Acting with the Voice: The Art of Recording Books

Publisher: Limelight Editions
Paperback, 360 pages
Author: Robert Blumenfeld

Blumenfeld convincingly argues that the basic techniques of acting apply whether the actor is performing onstage or in a sound studio. Numerous practice exercises help the actor to speak the words of a text that can be enhanced by the varying sounds of the human voice.

Chapter 1: The Voice
The Nature and Care of the Voice
Some Advice about Vocal Technique
Finding Your Voice
Placing and Supporting the Voice
Breathing and Breath Control
Developing Variety and Flexibility
Paralinguistics: How to Do Different Voices
How to Change Your Voice
Vocal Exercises

Chapter 2: Diction and Pronunciation
Guide to Correct Pronunciations
Positions of Vocal Apparatus
Stress Patterns: Rhythm
Pitch (Intonation, Music)
Some Sounds to Avoid
Some Difficulties with English
Some Words with Two Pronunciations
Practice Exercises for Good Diction

Chapter 3: Microphone and General Recording Techniques
Brief History of Recording
Microphone and Recording Technique
Environment of the Soundproof Sound Studio
What to Expect: How the Recording Session Works / Preparing for the Recording Session

Chapter 4: Acting Methods and Techniques

Chapter 5: Reading Techniques
Preparing the Text for rRecording
Phrasing and Thythm
Personalize the Text

Chapter 6: Recording Prose Fiction
General Advice: Telling the Story
Understanding Style and Period
Setting the Scene: Openings
Reading Different Kinds of Scenes: Action, Love, etc
The Character's Voice
Attitudes are Adjectives
Actions are Verbs
Using Accents

Chapter 7: Recording Plays
Chapter 8: Recording Poetry

Chapter 9: Recording Nonfiction: Making the Text Come Alive
How to Read Biography, Autobiography and Memoirs, and History
Essays and Philosophy
Humorous Nonfiction
Other Genres