How To Master The Art of Voiceover Storytelling

Anne Ganguzza
17 hours ago
4 min read

with Lau Lapides

BOSS Anne Ganguzza is joined by Lau Lapides for a discussion on the most fundamental skill for a successful voice actor: storytelling. From breaking out of a predictable melody to using props and sensory cues, Anne and Lau provide actionable tips and acting techniques to help you bring authenticity, emotion, and life to every script.

Storytelling techniques for voice actors are essential for success. In this episode, Anne Ganguzza and Lau Lapides share practical exercises to break out of boring, melodic reads and find your authentic voice. Discover the power of props, improv, and sensory cues to bring any script to life.

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Chapter Summaries

Break the "By Rote" Melody

(02:15) Lau introduces an exercise to break out of predictable vocal patterns: take a familiar piece of text like "Mary Had a Little Lamb" or "The Pledge of Allegiance" and re-read it in a completely different way. The goal is to undo the melody you learned by rote and find a new, authentic point of view, a crucial step for all storytelling techniques for voice actors.

The Power of a Different Audience

(04:04) The hosts discuss how the audience's perspective can completely change a read. The bosses recommend trying different scenarios and audiences to find new interpretations of a script. Lau suggests experimenting with singing, rapping, or staccato delivery to break habitual vocal and breath patterns.

Using Physicality and Props

(08:42) Anne highlights how physical actions can instantly shift emotion. She suggests using gestures, like holding your heart, to access a particular point of view. Lau adds that using physical props—like a stuffed animal or even a cup of coffee—can help create a scene in your mind and awaken your imagination, directly translating into a more compelling performance.

Engaging the Senses

(11:12) The conversation delves into the importance of engaging all five senses, plus the "sixth sense" of intuition and energy. The hosts explain how sensory details, such as the smell of a diffuser or the feeling of a material, can help an actor connect to a character and a scene, providing more layers and dimensions to the storytelling.

From Conversation to Script

(18:47) Anne and Lau discuss the power of using real-life conversation to inform your reads. The bosses suggest telling a story to a friend or an animal and then launching into the script to capture the same authentic, conversational energy. This practice helps to transition from natural speech to scripted performance, making it feel less like a "read" and more like a genuine conversation.

Improv and Subtext: The Storyteller's Toolkit

(21:51) The hosts explore the vital role of improv and subtext in script analysis. The bosses explain that these techniques help voice actors understand the deeper meaning of the words and connect emotionally to the copy. This allows the performer to internalize the story first and then "plug in the words," rather than simply reading them aloud.

Top 10 Takeaways for Voice Actors:

Break the Melody: Challenge yourself to reinterpret familiar text to escape predictable rhythms and cadences.
Change Your Audience: Imagine speaking to different people (a child, a friend, a boss) to unlock new delivery styles.
Move Your Body: Use physical gestures and emotion-driven movements to inform your vocal performance.
Use Props: Utilize physical objects in your booth to help create a scene and spark your imagination.
Engage Your Senses: Think about what your character sees, smells, or feels to add depth and authenticity to your read.
Find the Conflict: Identify the central problem or "conflict" in a script to understand its purpose and storytelling arc.
Improv and Subtext are Key: Use improv techniques and subtext to understand the "why" behind the words and connect to the script on a deeper level.
Voice, Don't Read: Shift your mindset from "reading" a script to "voicing" a story. You are an interpreter, not just a reader.
Capture Your Authentic Self: Use real-life conversations as a practice tool to bring a natural, conversational feel to your reads.
The Booth is a Playground: Don't be afraid to take risks and have fun with your reads. Playfulness often leads to the most memorable performances.

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