47: Intentions Require Physical Action.
Real Talking Tips 47 is the second part of my Elaine A. Clark – Making It M.I.N.E.® series on how to add depth and subtext to speech, presentations, podcasts, and voice-over recordings.
INTENTIONS are the ACTIONS a speaker uses to ensure a “win”. Movements can be the gestures we worked on in the Real Talking Tips episodes 27 – 37 Word Emphasis series and provided in my interactive Adding Melody To Your Voice app. Intentions can also be an awareness of a subconscious movement so the speaker can consciously and strategically use those actions.
The manner in which the INTENTION words are spoken adds new and varied colors to the speaking voice. Intentions are also tied in to the Motivation, the first letter in the M-I-N-E method that we just worked on in Real Talking Tips Episode 46.
You can find more information about my Elaine A. Clark Making It M.I.N.E.® method in my book, There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is and on my on my website – ElaineClarkVO.com/podcast.
Practice along with the Real Talking Tips videos, audio podcast, this blog, my Elaine Clark apps – Adding Melody To Your Voice and Activate Your Voice plus my best selling Elaine A. Clark books, There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is and Voice-Overs for Podcasting.
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47: Intentions Require Physical Action.
Real Talking Tips 47 is the second of four Making It M.I.N.E.® episodes on adding depth and subtext to speech, presentations, podcasts, and voice-over recordings. We began with MOTIVATION and how a specific memory and physical reaction can jumpstart the speaker’s message and grab the listener’s attention.
INTENTIONS are the ACTIONS a speaker uses to ensure a “win”. And because intentions are actions, they require movement. The movements can be the gestures we worked on in the Real Talking Tips episodes 27 – 37 Word Emphasis series and in my Adding Melody To Your Voice app. Intentions can also be an awareness of a subconscious movement so the speaker can consciously and strategically use it.
I: Intentions need ACTION!
The second letter in my Elaine A. Clark Making It M.I.N.E.® system is the letter I… which stands for Intentions. These are things you intend to do, aim to achieve, or plan to do. Therefore, the manner in which the words are portrayed adds new and varied colors to the speaking voice.
Intention words can go up, down, out, in, shine, twinkle, and swirl. They take the listener from one place to another. That’s why I’m a huge advocate for opposing hand and body movements and gestures. It’s like you’re receiving news and throwing the next bit of information out.
Follow along with the movements of these examples as I preface each intention word with the phrase: “I intend to…”. To achieve maximum effectiveness, the intention movement should land on the intention word – not before or after the word. It’s really a matter of coordination.
For example, if my intention is ‘to alarm’, I might gesture to myself in the first part of the sentence “I intend to…” and change tempo and movement with my other hand when I say ‘alarm.’
Example: I intend to… ALARM!
In this next section, get ready to practice more intention words.
Intentions are Actions a Speaker Uses to ‘Win’.
When incorporating intentions into speech, think about how the previous information is received and how the intention word or phrase responds, adds additional value, or changes direction. Intentions are also tied in to motivation that we just worked on in Real Talking Tips Episode 46.
Intentions also have movement, which relates directly to the specific Word Emphasis movements from Real Talking Tips Episodes 27 – 37 and my Elaine Clark Adding Melody To Your Voice app. We explored various Word Emphasis movements and gestures to externally deliver the desired spoken result. Now, we’re tying the external movement together with the subconscious or deliberate intention actions.
There’s an improv exercise called “Sound Ball.” A sound is received from one person and a different sound is sent out to another person. This is a form of “vocal gestures”. It’s like catching a ball and throwing it.
To illustrate this action of receiving and throwing words, we’ll preface each intention with the phrase: “I intend to…”. Then, the intention word is vocally thrown in a different direction that matches the purpose and intent.
INTENTION PRACTICE:
Say the phrase “I intend to…” as you gesture inward with one hand. Then, using the other hand, throw the individual intention words in the opposite direction.
I intend to… soothe.
I intend to… revitalize.
I intend to… demand.
I intend to… urge.
I intend to… mystify.
Each of these intention words has a different movement and feeling.
– Soothe was a gentle movement like gently patting an animal.
– Revitalize was an upward movement with a little jazz hand wiggle.
– Demand was a closed fisted downward gesture.
– Urge was a gentle gesture inward.
– Mystify was an upward half circle arc.
I: Here’s your INTENTION assignment.
1. Using the list of intention words in my book, There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is… or other word intentions you wish to practice, move your hands and body to explore the optimal action that fits each intention.
2. Roll your eyes, shake your head, shrug your shoulders, or smirk on the phrase “I intend to…”. Then change your body movement and gesture on the intention word so it has a different action and tempo.
For example: I intend to… Stop!
3. Record yourself and listen back.
We’ll continue the Making it M.I.N.E.® Elaine A. Clark system in Real Talking Tips Episode 48 as we we focus on the speaker’s and audience’s need.
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