Episode 8
th
26 March 2013
Activity
Voice Artists
Key Learning
Students will learn about the art of voice acting. Students will write a script for an animation and then practice
voice acting exploring the effects of changing voice tone, volume, pitch and pace.
The Australian Curriculum
English / Literacy / Interacting with others
English / Literacy / Creating texts
Use interaction skills such as acknowledging another’s point of
view and linking students’ response to the topic, using familiar
and new vocabulary and a range of vocal effects such as tone,
pace, pitch and volume to speak clearly and
coherently (ACELY1688)
Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and
persuasive texts containing key information and supporting
details for a widening range of audiences, demonstrating
increasing control over text structures and language
features (ACELY1694)
Use interaction skills, for example paraphrasing, questioning
and interpreting non-verbal cues and choose vocabulary and
vocal effects appropriate for different audiences and
purposes (ACELY1796)
Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and
persuasive print and multimodal texts, choosing text
structures, language features, images and sound appropriate
to purpose and audience (ACELY1704)
Use interaction skills, varying conventions of spoken
interactions such as voice volume, tone, pitch and pace,
according to group size, formality of interaction and needs and
expertise of the audience(ACELY1816)
Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and
persuasive texts, choosing and experimenting with text
structures, language features, images and digital resources
appropriate to purpose and audience (ACELY1714)
Use interaction skills when discussing and presenting ideas
and information, selecting body language, voice qualities and
other elements, (for example music and sound) to add interest
and meaning (ACELY1804)
Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and
persuasive texts, selecting aspects of subject matter and
particular language, visual, and audio features to convey
information and ideas (ACELY1725)
Discussion Questions
1. Briefly summarise the Voice Artists story in your own words.
2. What is a voice actor?
3. What animation does Tash practise her voice acting on?
a. Figaro Pho
b. Shrek
c. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
4. What is a scratch vocal track?
5. Complete this sentence. Voice acting is not as easy as it looks, you need to become the ___________
6. What are some of the skills that you need to be a good voice actor?
7. What sort of work do voice actors do?
8. Describe what it is like behind the scenes for a voice actor.
9. Illustrate an aspect of this story.
10. List three of your favourite animated characters. Find out who provided their voices.
©ABC 2013
Activities
Practice voice acting: Figaro Pho
After watching the BtN Voice Artists story, provide students with the opportunity to practice voice acting.
1. As a class watch the Figaro Pho animation used by Tash in the BtN story. Go to the Voice Artists
story on the BtN website to watch the animation. http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3720549.htm
2. In groups of 3 or 4, ask students to practice voice acting using the animation. Ask students to
consider – voice pitch, tone and volume.
Tips on voice acting
Keep the character ‘active’ – think about what the character is doing or feeling in this moment.
Exaggerate and animate your voice – project a larger than life image with your voice.
Expression and imagination – connect your body and energy to the voice. Show how the
character is feeling by showing expression as you voice act. For example, if the character is
angry show an angry face. Use your imagination!
Practice – getting the right voice may not come in one shot.
Articulation – is your voice clear and easy to understand?
Investigate other animations
Pick out excerpts from your student’s favourite animations, for example Shrek or Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and
watch as a class. Ask students to think about the process of voice acting as they watch the animations.
Can you guess who the voice actors are in the animation?
How have they used their voice to represent the character’s feelings?
Develop and write a script
Students will develop and write their own scripts for an animation (animation provided on the BtN Voice
Artists page http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3720549.htm).
1. As a class watch the animation without sound.
2. Ask students to describe the animation, including the characters, action and scenery. As students
describe the animation write their responses on the interactive whiteboard. Ask clarifying questions if
student’s responses are not clear. Repeat this process to gain a more comprehensive description.
3. Working in groups of 2-4, students will work collaboratively to write their own scripts for the
animation. Students will practice voice acting using their scripts and then produce their own
soundtrack including their voices and sound effects.
4. What is the story about? Ask students to talk about how the story is structured (setting the scene,
problem or issue, then resolving or addressing the issue). Below are some discussion starters for
your students.
©ABC 2013
What is the story about?
What is your story going to be about?
Is there a hero or heroine? Who are the other characters? It may be helpful to write a
character profile for each of the characters in the animation. Use the student activity sheet
(which can be found either at the end of this document or on the BtN website
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3720549.htm) to help write your character profiles.
Is there a disaster happening in the story? Do any of the characters face any problems or
conflict? Think about giving your hero/heroine a problem to solve.
What is your story climax? This is the high point of the film and addresses the conflict or
problem.
5. How to write a script. Once students have discussed the structure of their script they will then need
to write the script. Below are some steps on how to write a script.
How to write a script
Use dot points to start writing your script. Each dot point could explain each scene in the
animation.
Add detail to your script by adding the dialogue (your voice) and sound effects.
It is important that you use screenplay conventions when writing your script. Microsoft Office
Word has a screenplay template you can use. http://office.microsoft.com/enus/templates/results.aspx?qu=screenplay&ex=1&origin=EC010141330#ai:TC102805802
Ask your teacher or another student to read your draft script to check that it reads
clearly/makes sense and that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes.
Make any amendments or corrections to your script.
For a more detailed look at how to write a script visit this website:
 http://www.creative-writing-now.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay.html
Producing a soundtrack
1. Ask students to practice their voice acting using their own scripts. Students will need to consider
timing and the skills required when voice acting. Refer students to the voice acting tips at the
beginning of this activity.
2. Students will record their voices. Below are some steps on how to create a sound recording.
Steps to create a sound recording
Make sure you have the required hardware and software – you will need a computer or
Smartphone with a microphone and software such as the free Audacity (PC or Mac)
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/. Some Mac’s come with GarageBand
http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/
Rehearse the content of your script. Make sure you choose a quiet place to record your voice.
Learn how to project into a microphone – try not to speak too closely to the microphone
otherwise your voice may become distorted.
Record your voice. Create and save an audio file, usually in mp3 format.
©ABC 2013
3. If your student’s scripts contain sound effects encourage them to make their own and then record
using the Steps to create a sound recording as per the above.
Refer students to the following website for free sound samples
 http://generator.acmi.net.au/library/category/sounds
Refer students to the following websites for tips on sound effects:
 http://www.abc.net.au/rollercoaster/rollermache/sound.htm
 http://www.songroomlive.com.au/explore/making-media-easy/add-sound-to-your-animation
Send your audio recording to BtN
Send your completed voice recordings into BtN so that it can be uploaded on to the BtN website. Email your
audio mp3 files to [email protected].
Further Investigation
Make your own cartoon! Jeff Kinney, illustrator of Diary of a Wimpy Kid,
shows in this video how to draw the character of Greg Heffley.
http://www.wimpykid.com/videos/
Practise vocal projection with the Shakespeare insult generator.
http://www.weheartdrama.com/394/practise-vocal-projection-with-the-shakespeareinsult-generator/. Take this activity further using BtN’s Shakespeare in School activity.
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3707999.htm
 Related Research Links
OZ Comic Con – OZ Comic Con
http://www.ozcomiccon.com/
ABC3 Figaro Pho – Figaro Pho
http://www.abc.net.au/abc3/adventuresoffigaropho/
Creative writing Now – How to write a screenplay
http://www.creative-writing-now.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay.html
We Heart Drama – Practise Vocal Projection with the Shakespeare Insult Generator
http://www.weheartdrama.com/394/practise-vocal-projection-with-the-shakespeare-insult-generator/
Raise your voice acting – What is the history of voice over?
http://raiseyourvoiceacting.com/2012/04/09/what-is-the-history-of-voice-over/
©ABC 2013
©ABC 2013