Question for March 29 - April 4 2010

[Amby Leigh]

Do you have any sort of specific preparation, ritual, or exercise that you do before you start recording?

[Subaru-camui]

I always run the lines in diffrent voices to make sure i can get the right voice, than i'll run the lines while doing th movements so i'm hyped up and have the same emotions as the character. or I'll listen to an appropriate song to get me in the right state of mind

[Rahne]

I usually don't have any. Probably not the smartest thing, but I still get the job done.

[Haruhost]

I tend to read the lines in my normal speaking voice to get a feel for them. Then repeating them in my head I think of different pitches and basically think of the scenario the line is being used in before getting into the right emotional state.

[fantachan]

I tend to walk around practicing the lines with less energy and eventually practice them with more energy.

I then practice my lines as to how they should be said right before I record them. When I'm confident enough with the performance, I record it.

I go through other processes, but I find this one to be more effective. :sweat

[Ryusuke]

Nothing special. Make sure I'm all rest up, and refresh my memory on the character's thoughts and mannerisms. Then use trigger lines to try and get into the character. Cold read the script and get on with the recording.

[Amby Leigh]

I first start with repeating the audition lines I recorded to get the role. There is usually one line that I end up considering to be my base point for any voice. For example, my base point line for Huntress from Batman-No Man's Land was always "Don't be, it was my fault. I failed. I should have known when I started. I'd never be able to do it his way."

I repeat that about a MILLION times gargling water between repeats before I do my first recording. And that first recording is just a draft. I usually run each line about 3 to 5 times in different ways and then play it back. Only after I listen to the first draft of the lines taking notes on what I like and what I don't like do I then go and make my REAL recording.

It's a process alright >.<

[Kissy-Sensei]

I usually read all of my lines, skimming through the script, and read my lines outline, sort of like a practice. I re-read them, paying close attention to the lines around me so I can get the emotion correctly. Then, if a reference clip is provided, I watch that to see how long my talking windows are so I don't screw up the lip flaps. After that, I press record and do a few test-runs to make sure my voice isn't weird or my mic isn't acting funny. I make sure I have PLENTY of water and sometimes, an apple if I'm getting mouth clicks. After being full satisfied with everything, I record, usually doing two or three takes with different inflections, emotions and pitches.

:D Yay recording!

[YamiRin]

the only thing I do everytime is that I'm trying to read the whole script, and if not that then at least the whole scenes that my character is in. what eventual other things I do depends on what character I play, what lines I have and how I feel myself (like once I made myself sugar high for the sake of having the energy to do the lines in time, got quite some funny bloopers out of that recording session)

[Rahne]

I usually read all of my lines, skimming through the script, and read my lines outline, sort of like a practice. I re-read them, paying close attention to the lines around me so I can get the emotion correctly. Then, if a reference clip is provided, I watch that to see how long my talking windows are so I don't screw up the lip flaps. After that, I press record and do a few test-runs to make sure my voice isn't weird or my mic isn't acting funny. I make sure I have PLENTY of water and sometimes, an apple if I'm getting mouth clicks. After being full satisfied with everything, I record, usually doing two or three takes with different inflections, emotions and pitches.

:D Yay recording!

I forgot to mention almost ALL of that! I actually do do this! God, this stuff comes as such... second nature, it's actually easy for me to forget that I even do it at all. I suck. x.x

[S.J.]

I have a rather thick Canadian accent, so I practice saying vowels out loud to get accustom to actually speaking without slipping into the accent so much. This method I find also doubles as vocal warm up, especially when I slip into producing various different voice types while doing it... and trying to maintain that specific voice type that I envision the character having, before cold reading through the script and using a character prompt to slip into character and go from there. Also, I find that my native tongue has a tendency to interfere with my pronunciation with certain words, so I use an on-line dictionary with audio recording of the specific word that I have a hard time with, play it back and repeat the word myself several times over like a broken record to accustom myself to actually saying it. It usually sticks after. That's my preparation, ritual and exercise.

