The Actors' Voice - Expressing Truthfully. Power Connection Acting Exercises for Vocal Flexibility
This e-class, copyright, Neva J Howell
Featured for vocal power:
Deepen and Strengthen Your Voice
This is the acting exercise section of acting lesson number 3, of the Power Connection Online Acting Class.
If you have reached this page directly, from a search engine search of link, you will need to visit
the acting exercise 3 - the actor's' voice first.
If you'd like to see the course description please visit the the course outline for the power connection acting class, complete the intro and the preceding lessons before doing this one on emotional accessibility for the actor.
There is a quality to the voice when it is speaking truth; there is another quality when the voice is lying or pretending.
Unless the character you are portraying is supposed to be lying or pretending, you'd better know how to summon reality into your words on stage or in front of the camera. Otherwise, you will quickly lose the audience.
VOCAL EXERCISES - EFFECTIVELY USING YOUR VOICE AS AN ACTOR
ACTING EXERCISE 1: OBSERVATION
In the same way you paid attention to any restriction of movement in the physical acting exercises in lesson two, you will now notice any difficulty in expressing verbally.
Begin as before, by choosing a time when you will be undisturbed and putting yourself in a relaxed state.
Warm up by using your voice, making sounds but no words, as follows:
* Fast to slow tempo
* Slow to fast tempo
* High to low notes
* Low to high notes
* Loud to soft sound
* Soft to loud sound
* Repeat sound in short bursts
* Repeat sound, held as long as breath permits
* Spontaneous sound - whatever comes out.
ps. This type of vocal freedom is what enabled Steve Carrell, as Evan Baxter in the film Bruce Almighty, to create one of the most funny scenes I've ever seen in my entire life.
You know the scene, in Bruce Almighty .... where Steve is live on the air, announcing the news, so proud of just being named co-anchor.
Jim Carrey's character, Bruce, takes over Evan Baxter's vocal cords and makes Evan start saying all this garbled gibberish. Steve Carell did a brillant job with this, and created what I consider a classic comic masterpiece scene. Hilarious.
While Steve may have made it look easy in Bruce Almighty, I assure you that verbal flexibility and improv of that sort is not easy at all for most people.
Because we are such a verbal, mentally oriented society, this exercise may be surprisingly challenging for some of you. If you find you simply can't just make any old sound that comes out, which is what we're aiming for here, then pick a word like "puh" or "luh" or "gru" and do the exercise above.
ACTING EXERCISE 2: ALLOWING EMOTION
Returning to the list of words in the physical exercise of the same name, detaching from any need to form verbal patterns in the mind, and allow your voice to tell you how that emotion or state sounds.
Start by making sound only, to represent each word. It could be a moan, a scream, an almost silent sigh, etc.
Then, actually say each word, feeling it on your tongue and lips, allowing the concept represented in the letters to be interpreted vocally.
Anger
Loneliness
Fear
Joy
Excitement
Tenderness
Pain
Sorrow
Disbelie
Confusion
Stress
Ignorance
If you wanta take this a step further, pick a sentence that is the total opposite of what you are feeling and express it. A great deal of comedy comes from saying one thing and meaning another. A lot of great drama is the same.
If you are in love with someone and they tell you they are marrying someone else (a common theme), if you really love them, you may try to act happy for them.
You may say good things. And ..... your body and voice will betray the truth.
ACTING EXERCISE 3: COMBINING PHYSICAL AND VERBAL
Go through the list again, combining a spontaneous physical reaction to whatever comes out verbally. Do not attach to anything previously expressed in these exercises because, the more you do this work, the more original and powerful will be the expressions. That is the beauty of your make-up!
You have an inexhaustible well of originality that will continually refresh and replenish your work, provided you avoid accepting the last interpretation as the best.
To evaluate what you've learned from lesson three, journal the following:
What words were difficult for you and which ones were easy to get in touch with emotionally?
Did you notice that your body did anything when you were doing the exercises? Did your arms or hands move or express in a certain way that would indicate an emotional response from the body?
If so, do the exercise again attempting to strengthen whatever reaction the voice was giving way to in the body response.
Continue with the class.......Acting Lesson Four - The Actor's Emotions
Acting Career Resources: Extra Work * Acting Guide * Acting Agencies
All Acting Lessons for Level One.
Best done in order.
Lesson One - Introduction to Acting Lessons
Lesson Two - The Actor's Body
Lesson Three - The Actor's Voice
Lesson Four - The Actor's Emotions
Acting Lesson Five - The Actor's Mind
Acting Lesson Six - Believable Acting Tips
Free Audition Tips and Info on Ebook for Acting
What Makes Good Acting > Creative Moments > Throat Chakra Clearing for a More Powerful Voice
