Hey everyone,
It should be noted that I'm fairly green. I was recently filming opposite of an actor from LA who has been in some legit films out there. I was, at the time, annoyed that he spoke so softly while filming an argument. Then, I was on set of a Netflix series and the fairly large name actors did the same.
Have I missed something integral here? I'm loud by nature, should I be working on enunciating while talking just above an actual whisper?
Thanks for the feedback.
Interesting question! I had wondered the same thing! Im sometimes told to speak louder so when I saw this first time I was really stumped. My initial thought was it had something to do with the type of equipment used
It depends how it's being recorded. In post I find that the quality of the audio often depends on how close the mic is to the person speaking. So in a close up you can get a quieter performance because the mic is close. That's assuming you're using a boom of course. A lav that's being closely monitored can do well with lower levels too.
Both actors had body mics, and there was one boom. They tried to keep the boom really close to the guy because I don't think they could get his body mic up high enough without being noticed.
(I prefer to talk normally, but it really messes with the sound if you are normal volume and someone else is soft spoken and the energy of the two actors should match.)
2 people like this
I would check with both the director AND the sound guy/girl. The director is of course a given. if he/she can't hear you they'll say so. But the sound guy/girl is the best judge of what's actually getting recorded. Plus he/she will be so stoked that you asked for his/her opinion that he/she will never forget you and will want to work with you again.
2 people like this
Enunciation is always something that actors should work on. I am in the same boat, I have a loud speaking voice by habit ( blame it on theater and being a bartender for 5 years when you have to talk above everything). I worked with a boom for the first time and the director told me a couple times that I didn't have to talk so loud. I have watched videos where acting coaches have told people to speak softer, but not lose the intensity of the performance and internalize it more. Like the above comments, it may take a couple times to get the feel of the sound equipment to get it right.
1 person likes this
In theater (without mics), it's the actors job to reach the audience's ears. In film, it's the sound department's job to record your voice. Of course, if everyone talked in loud conversational volumes, you'd make the sound department's job super easy. But it doesn't happen that way. Since the camera picks up every single little nuance that an actor does, it's almost always the case that "less is more".
When your role is an under-5 like a waiter, then just speak at your conversational tone. Like I said before, the sound department will love you for it. But if your character drives a scene, especially from an emotional standpoint, that's when it's time to really do some work in finding the truth of your character, and let the performance come from within. Don't do anything more than is truthful. Don't gesticulate, mug, or raise your volume to get your point across. Simplicity is key, which results in a lot of "whisper-y" actors.
There's more to unpack here, but that's my perspective in a nutshell...
2 people like this
What you need to focus on is the feelings of the scene. Great actors are cinematic. This means that they know how to portray the emotion of the scene in such a way that it pulls the audience in through the lens of the camera. Anyone can yell. An argument can be portrayed many ways. Often, soft speech filled with intense emotion is more effective on camera.
The director will have a vision of how he or she wants that portrayed. Our job is to give the director that version.
2 people like this
In my opinion: if the sound man/lady is worth their weight---they will adjust the mics to your performance. So don't worry about your volume is that aspect. If you're working with fairly inexperienced sound ops ask them if your levels are ok. If you have that big projecting voice from years of theater---it's hard to shake off. I started in the theater myself and have a rather big voice. But as far as a performance choice, feel the tone of the character as well as the piece. It's a choice to argue in a hushed tone. What does that mean? What does that translate to in cinematic language? There are many different ways to do a scene, to interpret it.
If you're on set and worrying about your volume, that's self analyzing and that can get in the way of a good performance because you won't be present, in the moment. So just let a rip when your doing a scene. If you need to be taken down, the director or sound op will letcha know!
However, if you are in an argument and being a bit quieter make sure it's motivated. Don't rely on tricks. "Oh, I'm going to whisper this argument so I will appear to be interesting." That's not acting, that's performance BS!
My last tip: Practice is the way to answer your questions. Perform as much as possible. Experiment. Make short videos, record monologues. Figure out how you appear on camera and on mic. And take voice classes (not singing) to work the vocals and gain more range.
Good luck!
Hi been in the same boat as @Madeline. Many times been told i have loud voice in pedestrian life, cos theatre speech is different. Can remember always had to breathe inwards and upwards through diaphragm on stage so sound was stronger upon expelling breath. Also applied this tactic when did bar supervising as student. Im trying to learn about sound in film because when directing i automatically assume "The Gadgets" are hearing exactly the same as my human ear. Probably not.
@Stephen. I agree that self analysis on stage/film can break the flow of natural performance because it ruins the moment of what may have been a great performance. Be the character. An actor should be guided by director and technical team.
1 person likes this
To add to above. I have a sound team when doing shorts but i would like to know myself what its all about, and how its all done scientifically. Machines and Gadgets and how they impact on the end result.
the best "camera" advice I ever got was: Let the camera come to u. in other words, in film/tv the camera and the microphone do the work of capturing everything you do so you don't have to do as much as you do in theater.