BRILLIANCE IN PERFORMANCE
Or... On the Right Track
Originally published in ShopTalk in October, 1998.
Several of the articles in this series explore how to
utilize real-life communication skills to enhance your on-camera credibility.
The same thing applies (maybe even more so) when you are tracking. Most want
their VO's to sound natural and to be in the same energy ballpark as their
stand-ups. This is always tough to master in the beginning, though it can be
made a bit simpler by (again!) remembering to use your own life as the example
to follow.
For instance; whilst tracking, it helps to conjure up how
you talk to a friend on the telephone. In that scenario, it actually is a
conversation, so trying to sound real or believable isn't an issue. Now, you
don't necessarily want the same style of casual banter in your VO - just
the naturalness and core connection to both story and audience with which it
happens. So, here are a couple of things you can practice to help things along.
In real life, we say things like: "You know what?", "OK,
here's the deal...", "Well, first of all...", "OMG, you won't believe what
happened next...". You could call these little phrases "verbal incidentals",
since they incidentally set the tone and prepare the other person for what comes
next. Think of it as "getting them in the mood".
You all know where I'm heading with this...
Why not use the same idea as a way to get yourself "in the mood" for what
comes next - and sound natural in the bargain? Try it by starting every sentence
with a "verbal incidental". Make it something that springboards you into the
idea or feeling for what comes next. But when you say them - mean them! That way
you'll mean what comes right after. This is natural, in the context of telling a
story to a friend. Practice the same darn thing in the context of script reading
and it'll naturally sound more like you're talking, not reading.
Then, how about those sections of script that no matter
how it's written, feels and sounds awkward? If you can rewrite so that it flows
better, then do! But if you HAVE to read it as is, first paraphrase the awkward
part. Put it in your own words. Not the news version - your own version. Chat
the meaning, try using more words, different words, put pauses in
different places... whatever it takes till you turn it on its ear and the
meaning falls out. Use lots of incidentals ('What happened next was
amazing...", "The upshot of the deal was...", etc.) to get yourself having a
conversation with the piece. Take liberties. But then gradually start
putting the real words back in place, all the while hanging onto the feel and
meaning that you dug up by paraphrasing.
Both of these are great exercises for getting past "the
words", into the feeling you want to convey. You keep it natural, too, since
you're using skills drawn from everyday life.
Technical tip to sound natural, whether tracking or
on-camera; don't stress prepositions when you talk. At, by, in, to, from, for,
near, off, on, out, with - and all the rest, are to avoid stress. Doctor's
orders! Of course, there are exceptions, but they will find you, don't go
looking. By and large, natural language flow doesn't emphasize these words to
make a point, so it'll sound contrived - and like you're reading - if you do.
Look for ways to speak to and emphasize the subject of each sentence or
thought. This also means avoiding emphasizing "and" wherever possible. Keep
finding the point of each thought that you're conveying and it'll go a
long way toward your sounding both confident and natural.
It seems simple, but it pays to return to basics. Keeps
you honest!
|