VOICE ACTING When You're Mispronouncing A Word, Define It. Comprehension Makes A Big Difference ... April 28, 2017
By Hugh Klitzke Casting Director and Coach
If you are
mispronouncing a word in a voice over script - ask yourself:
Do I really understand what the
word means in this context?
- Can I define this word in my own language?
(Totenkopf? Well, it's actually the emblem on the German cavalry
rider's hat which then became synonymous with the hat itself).
-
If I am
mis-pronouncing a proper name - do I know who they are or what they did
or what they look like?
- If it's a brand name - have I heard other spots
with that name?
(Fage, Llaollao, Siggi's Dairy and Frucht Quark are all yogurts. Dannon, anyone?)
- What is this disease
I'm supposed to say? Is it named after a person? Or is it named after
the area it's afflicting? (Crohn's Disease is named after
gastroenterologist Burrill Bernard Crohn. Hence the possessive).
- If the word is in
Elvish or Swedish or Spanglish or "whateverish" - what are other words
that I might have heard of? (The name of the Elves' language was
repeatedly changed by Tolkien from Elfin and Qenya to the
eventual Quenya).
Comprehension makes a big difference and can only add confidence.
--------------------- ABOUT HUGH Hugh
P. Klitzke is studio manager and voice casting director for a leading
bi-coastal talent agency, who in more than a decade has directed over
115,000 auditions for all voice over genres. Based in New York City, he
is also a coach specializing in teaching voice over for actors, and
blogs at voiceoverfortheactor.com, a twice-weekly blog with helpful voice acting tips.
Web: www.hughpklitzke.com Email: VO4TA@voiceoverfortheactor.com Blog: www.voiceoverfortheactor.com
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Well, this biz is not all talk - we learn something new every day!
I knew none of that until a brainy script sent me scurrying off to Wikipedia. That made it evident the idea fits with developing our crazy craft, too: we can read what's been written about it, or rub shoulders with others who actually do it - which of course includes the best coaches!
In terms of etic/emic (fortunately easy to pronounce!) the ideal I believe has to be a combined approach.
Oh, what a lot we learn, and I agree with Hugh: if we think into the meaning we offer up a better product.