Hi
Till two weeks ago, I just GMed by PbP where this isn't important.
Now I started a game via skype, and I'm running into a little problem:
I'm horrible at speaking in different voices or accents.
The first session was ok, as we were playing We Be Goblins, and I managed somewhat of a goblin voice. It wasn't awesome great, but it was ok.
The next session we started with the actual game, and I found out most my female NPCs sound like goblins too (just they don't talk quite as fast). Which well, seems a bit wrong.
I want to change this, and at least give the main NPCs some unique voice or something, so people recognize who's talking without me having to say "And Ameiko says now..."
Problem with learning different accents is that I'm from Germany and already have a german accent I believe, so I don't think I will actually manage good scottish or irish accents or stuff like that, without sounding like I mock them :)
Any tips on how or where I could learn to improve that?
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Alter pitch, vocabulary, and sound. You don't need to try for the ascent of a particular culture, just make your own up.
Also, you've probably heard all sorts of goofy voices in cartoons, movies, television, etc. Try to copy ones you like for the characters. Don't worry about getting them right, just make them distinct. Go ahead, be over the top.
Ultimately, mannerisms will matter more than voice. Does the NPC get angry easily? Does he talk with his hands? Does he look down his nose at people? These all matter, and don't involve changing your voice any.
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Try visiting sites that cater to voice-over actors. One of my favorites is Voices.com. they have a series of podcasts from some of the top experts that have really helped me develop character voices. One of the people you should listen to is Pat Fraley.
here is a link to the podcast archive - http://podcasts.voices.com/voiceoverexperts/
A couple things:
It's easier to do a parody or exaggerated version of an accent, rather than the real thing. Think that rather than do Sean Connery's voice, do 'Sean Connery's' voice from the Saturday Night Live "Celebrity Jeopardy" sketches.
Second, concentrate on a few mannerisms or a vocal hitch rather than an full accent. An old man who "harrumphs" at the end of some sentences, or a courtesan who giggles at odd times. Same with goblins, clip their words, throw out some "longshanks" references and use "we be" this and "we be" that, a lot Or sing!
Even something as simple as a single specific choice in pronunciation can have a big effect. For example, drop the "Th" sound from words, "T'ere is someting bad coming tis way." Boom, you have an accent. Substitute W's for V's, bam, same thing. Pronounce "Oh" sounds as "Ah" sounds. One little change can have a big effect, and makes it easier on you.
Look up interviews with impressionist comedians. Bear in mind too, that most cartoons and video games use the same voice actors for different roles in the same show/game. It isn't impossible or even difficult to do. Sometimes a keyword, a phrase or a physical gesture is all you need to establish and maintain a "voice".
One of the most fun villains I've ever run in game called the PC's kittens. To trigger the voice (and mannerisms, he had a limping gait) was "ello kittens." Worked every time.
EDIT: man, I got ninja'ed hard!
One of the real tricks is that you dont have to do a perfect english accent or scottish or russian or anything else, you just need to be consistent. In fact you dont have to do accents at all. I presume your game is in english even though you yourself are german. Well, think of friends and or tv characters speaking english. Use tones and styles of speach that are comfortable for you but are different from your normal pattern. How does your father speak? Is it noticably different from you? Does he had different preferences for words? If so this can be great to assign to a specific npc, same with your sister, or your best friend etc. It doesnt have to be an accent or a 'goblin voice' it can just be a different tone with a different style of talking. And that kind of change is less about talent for voice acting, and more for preparation and consideration (something dms are usually good at).
One of my friends found that the best advice she got for "doing voices" came from listening to a professional actor read a book for Audible. The book, in this case, was Storm Front (the first of the Dresden files books) read by James Marsters - he had a separate voice for each character, but none of them were tremendously different from his narrative voice. It was a lesson in tone, pitch, and timbre without comical exaggeration.
One of my friends found that the best advice she got for "doing voices" came from listening to a professional actor read a book for Audible. The book, in this case, was Storm Front (the first of the Dresden files books) read by James Marsters - he had a separate voice for each character, but none of them were tremendously different from his narrative voice.
