Shouting for voiceover in video games is a real challenge – however, it is one of the things voice actors get most excited about within the video game genres. Depending on the type of game, shouting can be a very common practice. The same is very much true for anime and some of the skills are interchangeable. If you have not read our article on how to scream for anime , I recommend you do so. In this article, we will look at delivering this style without incurring any damage to your voice. Additionally, we will look at the background of shouting for voiceover in video games along with the best practices. Working hand in hand with shouting is the ability to offer emotes, so please do consider checking out that article too so you are fully equipped for a video game session.
Setting Yourself Up for a Video Game Shouting Voiceover Session
For the benefit of your performance and the efficiency of your vocal cords, drinking plenty of water will always be the first tip. Another basic fundamental would be to ensure you warm up your voice. Additionally, on the subject of warming up, I would advise for a shouting session and extend your usual warm-up duration slightly. This will add that extra element of thoroughness. Many directors, sound engineers, and voice actors gear the session to have a specific format. The format generally will deliver the standard lines earlier on and build up to the more challenging ones. This includes shouting, screaming, emotes, and anything which is a high impact on your vocal cords. If this is not the case, I would advise you to ask if you can do the more strenuous bits at the end of the session.
Voiceover Shouting Delivery Tips and Tricks
Like when a bicep or calf is vigorously and continuously trained at a gym, vocal development is also something that strengthens over time. Should there be any sign of damage, be it blood or a simple tickle, it is important to stop and rest. Failure to do so will make the problem worse. You may incur a longer recovery time and ultimately put you out of work for longer. Find what is comfortable for you with the characters you are taking on. Interchangeably playing with the pitch, tone, and tempo can help until you find one that feels the most comfortable. If you have made one that is hard to maintain, it might be worth developing it further or revisiting it at a later point.
The Video Game Shouting Performance
Unlike within anime, video game shouting usually takes a different direction. Though this is not always the case, commonly video game shouts are not as prolonged and exaggerated as anime. All the same, the ability to encapsulate a truthful, powerful, and genuine performance still stands. Think of a shooter-styled game, if your character got shot in the leg, a subtle whimper will not cut it. Even a standard shout would not cut it. In this instance, agony needs to be achieved. If you do not have your own experience to lean into for this, I highly recommend you push your performance to its limits and maybe even beyond.
Voiceover artists worry about over-performing, especially when they work in other genres such as commercials. This is because everything needs to sound conversational in this genre. The issue with this mindset is that it is hard to break out of. Struggling to achieve the desired shout for a video game can ultimately lead to an elongated session. This in turn, puts further stress on your voice. The last thing you want is for the director to be asking for more from you. To summarize, it is easier to roll your performance back than it is to scale it up, so go into the shout all guns blazing (No pun intended).
Shouting for Voiceover in Video Games by Alan Shires