[TriPredRavage]

I normally read the script when I first receive it so that I have an idea of what's going on. Other than that, I don't normally do warm ups or anything and just go in dry. I know the points where I modify my voice to usually very well (because I tend to come up with a new voice and then do it constantly, much to everyone around me's displeasure), so I typically don't have to listen to a reference or work back into a voice.

(500th post!)

[Pi_Face314]

Drink a lot of water, first of all, then take some deep breaths. If it's a fandub, I also listen to the reference clip two or three times just before I record, then I put on my headphones and begin...

[Menchi]

Nothing big, just reading through the script, see what the characters like, and to make sure the mic's plugged in xD

[CalmProto]

I try to picture what the director is telling me about the situation, then relate that scenario to a personal experience, attempt to pull in those same emotions from that experience and begin speaking in the current situation.

[Sera Phia]

Well, first a drink of water, some bites in an apple and some warm-ups help before recording. Then I read over the lines, discern the right emotion, and say them aloud without recordng. I try to memorize them, too, so that it seems more realistic. When I think I'm ready, I'll record with as many takes as necessary, depending on the line.

When I record auditions, I'm usually much more picky on which takes I'll use and which takes I won't.

[McTricky]

I normally read the script when I first receive it so that I have an idea of what's going on. Other than that, I don't normally do warm ups or anything and just go in dry.

(500th post!)

I do what Tri does.

[Kei]

I don't have a warm up persay, just get into the voice and start recording.

[TheCheetoBandito]

I do all the same stuff I do for living acting! I start with a physical warm up, cause I just feel better once I get the blood flowing. Then I do a whole bunch of diction and breathing exercises, cause if I don't I find I'm really sloppy. Then I do diaphragmatic breathing as part of my warm up, then I often do it before every recording cause it gives me enough breath support to rip out a whole bunch of takes.

[Geekums]

I usually eat a green apple a little while before I record. Then I have some water and say, "Diction is done with the tip of the tongue and the teeth" a couple times. I also will run the first line over and over again to loosen up my mouth before I really start to record.

[Subaru-camui]

Hey, what's up with eating an apple, several people have said they eat an apple before recording. does it help your voice?

[TriPredRavage]

Hey, what's up with eating an apple, several people have said they eat an apple before recording. does it help your voice?

It removes the spitty/clicky sounds that naturally happen when you speak. It's something that you don't often notice in real life, but once your record yourself, it's hard to miss.

[MissAck]

Not really... >.>
Usually I'll just read them and go from there.
Or I'll end up talking to myself, in different tones or just randomly, while Audacity is ever-so-kindly waiting for me to actually say the lines.

[Subaru-camui]

It removes the spitty/clicky sounds that naturally happen when you speak. It's something that you don't often notice in real life, but once your record yourself, it's hard to miss.
Oh really? guess I'll start doing that when I get ready to record to :) thanks for explaining that to me

[TriPredRavage]

Oh really? guess I'll start doing that when I get ready to record to :) thanks for explaining that to me

No problem! Happy to help.

[sparf]

I do a shortened Linklater warmup, focusing more on opening the channel and warming up the articulators. Then I do a few standard lines that stretch out my low, mid, and upper range. For me, I start low, with Destro. "Militarily speaking, it is only fair to say that Cobra Commander is a world class....buffoon.". I'll repeat that a few times, then move up to my natural/middle register. First, I do the v-word monologue from V for Vendetta ("Voila, in view a humble vaudevillian veteran..."), then for the upper middle I move to John Hurt as Chancellor Sutler ("Spare us your professional annotations, Mr. Finch, they are irrelevant." "Gentlemen, I want this terrorist found. And I want him to understand what terror really means..."), then I move to the upper register. For this I use Cobra Commander ("The fault, most imperial Serpentor lies not within us but within you!" "You have no jurisdiction over me! Release me at once or taste my wrath!")

Once that's done, I make sure my water bottle is full and nearby. I take a few sips and start going over the script. I try never to do a script 'cold', without having read it first. Only after I'm comfortable with the syntax and grammar of a script do I start to record. Sometimes, if it's particularly challenging I'll do some markups, picking my operative words out of the sentences, etc... but that's less common.

So...yay, long answers!

