course to help you GET A BETTER BROADCAST, PODCAST AND VIDEO VOICE.

Look out for more details of the book during 2022.

Contacts: https://linktr.ee/Peter_Stewart

Peter has been around voice and audio all his working life and has trained hundreds of broadcasters in all styles of radio from pop music stations such as Capital FM and BBC Radio 1, the classical music station BBC Radio 3 and regional BBC stations. He’s trained news presenters on regional TV, the BBC News Channel and on flagship programmes such as the BBC’s Panorama. 

The podcast title refers to those who may wish to change their speaking voice in some way. It is not a suggestion that anyone should, or be pressured into needing to. We love accents and dialects, and are well aware that how we speak changes over time. The key is: is your voice successfully communicating your message, so it is being understood (and potentially being acted upon) by your target audience?

This podcast is London-based and examples are spoken in the RP (Received Pronunciation) / standard-English / BBC English pronunciation, although invariably applicable to other languages, accents and dialects.

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