0676 – Vocal Exaggeration In Animation

2022.11.07 – 0676 – Vocal Exaggeration In Animation

Vocal exaggeration in animation[1]

You must have the muscular strength to host the vocal gymnasium that is required in animation. Work on the instrument daily to achieve vocal strength.

The voice you use will, for much of the time, be more, well, animated in animation. More ‘over the top’, energetic, projected and with greater variety and intensity. So you need to be physically fit – it’s virtually a sport as you ‘inhabit’ the part. Because you can’t be seen and the portrayal of the characters visually is OTT, your voice has to match that representation.

But you are not just over the top in animation; there still has to be a reality in the exaggeration. That is, your characterisation has to be an authentic exaggeration of emotion from the storyline, and how your character interacts with others. The emotion and energy are big, but it’s still from a believable point. Know how your character feels and thinks, and embody them.

As we have seen before, gesticulation is even more important when people can’t see you. If your character is concerned, then frown, squint, purse your lips and hold your chin or whatever, so the emotion is heard in your line. And if you are not voicing an animation that’s already been drawn, but laying down the soundtrack first, then acting and reacting like this will help give the illustrators something to draw on when they’re drawing.

[1] The story of the Canadian behind the voice of Bugs Bunny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaNO4KykWMY&t=39s

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