AP Voice Acting

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on advanced voice acting techniques for film and television.

What is character backstory?

The history, motivations, personality traits, and relationships that inform a character's behavior and guide performance.

What are motivations in character development?

What drives a character's actions and decisions.

What are personality traits in the context of a character?

The character's strengths, weaknesses, and quirks shaping behavior.

How are relationships defined for a character?

How the character interacts with others and the dynamics between them.

What are vocal subtleties?

Subtle vocal cues (tone, pitch, pace, volume) used to convey emotion and intention.

How is tone defined in vocal performance?

The overall color or quality of the voice conveying emotions.

What is pitch in vocal performance?

The highness or lowness of the voice used to convey excitement, nervousness, or authority.

What is pace in vocal performance?

The speed of speech signaling urgency, excitement, or boredom.

What is volume in vocal performance?

The loudness or softness of the voice used to convey confidence, fear, or intimacy.

What is vocal placement?

Where sound is produced in the mouth, nose, or sinuses, affecting timbre.

How are accent and dialect used in character voice?

Regional or cultural speech patterns used to create a unique voice for a character.

What are idioms and colloquialisms?

Regional expressions that add flavor and authenticity to speech.

What are vocal mannerisms?

Habitual vocal traits such as stuttering or vocal fry that define a character.

What is involved in mastering accents and dialects?

Techniques to learn, maintain, and apply accents and dialects in performance.

How does one research for accents and dialects?

Listening to native speakers and studying media to understand the target accent.

How important is practice for accents and dialects?

Regular rehearsal, including recording and self-review to improve accuracy.

What role does coaching play in mastering accents and dialects?

Working with a dialect coach for feedback and guidance.

What is immersion in the context of learning accents and dialects?

Surrounding oneself with the target language environment to internalize it.

What is improvisation?

The ability to respond spontaneously to unexpected situations and keep performance authentic.

What are some improvisation strategies?

Methods like listening, Yes, and…, staying present, and taking risks to enhance spontaneity.

What does 'listening' mean in improvisation?

Actively hearing other actors and responding truthfully to the scene.

Explain the 'Yes, and…' principle in improvisation.

Agreeing with others and adding to the scene instead of blocking.

What does 'staying present' mean in improvisation?

Maintaining focus on the moment to support natural performance.

What does 'taking risks' involve in improvisation?

Being willing to try new choices to enrich authenticity, even if uncertain.

How does one balance scripted and improvised elements?

Integrating prepared lines with spontaneous input while staying true to the character.

Why is 'understanding the script' important for improvisation?

Deep comprehension of the script and the character's role to identify improv opportunities.

Why is collaborating with the director important for improvisation?

Working with the director to ensure improvisation aligns with the creative vision.

What is the director's vision?

The goals and guidance the director provides for a performance.

What is 'feedback' from a director?

Notes from the director used to adjust and refine performance.

What is the voice acting workflow?

The end-to-end process from preparation to final recording guiding a voice acting project.