The Project

At the end of this course you will have a 2 minute script and at least five original characters from which to build your animation voice-over demo.

We want our strongest character voices to shine through. This course is about discovering and creating those characters.

Who is this class for?

This class is for beginner vocal performers, those thinking about getting into voice overs for animation, and any secret performers out there who want to take a silly acting class from the comfort of their living room.

Why should you take this class?

This course will give you a solid collection of original characters to pull from and modify, so that when you begin auditioning, you have an awareness of your own range and how to expand it.

What supplies will you need?

A smartphone with basic voice recording software. Apps like Voice Memos or Voice Record are fine. You can also use GarageBand or a similar program. If you have a mic set up that’s great, but you don’t need one. We aren’t looking for high quality recording equipment. We are trying to create quality characters and work on your acting skills.

What should students upload to the class project gallery?

A 15-30 second clip of each character speaking original text. To post to the class discussion you will need to create a SoundCloud account to share your voice clips.

Create a free SoundCloud account, make your account private, if you wish, upload the voice file to SoundCloud, and then share the link in the Class Discussion.

Click here for instructions on how to share your voice clips!

We will do this 5x throughout the course. We are building an arsenal of characters, while building awareness of your own voice print, the story it tells, and what kind of characters you would be cast as.

I will also be sharing some insider knowledge based on my 15 years in the animation industry, so that you can avoid some of the mistakes I have made.

1. Intro

Take a listen to the first animation demo I made in 2006. I had no previous animation experience when I made that! I just wanted to sound like I did. It's linked in the Resources section, and below.
Kelly Metzger_Animation Demo_2006

2. The Project : Kelly's Project Sample Script

Princess: “Do you know who I am? My father’s army is already on their way. And he will make you pay dearly.”
Pop Star: “I have no regrets. I wanted everyone to talk about me and my music and it worked. Right now, I have the number one album”
Librarian: “We have a new App for our library system, and you can request any book from any of our branches through the App, and we will bring that book to your local branch. Easy peezey lemon squeezy.”
Monster: The monster has spotted their favorite food. It’s in a difficult to reach spot at the top of a tall tree. They are excited but don’t know how to get up there. They try to climb and jump but they keep falling. Finally, they get their favorite food and devour it. Satisfied sounds as they chew and swallow. They are so exhausted that after their meal they fall asleep and start to snore.
Hero: "Startang we are approaching the Caracole Nebula, do you copy? Startang, come in? Oh No! I’ve lost sight of him. (gasp) What was that?!!! Pull up Pull up!"
Grumpy old lady: “And why shouldn’t I be a bit grumpy. Hmmm? I’ve earned that right. Now you leave me alone. I must...hmmm... feed my cat! Come here Fluffy! Fluffy! Hmmff"
Nerd: “I’ve got my assignment right here...Oh No! My juice box has exploded! My workbook! My design and calculations for my hypersonic jet pack! Waaaaaaaa!”

3. Resonators

Assignment:

Record the lines below in your natural voice print and in one or two "resonators" and then post it to Discussions.
"People are often telling me that I should get into voice overs. I spend many hours just talking to myself in different voices.... whether I'm walking down the street... making dinner...sorting my socks... You can get paid for that?"

Homework

Watch a cartoon series or movie that you have never seen before. Imitate the characters. Are there voices you can do easily? Are there voices that are way outside of your vocal range

4. Accents

I searched YouTube for examples of people speaking accents that I wanted to work on and I encourage you to do that same. I developed a princess character with a British accent, a Miley Cyrus inspired pop star, and a librarian from the Midwest. I listened to the clips and then wrote a few original lines for my character to say.

Princess: “Do you know who I am? My father’s army is already on their way, and he will make you pay dearly.”
Click here to listen to my "Princess" voice clip
Pop Star: “I have no regrets. I wanted everyone to talk about me and my music and it worked. Right now, I have the number one album.”
Click here to listen to my "Pop Star" voice clip
Librarian: “We have a new App for our library system, and you can request any book from any of our branches through the App, and we will bring that book to your local branch. Easy peezey lemon squeezey.”
Click here to listen to my "Librarian" voice clip

Assignment:

Watch a movie or find a clip with a character that has an accent you are trying to learn. Repeat their lines after they speak.
Create a scenario where your character is speaking to someone they either dislike, or are strongly trying to impress. Think about where they are? Does your character have a job? Is their day going well, or is it terrible? Write 2 sentences for your original character, record it on your phone and upload the voice file to the class Discussion.

If writing your own scenario and character lines seems overwhelming, feel free to modify & record my example lines, or you can record this:

"Excuse me, I'm not from here and I was wondering if you could give me directions to the stadium? I'm going to the Poison reunion tour! I'm so excited! Do you know that song, "Unskinny-Bop"?! Love that track. Ooof! What?! Hey! That guy just stole my bag!"

5. Heros

Assignment:

Choose an image from the ones I posted in Resources for this lesson or find your own. Watch some source material for your hero, and then write a couple of high stakes, exciting sentences, inspired by what you have researched. Record it and share it with the class. Oh! And have fun!
If writing your own lines seems overwhelming feel free to record my sample line in your "Hero" voice, or you can record this:
"Its another night in Cityville. Babies are crying, rats are feasting on the garbage, and I'm watching over it all."
Hero: “Startang we are approaching the Caracole Nebula, do you copy? Startang, come in? Oh No! I’ve lost sight of him. (gasp) What was that?!!! Pull up Pull up!”
Click here to listen to my "Hero" voice clip

6. Monsters

Assignment:

Homework:

Still need some more inspiration? Your extra homework this week is to watch Monsters Inc and a few episodes of Centaur World. Notice the sounds the characters make when they aren't speaking words. Try and pick your favorite characters in those movies and imitate them.

7. Nerds

Assigment:

Write a scenario where it seems like your nerdy character's day is going to be perfect, but then something unexpected happens and everything goes wrong. Write 2-3 sentences where your character describes what is happening in the moment. Record that on your phone and post it to the class Discussion. Remember Youtube is a great resource for listening to different types of voices and characters.
Nerd: “I’ve got my assignment right here...Oh No! My juice box has exploded! My workbook! My design and calculations for my hypersonic jet pack! Waaaaaaaa!”
Click here to listen to my "Nerdy Boy" voice clip

Homework:

Listen to and comment on what your classmates have posted so far. Remember we want to be supportive and encouraging.

8. Witches and Wizards

Assignment:

Find resources on Youtube for a Witch, Wizard or Wise Older Teacher. Try to imitate their voice. Using that as inspiration, write a few lines as if your character is speaking to their young student, or the young person that is their enemy. Record and share it!
Grumpy old lady: “And why shouldn’t I be a bit grumpy. Hmmm? I’ve earned that right. Now you leave me alone. I must...hmmm... feed my cat! Come here fluffy! Fluffy! Hmmff"
Click here to listen to my "Grumpy Old Lady" voice clip

9. Conclusion

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope you enjoyed this opportunity to get imaginative and silly. You have created new characters and learned about what types of roles you might be auditioning for.
Please let me know in the class discussion what you are interested in learning next. I hope to play with you again in the future.

Final Assigment:

Edit the mini scripts of your 5-7 new characters into a script that runs no longer than two minutes. Post it to the class discussion, or keep that sweet piece of work to yourself! This field is competitive and you just wrote an original script for your demo! Congratulations!

John McFarlin

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