Exploring the Power of Subordinate Images: A Voice Actor’s Journey
Welcome to The Creative Present, where we dive deep into the world of creative self-expression while getting your projects done. I’m Joshua Townshend, your host, and today’s episode is a bit different-one that I’m really excited to share with you.
Recently, I’ve had the privilege of working with a remarkable voice actor. This individual is a seasoned professional with years of experience, an impressive resume, and a voice that’s simply stunning-a natural talent made for voice acting. He’s in demand, regularly requested for jobs, and still auditions as part of his craft.
In one of our early sessions together, I introduced him to a concept that I believe is crucial for any artist-whether you’re an actor, writer, or voice actor. This concept is the subordinate image.
What is a Subordinate Image?
A subordinate image is the image behind the image. It’s the underlying emotion, experience, or thought that feeds you as the artist, informing your work. When you connect with these images, they breathe life into your performance, turning words from mere sounds into meaningful expressions.
Words, by themselves, are neutral. They gain meaning only through the emotions and images we associate with them. For instance, if I say, "I love you" or "I hate you," those phrases hold power only when I imbue them with emotional weight. Even these powerful phrases need to be encoded with something deeper-something more personal.
Let’s take an example: imagine you’re describing a red sports car. The phrase "red sports car" is just a label until you, as the artist, connect with what that red sports car represents to you. Is it a symbol of freedom? Speed? Luxury? Your personal experience with that image will shape how you convey the words, even if the color "red" isn’t explicitly mentioned in your dialogue. The energy, excitement, or whatever emotion "red" evokes for you should be present in your delivery.
The Voice Actor’s Transformation
In our session, I focused on helping the voice actor connect with his subordinate images. After understanding the concept, he went on to record two takes of the same piece of material. The first take was how he would normally approach it-clean, clear, and professional. The second take was after he consciously applied the subordinate image to his performance.
Let’s listen to the first take:
(Audio plays: first take without subordinate image)
This take was flawless in terms of clarity and delivery. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a professional voice actor. But now, let’s listen to the second take, where he applies the subordinate image:
Did you notice the difference? The second take had a richness and depth that wasn’t there in the first. When he said, "I had no idea," or "it was cheap," I could feel the urgency, the underlying emotions that gave those words weight. The words "grain of sand" and "please not now" carried a resonance that wasn’t just heard-it was felt.
A Deeper Connection
The power of the subordinate image is that it allows the artist to create a deeper connection-not just with the material, but with the audience. It’s that sense of reality, the feeling that the person is genuinely experiencing what they’re talking about, that pulls us in.
In this version, the breath had a certain urgency, the word "sand" carried a strong point of view, and "grounded" felt powerful, almost sacred. The word "sweet" had an underlying grace to it. The subordinate image brought these words to life in a way that made the entire piece more vivid, more real.
Why It Matters
Working with the subordinate image is one of many tools you can use as an artist-whether you’re a voice actor, an actor on stage, or a writer crafting a narrative. It’s about going beyond the surface, tapping into a deeper layer of reality that resonates with both the creator and the audience.
This approach isn’t just limited to voice acting. It’s applicable across all forms of creative expression. When you connect with the subordinate images, you’re not just telling a story-you’re inviting your audience to experience it with you, making the connection that transcends time and space.
To close out this episode, I’m going to do something a little different. I’ll play both clips again-first without the subordinate image, and then with it. I invite you to listen closely, and notice how this one technique can transform a performance from good to unforgettable.
Негізгі бет The Image Behind the Image
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