I recommend watching the above video once. Then you can use the checklist as a quick reference when coming up with a voice.
The checklist, taken from improveyourvoice (also available as PDF):
1. Movement Qualities
Rudolf Laban created a system for describing movement qualities.
You can apply the same qualities to vocal delivery.
Laban divides action into three variables:
- Weight: Light / Strong
- Space: Direct / Indirect
- Time: Sudden / Sustained
When combined, they produce 8 distinct effort qualities:
- Dab — light, direct, sudden
- Flick — light, indirect, sudden
- Press — strong, direct, sustained
- Thrust/Punch — strong, direct, sudden
- Wring — strong, indirect, sustained
- Slash — strong, indirect, sudden
- Float — light, indirect, sustained
- Glide — light, direct, sustained
2. Placement
Where does the voice resonate?
- Nasal (forward, in the nose)
- Throaty (low, constricted)
- Neutral (balanced resonance)
3. Breath Quality
- Breathy
- Dry/Clean
4. Age Profile
Not about accuracy — about intention.
Your version of:
- Child
- Adult
- Old
5. Gender Expression
Not “sound like a man or woman” but your interpretation of masculine vs feminine energy.
- Masculine-coded
- Feminine-coded
6. Size
Think physical scale or “vocal size.”
- Small (mouse-like, compressed)
- Medium (neutral)
- Large (broad, expansive)
7. Tempo
Speed changes character drastically:
- Slow
- Neutral
- Fast
8. Volume
- Quiet
- Medium
- Loud
9. Attitude
Tone = the character’s emotional worldview.
- Friendly
- Neutral/Impartial
- Aggressive/Hostile
10. Accent
Pick any accents you can attempt. Example set of ten:
- Californian
- Southern US
- New York
- Irish
- Scottish
- RP
- Cockney
- Indian
- Nigerian
- South African
11. Speech Modifiers
Examples:
- Lisp
- Hard-of-hearing speech pattern
- Unique articulation habit