Analyzing The Script To Improve The Nuances Of Vocal Performance
While Artificial Intelligence can copy the way a specific person’s voice sounds, it is currently not capable of realistically portraying many of the nuances that a human voice can.
Amongst those is capturing the subtext of vocals, e.g., pitches or volumes, which can suggest various emotions that contradict the meaning of words spoken. Such emotions can mean that the spoken things are sarcasm, or that the speaker is feeling positive or negative feelings while saying them. Also, various timing-related factors can similarly reveal that the speaker is feeling unsure, or thoughtful, for example, when pausing silence or taking a long breath in between the words spoken.
Human voice actors can improve this aspect while working on the scripts of their vocal performances by asking questions that can uncover more underlying motives and inner feelings of their characters, which go beyond just words. Despite Artificial Intelligence-powered technology's ability to replicate a voice in order to recite the text from a script, voice actors have the advantage of further analyzing, researching, and interpreting the material to deliver a more authentic and layered vocal performance in a way only humans can.
Improving The Voice Acting Performance On The Spot
While working with the script to deliver voice performances, actors can use their ability to improvise to improve the phrasing and lines in order for the vocals to flow better and sound more realistic. Even if an Artificial Intelligence tool is replicating the respective voice actor’s exact voice, it won’t be able to make such decisions on its own.
Similarly, in the majority of cases Artificial Intelligence technologies will prioritize neutrally creating the recording, and without considering the addition of authentic details, such as specific humoristic approach, or native or regional dialect, as well slang words that are relevant at the specific time period of the recording instead of already outdated ones in regards to everyday pop culture that AI may have a higher chance to access as information for such cases.
Instead, the production staff will have to carefully rewrite the prompts of action for the AI and regenerate the recording until the technology gets it right, which can certainly end up being a more time-consuming process than having a human voice actor do the performance.
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Working With Artificial Intelligence Instead Of Competing With It
Ultimately, Artificial Intelligence technologies will remain increasingly present one way or another within the entertainment industry going forward. This is why, instead of only competing with it, human voice actors can leverage these technologies for their own benefit.
One of the currently most common ways is to use Artificial Intelligence as another revenue stream opportunity. Even some of the most recognizable stars in Hollywood have signed licensing deals to allow them to use their voice for AI-generated content. It allows vocal performers to earn royalties from various types of projects without actually having to perform for them. Of course, this requires more legal manoeuvring than it would be in traditional acting agreements, so it is advisable to always have legal counsel check the AI-related deals before formally signing them.
Artificial Intelligence’s biggest benefit to voice actors may be through the enhanced ways of training it may provide, thus actually helping performers to work on the aforementioned competitiveness improvements. From simply becoming a digital training partner available at any given time, to exploring brand new styles and sounds for vocal performance, it can be just as reliable a tool for voice actors as for professionals from absolutely different fields of work.
