Mastering Acting for Voice Actors

Anne Ganguzza
3 hours ago
3 min read

with Melique Berger

BOSSes, Anne Ganguzza is joined by the incomparable Melique Berger, a true icon in the voiceover world with over 50 years of acting experience. In this powerful conversation, they explore the central truth of the industry: a voice actor must be an actor first.

Watch the Story Unfold ⬇️

For an even deeper dive into the conversation and to watch the bosses interact, you can view the full episode above! Don't forget to subscribe to the VO Boss YouTube channel for more exclusive content and expert advice!

Chapter Summaries

The Evolution of the Industry

(02:37) Melique Berger shares her perspective on the evolution of the voiceover industry, expressing excitement about the increased opportunities for diversity. She reflects on her long career and highlights how the industry has become more inclusive, a change she and others worked hard to bring about.

Be an Actor First

(07:09) Melique emphasizes that acting for voice actors has nothing to do with the voice itself; it's about acting. She advises aspiring voice actors to study acting, improv, movement, and stagecraft, calling voiceover the "truest form of acting."

The Power of Personal Experience

(22:46) The hosts discuss using personal pain and life experiences to inform performances. Melique explains that her past is everything to her present work, and Anne shares a personal story about how a health issue transformed her as an actor. They stress that the willingness to emotionally connect to a script is key to a compelling performance.

Reading vs. Singing the Song

(16:02) Melique, a singer, explains that she sees every script as a song. The hosts distinguish between a simple "read" (just saying the words) and "singing the song" (infusing the words with emotion, heart, and soul). This is a crucial concept for transforming a flat delivery into an engaging voice performance.

An Uninvited Guest

(14:04) Melique uses the powerful analogy that in a commercial, you are an "uninvited guest" in the listener's ear. She explains that this means you must be interesting, have a point of view, and contribute something of value to the story to keep the audience engaged.

Melique's "Fluke" That Started It All

(16:50) Melique recounts the story of how she stumbled into voiceover as a young, angry punk rocker. While doing a partner read for a friend, she booked three national spots in 72 hours. This "fluke" taught her that she could be her authentic self and still have a successful career.

Theater of the Mind

(27:57) Melique introduces her "Theater of the Mind" technique, a three-stage method for breaking down a script. This technique involves using an "Art of the Pivot" to change proximity and character perspectives to bring words to life and create a dynamic voice performance.

Top 10 Takeaways for Voice Actors:

Be an Actor First: Focus on studying acting, improv, and stagecraft. Your voice will follow your performance.
Embrace Your Personal Story: Your past experiences and emotions are powerful tools for connecting with a script and delivering an authentic performance.
Don't Just Read, Sing the Song: Infuse every script with heart and soul, transforming a flat read into a compelling, emotional "song."
Practice is Non-Negotiable: Like an instrument, your voice acting craft requires constant practice and training to stay sharp.
Confidence is Key: Believe in yourself and your choices. Casting directors can hear confidence in your delivery.
Find the Story in the Silence: The most important moments often happen in between the words, commas, and periods. Acting is reacting to those moments.
Be an Uninvited Guest: In a commercial, you have to be interesting, have a point of view, and contribute something of value to the story.
Honor Your Craft: Be grateful for every job and audition. Honor the opportunity by giving it your best, most authentic work.
Don't Quit: The only people who don't succeed are those who quit. Resilience and persistence are paramount.
Embrace Your Authenticity: Melique's journey proves that your unique identity and background are not obstacles, but your greatest strengths.

Referenced in this Episode

Work with Anne>>

Learn more about Melique>>

Love the episode? Let our listeners hear from you!

ADD YOUR VOICE

Anne Ganguzza - female voice talent with blond hair, black glasses and red lipstick. She is smiling at the camera and wearing blue headphones.

More from Anne Ganguzza

She's a powerhouse voice talent, producer, and host. Book time with Anne to get your voiceover career in gear or focus on a specific genre. Catch her each week on VO BOSS or register for an event on VOPeeps.com >>