I see a lot of posts by voice actors for new voice actors discussing things like which microphone to buy, how to create a good recording space, audition techniques and demo reels. What I fail to see is encouraging new voice actors to learn anything about the craft of acting before launching into trying to get cast in projects. And why I feel the need to talk about this is because I am seeing a large number of newbies who simply aren’t trained in acting. Oh, yes, your recording set up sounds great. But your performance is dreadful. So I thought the first thing I’d address on this subject is script analysis.
Hey, I get it. I’m in Hollywood where actors auditioning for small roles get maybe, if we’re lucky, a page of dialogue to create an entire character and audition out of. But that’s for an audition. Let’s discuss what you need to do when you actually are cast in the role. First and foremost, you need the FULL SCRIPT. I am not saying that audio drama producers don’t have their issues, too. I have been given only my own pages rather than the entire script. So start there. If you are not given the entire script, you need to ask for it.
When you have the script, you absolutely should NOT be skimming it to find your character name. Firstly, the actors who do that are the ones who turn in their recordings with missed lines. See, they didn’t read the whole script, and in a quick glance searching for their character name, they likely missed a few. But also, you have a JOB to do. You are creating a character that exists in that world. Not in a vacuum only on page 22. You need to know how you fit into the story, no matter how tiny the part. So read the entire script! Did I emphasize that enough? Get to know the entire story and why the writer absolutely had to include your scene in it. If the show has a long running story arc and you are somewhere in the middle, try to familiarize yourself with what came before. Read the show notes, learn about the journey that is already underway. This will help you fit into the world better when your moment comes up.
For my show, a perfect example of read the script! is I do call back jokes. A joke from scene 2 might be repeated by a different character in scene 5. If the actors (and this has happened) only read their own scene, they can’t deliver the call back to the joke because they didn’t read the joke the first time it appeared.
Another vital part of reading all of the script is sometimes other characters in other scenes talk about your character. They may make comments about you that inform how you should play your role. Your director (hopefully) gave you some insight into who your character is, but if you hear the way the other characters talk about you, that is a rich resource to help you build a well rounded person you are portraying.
I’m sorry if I have to inform newbie voice actors that acting takes HOMEWORK. It is not just turning on a mic and hitting record. If you want to have skill at this, if you want to give strong performances, you need to do the groundwork before you set foot into the studio. Start with reading the entire script and save the highlighting of your lines for last.
