If anyone is interested in impressions, you might fancy giving me some feedback on my video - I'd be really interested. I tackle as many voices as possible within 5 mins, many of whom are English (Partridge, Stephen Fry, Little Britain stuff). Although I'm new to spoof videos and comedy 'performance', I do have a few ideas that I might develop and they aren't necessarily voices.
Anyway, thanks for your time boys and girls!
Some are great, some less so - but the Morrissey was superb. Partidge made me laugh too. Your Barney Gumble was waaay off though!
You're certainly a talented mimic, but you need to focus on your best ones and junk the ones that aren't so hot. With practice you could be very, very good.
Can you do Sid James? Especially his trademark dirty laugh?
Quote: R.J. @ February 1 2010, 12:24 PM GMTyou need to focus on your best ones and junk the ones that aren't so hot.
Sound advice. Just look at this young man's flawless impression of Kenneth Williams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbgfWvr6QFQ
Some real goodies there. Particularly liked the Partridge, Lou & Andy, Homer, Dave from Royle Family...
But you could easily lose the preamble and the sound effects, they don't really add anything to the video.
Thanks for the input everybody. The impressions were just rolled off on a Saturday afternoon, whereas the quality control lay with the editing.
It's quite difficult to dissect which impressions to discard, but I have a slightly better idea now – thanks. Looking back, I also think I could've been more animated with my body language (shit camera made this difficult). Having said that, I had to concentrate on the voices, because unlike the big hitters like Bremnar, Culshaw and McGowan, I have no makeup, costumes and sets whatsoever; OK I have a woolly hat which seemed to resemble a damp piece of rag on the vid. I'm also aware that many people may hear my voice broadcast over small, possibly tinny speakers, which actually makes me cringe! I'm still experimenting and you lot are a valuable set of stern critics. Thanks all!
Can you do a Sid James voice and laugh?
Nope, but I dare say, not even Sid can these days. Gimme a few Woodbines and a bra strap and I'll work on it.
One tip - try to edit out the bits where you're going to turn the camera off. Just looks a bit naff.
Quote: Kenneth @ February 2 2010, 12:23 AM GMTCan you do a Sid James voice and laugh?
Quote: MichaelG @ February 2 2010, 1:26 AM GMTNope, but I dare say, not even Sid can these days.
Partridge and Peter Griffin were great. Grant Mitchell was very funny. Props for having a go at Homer Simpson - he's jolly hard to do and I've not seen many impersonators pull him off. (Fnaar).
Your Frankie Howard immediately made me think of Ricky Gervais in When The Whistle Blows.
Update: Found a good Homer guy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r4cvUNCR_k
Thanks for all the insightful feeback everyone, it will make my job easier for my next video - whenever that may be. I'm still a little confused as to who I should ditch... I have a smouldering heap of cuts of other people which I may stick on next time. Ultimately, it's all just a bit of fun though, so I do want to get too bogged down in analysis (which is quite easy to do)! Thanks :-D
Perhaps you could impersonate a parrot doing an impression of Sid James?
Quote: MichaelG @ February 3 2010, 2:06 AM GMTI'm still a little confused as to who I should ditch...
For me the weakest were probably Wiggam, Grossman and Winton. Some crackers in there though!
Thanks Mr Snodworthy! I value your opinions and you have a great name!
To add to what's already been written, I also believe there is a fine line between doing an impression that is unique and the 'standard issue impressions' – which everyone knows and loves. For instance, almost anyone who does a Tony Blair impression does an impression of Rory Bremnar impersonating Tony Blair. The result ends up sounding a bit recycled. I'm not comparing myself to the best, but when I did my Arnie impression for instance, I was well aware that there was the standard 'GET OUUUUUT!' line I could spit out, but instead I opted for the gun shop scene from The Terminator.
Cartoon characters can also prove difficult because they don't really have human expressions, so the voice is even more important.
All great fun though!
Thanks again for the input.
Have you tried doing animal sounds and voices, like Frank Welker? He's awesome. He's also Freddy in Scooby Doo.