All voice-over people practice read… at least they should!
It is one of the fundamental skills of the voice talent. It is preached by
voice artists and coaches alike. From Mike Kirby to Scott Rummell to Yuri and Tara
at VoiceOverVoiceActor.com. Read, read, read and then read some more!
Not only should
you do this if you are dedicated to the craft, you probably do this all the
time without realizing it. Do you read billboards and ads aloud just to try
your ‘take’ on them? I know I do!
The question is then “what to read?” I will search for
sample scripts and every commercial style or narration I can to practice, but
the easy answer is that you can read just about anything. Grab a newspaper or
magazine and start reading out loud.
Read for an hour a day. Break it up if
your get bored but read what interests you. The more wide and varied the text,
the better you’ll get at cold reads. And you will get better!
But what about some truly enjoyable reading material that
will help your skills and be fun, too!
Well, here are five I think you’ll enjoy!
- i) Anything
by Dr. Seuss is at the top of my list. His thoroughly entertaining stories
for kids always seem to hold a moral for adults. But more importantly for
us, they provide a better alternative than regular tongue-twisters. The
odd rhythms and colourful text make these stories a challenge to read and
fun, too.
ii) How The Grinch Stole Christmas is another holiday classic that, while it fits into this first category (Dr. Seuss) still earns a spot of its own. The familiar read by Boris Karloff is so well know it is difficult to give it a different treatment, but I have done many. Try it!
- Jabberwocky. If you are familiar with this poem you can imagine the terror being handed it as a cold read and not being familiar with it. The many nonsense words leave many to ponder but this piece by Lewis Carroll allows for a a character voice and your enthusiasm to come through.
- The Night Before Christmas is a classic. I don’t have to tell you about it. It is just a wonder piece to practice with around the holidays. I have heard many, many different ways to read this, so have fun.
- Casey at the Bat, the 1888 baseball classic poem by Ernest Thayer is a good length and shows good emotional range. Throw in a voice or two for good measure to bring this story to life.
- Any
Beatles song. This is fun and a good way to develop different ways to do a
different take on a read that you imagine only being done one way. Take
the lyrics to your favourite Beatles tune and read them in a way that is
anything but ‘sing-songy’. Make it sound like a poem or a letter. Just
don’t sing it. Sound like fun?
So try keeping some of my Favourite Five at hand and you'll have more fun with your practice reads and build your skills, too!
I hope this gives you a new outlook on this aspect of your daily schedule. I bet you have ideas for your own list already!
Until next time…
Until next time…
Cheers,
Doug
