Vocal Dynamics

There are two strands to vocal technique, the technical side and the acting side.
Both must exist for an actor to successfully deliver a line.

The Technical Components

All actors must use the following skills to ensure they are heard and understood.
No matter how good an actor is, if the audience cannot hear or understand
them, they may as well not be performing at all! For this reason, you should be
aware of these techniques in your practical work, but you do not need to
mention them in your exam as the examiner will assume the actor you are
talking about will always ensure these technical components are in place.
PROJECTION- Ensuring your voice fills the space so the audience can hear you.
This is not the same as volume, which is counted as one of the acting
components (see below).
ARTICULUATION- Ensuring you are speaking clearly and enunciating properly so
the audience understand what you are saying.
BREATHING- Ensuring your breath is dropping down into your diaphragm and
not being snatched in around your throat as this will cause damage to your vocal
folds.

The Acting Components

This is the colour actors add to their voice when delivering lines to allow the
audience to understand how their character is feeling and what their character
wants. These terms are the ones you should aim to use during your prep this
week and in your GCSE Exam.
PACE- How fast or slow you choose to deliver a line. For example, delivering a
line with a fast pace may make you sound excited, or scared.
RHYTHM- The beat with which you choose to deliver your line. For example, if
your character is upset you may choose to use a broken rhythm to show they are
unable to think straight.
PITCH- How high or low your voice is. For example, using a low pitch may create
a sombre, dangerous atmosphere whereas using a high pitch will make your
character sound young or excited.

VOLUME- How loud or quiet your voice is. Remember you must always be
projecting, even if you decide to drop the volume to show your character is
scared, your lines must still be audible to the audience.
PAUSE- Allowing a moment of silence within your dialogue. This is a very
powerful tool for an actor, it can be used to show they are thinking of what to say
next, perhaps because its difficult to say or they are confused? It can also be
used to build dramatic tension.
EMPHASIS- Stressing a particular word in the sentence to change its meaning.
TONE- The spin an actor adds to their voice to show how their character feels.
For example, you can use a happy tone of voice, a sarcastic tone, an angry
tone etc.