Unlocking Your Script: How “Where Is My Character Coming From?” Transforms Voice Acting

Featuring a breakdown of the LEGO’S commercial script

As actors, we’ve all been told to “get into character” — but what does that really mean? One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself when interpreting any script is:
“Where is my character coming from?”

This question isn’t about geography. It’s about emotional and psychological context. What past experiences, current motivations, or inner truths are fueling the character’s words and actions? When you know where your character is coming from, your performance gains authenticity, depth, and connection.

Let’s look at a short commercial script for LEGO’S and use it to explore this concept:

LEGO’S Commercial Script (:30)

My child has quite an imagination. His teachers say that some day he’ll be doing great things. Right now, he’s already an architect, a designer, an engineer … I think he’s a creative genius …and thanks to LEGO’S, the creative building toy, there’s just no limit to what he can do.
LEGO’S — the creative diversion that helps develop a child’s potential.

Where Is This Character Coming From?

This is a father speaking — a voice full of warmth, pride, and genuine admiration. Let’s break down five possible interpretations of where this character might be coming from emotionally or psychologically:

1. From a place of deep parental pride

He’s beaming. He sees his child’s creativity as something extraordinary. He’s not just reporting what others say — he genuinely believes his kid is special.

Acting Note: Let this pride color your voice — speak with awe and love, not hype or sales energy. Smile with your heart.

2. From a place of joyful surprise

Maybe this father wasn’t very creative growing up, or maybe he never had the chance to explore his own imagination. Seeing it in his child delights him and surprises him.

Acting Note: Add a tone of wonder and discovery, like he’s constantly amazed by what his child comes up with next.

3. From a place of hope for the future

This dad may have struggled financially or worked a blue-collar job. He sees LEGO’S as a path to something greater for his child — a way to build a future of endless possibilities.

Acting Note: Let hope and quiet ambition live under your lines. This is about dreaming big for someone else.

4. From a place of admiration for his child’s independence

The child builds and imagines on their own. This father is watching from the sidelines, in awe, watching a little person develop their own ideas and confidence.

Acting Note: Lean into calm observation. This read is less excited and more reverent — like watching a master at work.

5. From a place of connection and shared play

This father doesn’t just watch — he builds with his child. He knows firsthand what’s being created because they’re building memories together.

Acting Note: Add warmth and playfulness. There’s a shared experience in his tone — maybe even a little nostalgia.

Why This Matters

By asking “Where is my character coming from?”, you’re adding layers to your read. It’s no longer just about selling a toy — it’s about telling a story. A story of a father. A family. A child’s dreams.

This technique can be applied to any script — commercial, animation, film, or narration. It invites you to explore the character’s inner world, to bring more than just your voice — to bring your understanding, your empathy, and your truth.

Try It Yourself

Take a script — even just one line — and ask:

• What’s their emotional state?

• What just happened before this?

• What do they want the audience to feel?

• What’s at stake for them?

You’ll be amazed at how many new doors open.

And remember: you don’t have to pick just one. You can explore multiple “coming from” places in rehearsal until the one that feels most honest, most alive, finds you.