James Marsters is a friggan master when it comes to this. I was so glad when I found out the new novel cold days would again be read by him (the previous one ghost story was not). And you are right, there are subtle shifts in his voice that seem still comfortable but convey strongly each character. And the key is consistency. After a while even a slight shift in tone can strongly associate with a character.
Agreed. Listening to him relay a conversation, you don't need the narrative "he said," "she said," cues. You can completely tell who is speaking each line and when the speaker changes just from the shift in his voice.
There's a lot of great advice in this thread.
What I do is a synthesis of much of what has already been stated. Overemphasize accents, choose vocal tics, and diction, diction, diction.
When I run games with lots of NPCs (which are my favorite to run), I make up a table with the NPCs names running down one side, and in addition to gaming stuff like what important information they have and what their levels and stats are and so on, I include entries for favorite phrases and "voice." In "voice" I usually put either a celebrity (or cartoon character, as someone mentioned) or a broad descriptor like "gruff German man."
So a row in the table might read: Count Perridor, 9th level necromancer, has the third key and will part with it in exchange for an introduction to Lady Nesmire, "But of course, but of course," Christopher Walken.
I don't bother with physical description overmuch because I always make little stands with pictures of the NPCs, which comes in handy when there are a bunch present so you can point from one to the other as you speak for them.
Finally, practice, practice, practice. Consider it part of your normal game prep.
Cheers,
Christopher
PS All my Andorens sound like Kennedys.
I think the biggest key to voices is confidence. My voices falter when I start to consciously think to myself "I sound silly" or "everyone's watching me" or "I can't do this voice". Just got to remember that it's all acting, and that confidence can make up for a lot of lack of actual skill.
Personally I'm really good at doing male voices, and I can hit voices in my own female vocal range, which is among the lower/deeper female voices. On the other hand I have difficulty holding higher voices steady for long conversations and I actually have to practice those higher female voices, despite being female. I don't think I've ever practiced male voices though, they just happen. It's confusing.
It's difficult to act out characters who I think need higher voices; female fey, female celestial beings, little girls, gnome women, halfling women, etc. I tend to avoid such characters, to a degree, though I really like the fey too much to exclude them for long.
Thanks for all the advice so far. I will start listening to those podcasts and hope they help :)
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I'm horrible with voices after nearly 20 years of trying. But as Lamontius notes, it's giving the NPC some "flavor" that distinguishes their voice moreso than being able to mimic an accent. I've done a dim-witted brute who unconsciously was picking at his nose during the conversation, a flirty waitress who puts one hand on her hip and bats her eyes, a stuttering guard, a noble who constantly likes to point his finger when talking, and so on. Sure, I'll try accents, but it's the mannerisms that bring NPCs alive. If it's important, I'll tell the party the person speaks with an Andoran accent, etc., but heck if I know what that sounds like.
As always, don't speak in the 3rd person if you want to immerse people into the game. (as you noted, avoid "Ameiko says").
All very good advice here. Aside from choice-of-words and syntax...
What I'd like to add is that I don't think of an accent or a "voice" as and accent or voice. I think of them as a "transform". It's a matter of "what's different?"
Take for instance a female NPC. You should (assuming you're male) be able to create that "voice" simply by pitching your voice up in key. Same pronunciation, same choice of words, just higher-pitched. Similarly if you want a gruff orc/bad-guy, "push" your voice downwards in pitch. It'll be uncomfortable and strain your throat but as long as you don't go too far it'll be reliable and you should be able to maintain it for a while.
Actual accents work the same way only in a different sense. Regional pronunciation of words are sets of sound replacements. Take the word "water". Where I live that's pronounced "wot"-"ur". In other regions it's "wadda" or even "watta". Once you notice this, you'll see that "platter" gets pronounced "pladdah" or "plattah" depending on region. You notice the transform that words ending in "er" are (almost) always pronounced "ah".
