In ep 132 of “How Do You Say That?!” sponsored by britishvoiceover.co.uk, Holly Gillanders joins Sam and Mark to talk about creating an informative read versus a storytelling approach, drawing the audience in with a whispered undertone, voicing a phrase in inverted commas and choosing which way to go when there are so many different ways to play a fantasy character. We get over excited with the wildcards, and Sam produces a buzzing creature that'll get you reaching for the fly-swatter!
Our VO question this week is all about how actors form a plan to pivot from stage acting to voice acting.
Get involved! Have you got a Wildcard suggestion that we should try or an idea for the show? Send it to us via Mark or Sam's social media or email it directly to podcast@britishvoiceover.co.uk
Script 1
This is God’s Providence House, tucked just off Holyrood Street. It’s a curious name which came about following the arrival of the Black Plague on the Isle of Wight in 1582. It was the only building in which no one fell ill or died - locals believed the inhabitants had been spared due to 'Gods Providence'.
Rebuilt following a fire in 1699, it’s whispered to be one of the most spiritually active buildings in town.
Staff have reported hearing footsteps pacing above when no one’s there, and one former tenant claimed to see a woman in grey sitting in the corner of a locked room. They say she was knitting.
Script 2
You wish to know where the most huge and fearsome dragon in all the land resides? Ah! A most fascinating question, mortal. The huge and fearsome dragon you speak of resides in the Cathedral of Diamonds.
And now my faithful guards, throw him into the well of death!
Good. It is done. And now I will continue to sit and to wait, in the hope that the day will come when somebody will ask me a question I actually know the answer to. What do you mean ‘we all pray for that day, my lady?’
Half the people who come here ask me about dragons. What’s so great about f*cking dragons? I mean, I don’t have a clue about dragons. Never even seen one. Have you?
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About our guest:
Holly Gillanders grew up in Newark on Trent in Nottinghamshire. She has a degree in English Literature and a background in producing participation projects in the arts with a goal to making ballet, opera, classical music and theatre accessible to all. Theatre has been an interest for Holly since she was at school, but it wasn’t until she volunteered doing props at a local amateur theatre that she decided to try auditioning for a lead acting role and really caught the bug. Holly has performed in many audio dramas for Political Art, Questors Theatre, Evcol Entertainment, Alternative Stories and The Story Hive. In 2024, Holly was shortlisted for the best Best Female Audio Drama performance at the One Voice Awards. She lives in London with her husband, her 3 year old son and giant cat, Heathcliff.
@hollygillandersvo on Instagram
Resources: Click here for the Wildcard Generator and don't forget to think of an action your character can be doing!
Mark's demos & contact details: https://linktr.ee/britishvoiceovermark
Sam's demos & contact details: https://linktr.ee/samanthaboffin