[Extended Practice] Voice Recording

I bought a voice recording device in Hong Kong with a fair price, pretty good quality, ready to do the most important part of my animation- the voice!!!!

We had a few tests before the actual recording. I want him to mention few important points of the events:

the date, 

the place, 

why did the bad guys sent a person down?

what did you do afterwards?

what did the criminal hold?

Did you hurt?

do what you think about this event?

At the first attempt, he did not really feel comfortable and the speech is stiff and live-less, instead of memorising the script, I want him to speak from his heart. Therefore plan changed, this time I asked him question and he answer, everything sounds more natural and organised so this should be the method.

Funnily, when I started recording, he became stiff again. It should be very hard for a person who are not use to this. Although it is very differ from his daily voice tone, I thought it might also be good to use this uncomfortable voice since his is representing the Policeman so it should be spoken by another identity. He was so polite during the whole interview and speaking every words clearly, with just a little mumble but which should be fine!I tried to make jokes and ease the tension which got better.

I kept asking him the events, attempting to get a good result. However, the more I asked, the more bored and tired he got (he did not say anything but I could feel it). So the first recording is the best result I got. It is the most natural. Each video has about 3-4 attempts, separating the questions into small parts. 

After this experience, I knew that it is easy to voice record someone but it is very difficult to get the most natural voice from them, especially from a person who could easily tense. (also from a stubborn Hong Kong man) I really wish I could have a better voice record but at the same time the result remind me not to over manipulate the process. It is also fun to work with what I got and it might lead to a different result! The most important elements needed when recording someone's voice are:

Good voice recording device

good sets of questions

The person

A quite space

water

jokes!