Similarly some regions gently roll their "r"s. That's something you'll hear in Spanish-based accents for instance. Some regions don't don't differentiate between "w" and "v". That makes for things that are "wery interesting" and might make for a "vise guy".
Further, some root languages put emphasis on certain sounds. For instance middle-eastern languages include more guttural sounds (that comedians make fun of as if they were clearing the throat). Ahmed is often truly pronounced "ahckmed". Mandarin Chinese on the other hand has a lot of "soft" sounds in it. Lots of "sh" sounds. My point is that you can transform your regular speaking by substituting more guttural or soft sounds. Watch some dubbed movies so you hear how Chinese people speak Mandarin and suddenly your understanding of how Chinese people speak English will deepen. You'll grasp the root of how they want to sound and why they alter the sounds common in English to suit their early-childhood learning.
Then there's the cultural differences. Stereotypical gay lisp for instance is just another transform. It's actually easy to apply and is an easy "beginner" voice.
My point in all of this is that accents and voices are just you speaking. The trick is learning to notice patterns and to on-the-fly alter those patterns. At first it takes conscious effort but after a little practice (alone in the car works great), you'll be able to reliably create unique characters. You won't* fool a Brit into thinking you're not from New York and you won't fool a Mexican into thinking you were raised in Mexico, but your players will definitely be able to tell who's talking, which is the point.
I've been doing unique voices for a few decades and while I won't claim any are perfect, everyone knows when Christopher Walken is speaking versus Arnold Schwarzenegger versus Ronald Regan. My French Guy is different from my Brittish Guy who is also subtly different from my Scottish Guy who different from my Russian, Chinese, Mexican and Japanese guys. My Aggressive Guy, my wimp, and my Goblin/Kobold are all different too. What I can't do is apply two transforms at once, for some reason. I've never pulled off the "Gay Russian" or the "Chinese guy imitating a Mexican". Just too much complexity to the transform - sadly - for my puny human brain to handle.
Hopefully this way of looking at what an accent IS will help. Many people just look at it as "funny voices", but there's a REASON why people speak differently and there's a method to their madness. When you get HOW they're speaking differently from you, you will a} be able to imitate them and b} understand them better. (I don't have trouble with thickly accented actors, while I know people who won't watch Doctor Who because they can't understand the fast-talking English accents. Their loss. Mmmm. Amy Pond.)
*Unless you make professional-level effort into this.
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Here's another thread on this very topic.
I can't do female voices so I don't. Instead I tag my speech with descriptors.
"It's nice of a strapping adventurer like you to show up," she says with a cheeky wink, a cute giggle.
"Stand back, or taste ze edge of my blade," she threatens her sword pointed directly at you, her voice made richer with her Galtan accent.
Some advice is to pick up a movie character or such you like and try to find what is it that makes it sound like that. (I.e. Inigo Montoya from princess bride...check out spaniards...drunks...)
Stand Up Comedy is a great place to get british accents.
Reposted from the other thread:
My best advice, as someone who does audiobooks as a sideline: listen to the best voice actors, and listen to a lot of them. Steal every trick they have, the most pervasive of which is their TOTAL confidence and good cheer, no matter how wild things get.
Some helpful links to videos or podcasts of my favorites.
Peter Sellers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLsVh6Qrpew
John DiMaggio (and others): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBzRmWeC6Ds
Paul F. Tompkins, James Adomian, Andy Daly, and Nick Kroll, all in one show!http://www.earwolf.com/episode/these-times-they-are-a-changin/
(Also, most of the same, plus John Hamm!: http://www.earwolf.com/episode/have-a-merry-christmas/)
A whole mess of people from the L.A. comedy scene, and J. K. Simmons: http://www.nerdist.com/2012/05/thrilling-adventure-hour-70-sparks-nevada-ma rshal-on-mars-the-piano-has-been-thinking/
Good luck, and good voice work!
One of the best ways to pick it up is to practice. In the shower have a conversation between two NPCs, when you're watching TV find an interesting character and try to act like him. See if you can pick up the small things you notice about characters that inspire you. It's not just voices but attitude too, Robert Downy Junior could have a completely different voice and still pull off a great Tony Stark because of how he says stuff, fast, confident, constantly switching gears.
