PREPERATION
This is some character work I did before hand. I created a mini profile for my character detailing where she is from her age and her personality.
It is important to prepare like this before doing a radio drama as it will help you build a believable character that will come across believable Vocally.
This is a marked script of the scene my character is in. It is important to mark scripts and make notes on them, this helps with the development of the character and also allows you to try out new ideas when someone suggests them.
Notes on the script can refer to the emotional state of the character, a particular way to say something or accent to use/try.
In order to prepare for my character Natalia I also watched this video
I listened to the different styles of Spanish accent and when for Argentinian as I felt the energy of that accent suited Natalia.
This is one of the scenes from When I lived In Peru, I Play Natalia, one of Claire's friends who she met in Peru, I am married to Simon.
Accent: In the script it states that Natalia has an exotic accent and so I decided to go with a spanish dialect (Argentinian)
I held my accent strong throughout and didn't let it slip. this is essential when doing a character from a different place whether is be by county or country. if you slip up on accent then you will not put on a believable performance.
I use intonation throughout, altering my levels of pitch adding more character to her voice.
'Hello martin' - I started off with a higher pitch and go down to a slightly lower pitch near the end, the pitch at the beginning elevates my voice and makes it sound as though I want to be there.
'It felt so special and humble sitting amongst peasant folk simply taking their chickens to market' - Initially with this line i said it in a way that reflected an unintentional snobbish way, as if I was naive to the notion
However after rehearsing in the studio I got feedback, I was told to try it as though I was trying to overcompensate my wealth, and make myself seem richer than I was. the lines suggest this as an actually rich person is unlikely to refer to someone as peasants.
I felt my use of rhythm and intonation here worked well as the vocals sounded as though they slowed down slightly with more of an emphasis on some of the words, trying to show off and make sure Martin thinks I am wealthy.
Age: mid-30s
In the script it states that Natalia is in her mid-30's, I felt I was able to sound quite mature and was able to vocally portray the age well mostly
there were moments where when I was excited I could have added a bit more maturity into my vocals in order to sound slightly older.
In this scene I am a travel agent.
My character is bored, disinterested and fed up, not wanting to deal with customers for long.
Accent: Initially I tried my own accent for this, still in a fed up way. however I got feedback asking if I could try out this accent in stead a cockney like accent. At first I was stuck on how exactly to do the accent, however my fellow actor helped me by giving me an example and I was able to use that in order to re-create my character a bit.
I kept my accent strong throughout not breaking out of it, while still keeping the attitude my character has.
'So you'd liked to book a flight' the so at the beginning is slightly elongated, suggesting that she has been with Martin a long time already, the tone of her voice is slightly fed up as though she is going through the information again going slowly to piece together what Martin had asked her.
'Could you maybe pick a hemisphere' - the voice drops through the question and the use of levels I used a questioning and slightly pleading tone because I just want him to leave already and I seem to be getting no where.
'that's a mountain' - while going through things to do in Tanzania, this line is said with a tone of complete disinterest and boredom, showing how little my character cares at this point and that she doesn't want to be there.
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