This rich and informative discussion, hosted by Siobhan (Youth Ambassador and Workshop Director at Fishpond), featured voice and accent coach Nick Di Cola. Nick shared his journey into voice coaching, insights into dialects, phonetics, and vocal performance, and the evolving nature of the industry post-SAG-AFTRA strike. He emphasized the importance of curiosity, preparation, and adaptability for actors, particularly in voiceover work. The conversation also touched on trends like vertical video storytelling and concluded with practical advice for actors navigating auditions, warm-ups, and career development.
Date Wednesday 5th June 2024
FP Host Siobhán Aislinn
Guest Nick Di Cola
Key Takeaways on Voice Work
1. Accent & Dialect Training
• Curiosity is your greatest tool: Listen actively and explore why accents sound the way they do.
• Consistency beats perfection: A slightly “off” accent is forgivable but an inconsistent one is not.
• Use a reference voice: Choose an actor or real person as your model for new accents.
• “If you’re going to do it wrong, do it wrong and strong.”
2. Phonetics: To Learn or Not?
• Phonetics helps but isn’t essential: If it suits your learning style, it’s powerful. If not, impressions and mimicry work too.
• Custom notations are fine: Develop your own shorthand if IPA feels too technical.
• “It’s just like learning a new vocabulary.”
3. Voiceover Careers
• Start simple: A decent mic and quiet space can launch a voice career. Many actors began on Fiverr.
• Home studio = industry standard: Most VO jobs expect you to have one now.
• Explore different VO styles: Animation, narration, commercial – each demands different vocal qualities.
• “It just takes one job for the investment to pay off.”
4. Know Your Voice
• You have multiple vocal ‘selves’: Comforting, brassy, authoritative – learn to tap into each.
• Listen to feedback: How others describe your voice is often accurate and useful.
• Practice emotional flexibility: A good accent with no emotional truth will fall flat.
• “No voice is consistent all the time.”
5. Warming Up & Technique
• Start with body and breath: Stretch, breathe, and release tension before you speak.
• Use Jeannette Nelson’s warm-ups (National Theatre) as a great all-rounder.
• Tailor to the job: Warm up differently depending on whether you’re narrating, shouting, or whispering.
• “Your vocal system is a muscle group – treat it like one.”
6. Auditioning with Accents
• Be honest on your CV: Don’t list accents unless you can drop into them on demand.
• Use a “trigger phrase”: One memorised line can help you snap into accent under pressure.
• Mention your commitment: If you’re new to an accent, tell casting how you plan to get performance-ready.
• “Casting directors understand fast turnarounds. Just be clear about your range and prep plan.”
7. Industry Trends
• Vertical storytelling is rising: TikTok-style short films are filmed vertically, low-budget, and quick-turnaround.
• New platforms = new work: These productions offer fast, accessible opportunities for actors post-strike.
• Performance, not polish: These stories are about emotional satisfaction – not perfect production.
• “It’s not the art – it’s the experience that matters in these formats.”
8. Post-Strike Industry Shifts
• Budgets are tighter: Voice coaches are now often considered a “luxury” rather than a necessity.
• Be self-reliant: Come accent-ready to set when possible.
• Training continues off-set: Even when productions pause, keep working on your voice and skills.
• “You should always try to prepare earlier rather than later – if you have that luxury.”
Memorable Quotes
“Wrong and strong.”
– On committing fully to an accent, even if it’s imperfect.
“No voice is consistent all the time.”
– A reminder that our voices change throughout the day and that’s okay.
“If you don’t mind listening to yourself, voiceover presents a lot of opportunity.”
– On embracing your own voice as a creative tool.
“Curiosity is the best tool an actor can have.”
– Encouraging exploration over perfection in voice and dialect work.
“You can justify variation but you can’t justify inconsistency.”
– On why consistency matters more than accuracy in accents.
“Your vocal system is a muscle group so treat it like one.”
– A clear case for warming up and regular vocal care.
“It’s not the art of the production – it’s the satisfaction of having something to watch.”
– On the rise of vertical storytelling and fast content.
“An actor should always try to prepare earlier rather than later if they have that luxury.”
– On proactive preparation in today’s tighter production schedules.