How can you use your voice to convey emotion in voice-over work?

You've Only Got 30 Seconds Stupid! Unless, as a VO, you've got a part in a audio drama / animation or game - most voice acting is restricted by the clock. Ads tend towards either the 'natural' voice where the feel of the read is what's required; warm, with authority, friendly, reassuring etc OR an Ad may demand an instant stereotype; working class / posh / clever / stupid / employer / employee. Lastly, an Ad may want a 'sell sell sell' voice; excited / urgent / loud / insistent. Personally I envy the VO who has the tone and timbre which everyone wants and gets paid well just for being themselves!

In my experience, as human beings we sometimes forget to actually breath- deliberately. Breathing can convey emotional state even before the speaking commences. For example, when we typically relax in a holiday beach chair/sofa/or other, it is usually a vocalised and slightly sustained out-breath, followed by calm breathing.

The Invisible Audience Love You! One of the biggest privileges of being a Voice Actor is control. On stage, an actor raises the vocal pitch to reach the back of the Auditorium - on film, the actor is aware that the camera sees the smallest change of expression and facial reaction. A Voice Actor only has a mic. Your mic is the interpreter of every emotion, breath and tone that you decide to give it. Your mic never judges or disapproves. It is your best friend. So use this artistic freedom. Imagine the character - now experiment - how would they speak - react - any accent? What do they look like? Then surprise yourself - does their voice go against type. Let the character create the voice then get comfortable with it. Have fun.

It's Just Me And A Mirror Wasn't it brilliant, as a kid, to be in your bedroom with a mirror posing and acting like our favourite TV characters, pop stars and celebrities? That desire never goes away, and for the voice actor it's real - except that the mirror is now a mic - and the stage is now a sound booth! The best thing about voice acting work is that you are cast on the voice alone. You can be in your '30's and play a ninety year old - or you can be skinny playing a Viking warrior! It's all in the voice. How great is that! When voicing a script I normally 'act out' the part physically - you don't have to - but it helps me get over strident & particularly emotional lines - so do what you have to do - just don't bump into the mic!

It’s important to remember your positional placement of the mouth and microphone. Close up allows for a in the ear breathy and emotional close intimidate audio experience but distance is great for wide open sounds and more aggressive sounds.

In human sounds we can also make onomatopoetic sounds. Like "bazam" or "klonk". Or simply beatbox. These sounds are also good attention cachers when performed with attitude and entertainment. Try them when you can!

There is tremendous power in silence and intentional pauses especially in unexpected places. Inhales and breathing are powerful tools to convey emotion as well as a vocal crescendo building your voice gradually conveying passion or intensity. Leave them on the edge of their seats