In accordance with my last blog, Breath is the Soul of Voice, I’d like to continue this discussion about breath work for character development and offer another fun exercise, which is especially useful in character acting and voice over work. But first…
I couldn’t call myself a voice teacher if I didn’t encourage you to warm up ahead of time, so I’ll say it once: Go ahead and warm up ahead of time. While it is unlikely that you’ll pull a muscle during a breathing exercise, it’s good to keep in the habit. I happen to like Kristin Linklater’s warm-up progression. You can find it in her book Freeing the Natural Voice. Check out her website here.
Once you’re warmed up, choose an animal – any animal… Now picture an animated version of this animal in your head. If you can draw (I can’t), go ahead and give it a sketch – it will help bring your character to life.
When you’ve visualized your animal, I’ll invite you to consider this animal’s character from a variety of angles. Is this a small or large animal? Is it more often considered a predator or prey? What is its natural habitat? Does it travel in groups or on its own?
Don’t be afraid to ask more abstract questions, too. Does this animal have a sense of humor? Is it an intimidator? Is it prissy? Is it regal? Is it shy?
When you feel like you’ve considered your animal thoroughly, both physically and psychologically, you’re ready to…well…become it.
Embrace an age-old drama camp exercise and move around the room like the animal. I know…I know. Just do it. Think about what body part this animal leads from. If an animal leads with their nose, what does this do to the position of your body? What does it do to your breath? Animals who lead from a high point, might breath more shallowly – this might make them quick-moving and flighty. Conversely, an animal who leads from a low point, will be more grounded – perhaps, this might make them more slow-moving and cautious. [I’m using “who” on purpose, here; this is a process of personification]
Now stop moving and exaggerate your character breathing – make it cartoony. Let the breath inform the way you feel in your body. You’ve come to this breath, working from the outside – in; now, lets consider the animal from the inside – out?
How does this brand of breath change the way you fell? Do you feel like you’re breathing through your eyes or through your chest? Does this breath make you want to sit erect or slump? Follow its lead. Let your body now mold to your breath. Then….
Speak. “My name is [character name] and I’m a [type of animal]”.
Keep the same placement and essence of the breath and just see what it does to your voice. Experiment and observe your findings. You are already well on your way to the development of a character.
Kristina runs private voice and dialect class in Hollywood, as well as around the world via Skype.
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