Here's the thing though... if you have roommates they might start giving you funny looks when you start talking to yourselves. Sacrifices must be made though.
PS All my Andorens sound like Kennedys.
Also totally stealing
Voice is an important part of any character I play. Love em. My female voices? I do them but not as well.
Start doing impersonations of actors, speaking lines from your favorite movies. Work on foreign accents too.
My female voices? I do them but not as well.
I have been told those are my best voices... I am a 19 year old guy... Should I be insulted?
Voices and accents are fun, but the most important thing is distinguishing mannerisms as has been mentioned. Some days I only use my normal voice, but the the different words, phrases, and tones.
Everyone loves goblin voices, though. They get the most laughs.
I agree w/others: mannerisms are as important as the voice for NPCs. I have like, 7 good voices I can do and all of them are parody/silly ones: Mr Crabs from Spongebob, Phil Hartman's Ed McMahon, Wild West Prospector and others.
But for example, when speaking as a haughty noble and using the Mr Howell voice from Gilligan's Island not only do I HAVE to speak through clenched teeth to pull it off but then I add something like standing up on tip-toes and looking down at the players or keeping my chin elevated as if speaking over everyone.
Lastly I use voices sparingly, as well as names. Every so often I'll give a random NPC some quirk or identity, but most non-story-impacting NPCs default to "Bob", "Larry" or some other generic name and sound exactly like I do.
As for where I learned these voices? Well, I watch TONS of movies over and over and then memorize the lines, trying to say them as the characters do. Pick an easy one, like Tommy Boy, and try to do Farley as Tommy saying things like "I used to eat bear claws as a kid, 2 at a time, and I'd get 'em lodged in this area RIGHT HERE..."
If you want to do voices pick silly ones and do them over and over until your friends and loved ones are sick of it; then you know you're getting somewhere!
Mine come from movies, anime, television, and games. And the fact that I have dealt with at least one person from each cultural Archetype.
Mark, I have a trio of Goblin Experts made specifically to craft items for my party named Larry, Curly, and Mo. I also have two Fighter City Guards named Biggs & Wedge. Though the last two normally appear twice once under Biggs and Wedge the other time with their parody names from FFXII.
My female voices? I do them but not as well.I have been told those are my best voices... I am a 19 year old guy... Should I be insulted?
Nah, it happens. I'm a 20 year old girl and I'm best at male voices.
Nah, it happens. I'm a 20 year old girl and I'm best at male voices.My female voices? I do them but not as well.I have been told those are my best voices... I am a 19 year old guy... Should I be insulted?
Wow... I guess it is one of those odd skills some people have.
I'm a 38yo dude and my best voice is a screaming girl from any anime.
...wait, did I just say that out loud?
In all seriousness though that brings up a good point that goes along with what a lot of posters are saying here: start silly.
Do your best Leslie Nielsen (we miss you buddy!) for the super-intense inquisitor type. Go watch the trial scenes from the first Heavy Metal cartoon and make your barbarian sound like Hannover Fist (before OR after transformation); for that matter try and get Stern's voice in there for another NPC.
Another tip: listen to google translate and mimic the accent just on words you steal from it. Many "Old Karnoss" words are simply literal translations from Hungarian in my homebrew. One NPC called a PC's father A Bikat (The Bull) back in the day. The father has subsequently been turned into a terrible elk-headed horror in the woods who screams "AAAAA BIKAAAAATTTT!" when angered or charging. I try and mimic the accent from google translate the best I can.
Last but not least...practice. I know it's a weird feeling but talk to yourself. Out loud. I do this exercise from Toastmasters every once in a while in the mirror after a shower. I go over lines a crucial NPC is going to deliver and try to get a feel for how it will look and sound when I deliver them.
Just have fun with it; I think that's the lesson here...
I have a Cavalier whose favorite line is "For FREEDOM!" as he charges ala Braveheart.