Is there a name for the vocal technique used for characters like Sméagol?

I notice a common pattern for voicing characters like Sméagol (Lord of the Rings), Stitch (Lilo & Stitch), Mogwai (Gremlins), and Jar Jar Binks (Star Wars Ep. 1) that involves falsetto and raising the back of the tongue to the roof of the mouth while talking. Is there a common name for that technique?

68 points · 7 comments · view on lemmy.world

7 Comments

AmidFuror@fedia.io · 29 pts · 249d

I don't know what it's called, but it's precious.

southsamurai@sh.itjust.works · 13 pts · 249d (2 replies)

Isn't that a version of fry?

techt@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 249d (1 reply)

I'm not sure -- when I hear "vocal fry" I think of that open-throated low engagement of the vocal cords that makes a deeper sounding rapid popping noise. Were you referring to the same?

southsamurai@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 248d

Pretty much, yeah, though it doesn't have to be low, iirc. It can come from higher in the throat, and thus sound higher pitched as well.

A_norny_mousse@feddit.org · 5 pts · 249d

It comes kinda naturally once you've been almost choked to death.

ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 248d

Also Shaggy of It Wasn't Me fame.

netvor@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 248d

gulp