[Voiceofanangel]

I do vocal exercises like you would for singing, however I may have to try that apple trick as I do notice that sometimes my voice does get clicky naturally.

[TheCheetoBandito]

The only thing with the apple is I do believe it is specifically green sour apples, so hope ya like sour :P. OH, and I down a whole bunch of water well before and right before I record! It's amazing how heated up you can get doing a reasonably stationary action lol.

[Stardale]

Although I'm no longer more of a voice actor, I think before you record, you got to make sure that you are very much comfortable with your current state, otherwise your output can be of no quality. What I think a VA should do first is that he should feel fresh, have your meals and don't be hungry. Before you start recording, you should start rehearsing on your own. Independently read your lines, and make necessary adjustments as you go through reading the lines.

Unless you have to record a stressed/overworked man or woman, make sure that you have enough strength to do the lines.

Those were what our producer do to us before we start recording the comedy.

[Amby Leigh]

Although I'm no longer more of a voice actor, I think before you record, you got to make sure that you are very much comfortable with your current state, otherwise your output can be of no quality.

Agreed 120%
Especially if you are in a totally different state of mind then your character is.

[lionfayt]

Uhmm.. I don't think I'd call this a ritual or anything. Maybe somethin' to warm me up for the upcoming recording I'd have to do. I usually run through the repertoire of impressions that I do, just to get the ol' vocal chords a workin', haha. Usually do a skype call with a friend or so to get back to being comfortable and situated in front of the mic. Maybe take a walk around the house and start yelling or doing impressions to my family, having them laugh, and then go in to my room again with a bottle of tea or water... sit down, bring up the crap I gotta record (haha, xD It's not crap, I just call all stuff that when I get bored of using the word "stuff"), and then read through the script in the voice I need to use annnnnnnd record.

Though, thats usually what I do on my good days where I feel good about recording things. On other days (my usual days) I just get in front of the mic and record without any thought upon it, without any hesitations or anything. I just go in front of the mic and voice act. I usually fall into character more easily that way, depending, but it works in both scenarios. For me, anyhow.

I don't do much to prepare myself, my family's the ones that have to prepare. I go "Okay guys, I'mma record" and so they either have to prepare for laughter or tell other people that "oh, Nicky's just recording... no he's not dying... yeah that's him..... okay, he might have died that time, but it's fine, it's fine." xD

[hyperknees91]

I'm too lazy to do anything but record.

[Matt Cruea]

I first start with repeating the audition lines I recorded to get the role. There is usually one line that I end up considering to be my base point for any voice. For example, my base point line for Huntress from Batman-No Man's Land was always "Don't be, it was my fault. I failed. I should have known when I started. I'd never be able to do it his way."

I was going to say that I don't have a ritual aside from ensuring I set aside time, but this reminds me that I do something similar, just not, perhaps, on purpose. While most of my roles seem to use my normal speaking voice, when I do use an odd voice or an accent or something, I will find one line that just... works. There always seems to be one that gets you the spirit of the character.

Like, four years ago I was in this faux-trailer for a Metal Gear Solid radioplay done by... I forget whom. Squall something. Anyway, I did a George Bush impression for the role of the President, this ghostly whisper thing for the Horseman of Death, but the bigger of the three roles was Liquid Snake.

If you know the character, he's got a pretty distinctive voice and a lot of time had passed since the auditions, so I wasn't sure I could do it. So I recorded all the lines, doing my best Cam Clarke, and then there was one line. "Hello... BROTHER." Very standard Liquid Snake, but it just fit and I think I nailed it. I went back and re-recorded all the other lines, using that one line as a standard barometer.

I think it's all about finding a character, and when you can do that you can do anything.

[Midnightmoonproductions]

Usually I first try and listen to a reference of the character I'm about to voice for. Then I try different versions of the characters lines so that I can get a good medium between staying true to the original character yet also giving the lines my own flare.

Then I go through and read the lines that I have again and try to imagine myself in the same conversation or thinking of the inner monologue so that I can potray the emotions better. After all this I record once with only the script and then if it's a visual project I then record a run with the video. I then go back and listen to both then If I like the emotion in a line then I try and repeat it several times before going back and doing another run.