Does your subject extend the vowels out, our are they short and quick? Do they “replace” vowels with other vowel sounds? For example, some Spanish speakers turn an “i” into a long “eeeee” sound.
If you’re performing an impression live, you don’t want to make people wait while you “find” the accent. Locating where the voice comes from is a good way to gain consistency. [3] X Research source
Are there phrases the subject is commonly associated with, even if they don’t really use them that often in real life? For example, a good Michael Jackson impersonation must have a high-pitched “heee-heee!” What common words do they substitute out? Southeastern Americans, for example, frequently use “fixin’” in place of “getting ready to,” such as “I’m fixin’ to get something to eat. "
Does the subject speak slowly or do they rush the words out? Pacing is important! Where do they place pauses or emphasis? To see this in the extreme, check out a William Shatner or Christopher Walken impersonation, as both actors have extremely unique pauses in their speech patterns. [4] X Research source
If you’ve got an energetic subject (Kanye West, Robin Williams, Tom Cruise, etc. ), be sure to keep moving and speak quickly. Note and incorporate any big, broad, or uniquely personal gestures. A Michael Jackson impersonation, for example, would benefit greatly from a spin and crotch grab.
The best places to study are extreme emotions, where people tend to have more unique expressions. What is your subject like when overjoyed, angry, excited, or surprised?
Even one piece of clothing, like a hat, shirt, piece of jewelry or tie, can be used to get the point across if well played. Imagine you ran into them at a coffee shop – what are they wearing? Thrift and second-hand stores are the best places to get outlandish and unique clothes cheaply.
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and then jump right into the impression as soon as you open your eyes. Practicing this “on the dime” switch will be key for a live audience. [6] X Research source
Can you find other people or actors doing the same impression? This is often a good way to practice, as they will naturally exaggerate important areas to help you hone in on the impression. Make a note of syllables that give you trouble, and try to find an example of your subject’s saying them. Keep practicing the voice to get better and better. How long can you stay in the accent without breaking?
Be careful about going too far, of course! You want to be recognizable, not a cartoon version of the person.
Remember that if you’re performing this for an audience, the impression itself isn’t a joke. You’ll need to actually do something with it to make people laugh or clap. A classic, easy joke premise is to put your impersonation in a situation it would never actually be in, like a Barack Obama impersonation where he has to order his own meal at McDonald’s.
Just because an accent or impersonation is hard doesn’t mean it is impossible – this skill takes practice. However, you should feel pretty quickly if the tone or pitch is impossible for you to mimic.
