It is interesting to note that most of us can do little impressions of old time movie stars like Bette Davis, Jimmy Stewart, James Cagney, etc. But we are not as easily able to do impressions of modem actors such as Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. Why is this? Those earlier stars came out of a Hollywood studio system which surrounded them with hundreds of vocal coaches who encouraged those actors to exaggerate their idiosyncratic vocal qualities for further effect. I doubt that Jimmy Stewart actually stuttered as much in real life or that Bette Davis actually jabbed at every phrase as in “Whaat a dump!”
I invite you to exaggerate your own vocal idiosyncrasies just a bit. If you are willing to appear slightly foolish, you will be perceived as a genius communicator!
In addition to training the voices of hundreds of people, Charles Michel has been an actor, singer, character voice performer and voice-over announcer.
Read more about Charles and watch his video interview!
Charles, I just listened to my session…wow! It was the first time that I didn’t hate my recorded voice! This session renewed my drive in voice overs. Thanks!
