Science! Yes, science proved it!

Look, I've been saying for years that you have to use your entire body when reading a script. That includes your HANDS! And now there is hard science that proves it!

Gift of Gab: Talk With Your Hands

Science! Yes, science proved it! - 4:15

Hey guys, welcome to another edition of The Gift of Gab!Today, we’re diving into one of my all-time favorite topics: hands, motion, movement, and why talking with your hands can be a powerful tool in your voiceover career.

Why Movement Matters in VO

Okay, I’m going to read this part because it’s long and I’m not about to memorize it. Recently, I read this Washington Post article that completely fascinated me—and I had to share it with you.

The article focused on how touch is used to communicate emotion—just as effectively as words or visual cues. That’s not something we typically think about, right?

In a 2009 study, researchers observed 124 pairs of strangers. One person in each pair was blindfolded, and the other had to convey an emotion through touch alone.

(And before you go there—keep it clean, people. This was scientific touch. Respectful touch.)

Amazingly, the blindfolded participants were able to accurately identify emotions like gratitude, disgust, happiness, and fear—just from simple physical contact. No faces. No voices. Just touch.

Then, in a recent University of London study, participants could correctly identify another person’s emotions just by looking at their hands—again, without ever seeing their face.

I mean... come on! ITALIAN HANDS FOR EVERYONE.

Gestures Amplify Your Voice

Seriously—this is what I’ve been saying all along. As voice actors, you have to use every part of yourself. Every word, every feeling, every beat you express—it can be supported, shaped, and enhanced with your hands.

You can gesture it. You can mime it. You can create it physically.

If you speak ASL, you already know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s an art form built entirely on using your hands to communicate emotion and intent. And for the rest of us? The same potential exists—we just have to tap into it.

I mean, think about it. How do you think sign language started? Somewhere along the line, people realized: “Wait... our hands can do a lot of the talking.”

Put Your Hands to Work in the Booth

So if you’re in the booth and your hands are just sitting there like little dead weights? Stop it. Start moving.

Even if it feels awkward. Even if you’re not used to it. Even if you were one of those kids who got told to "sit on your hands" growing up—don’t. Shake that off and start incorporating motion, gesture, and body language into your reads.

It will transform your performances. Promise.

And hey—if you’re like me and already Italian? Then guess what—you’ve got no excuse. You were built for this. I expect greatness from you!

Thanks so much for watching. I hope this helps you unlock a new layer in your reads. If you want to watch a video that’s similar, check out this one right over here ➡️ and be sure to like and subscribe to the channel. Thanks again, and see you next time!

704-674-8294 / GabrielleNistico.com / gabby@voiceovervixen.com

Gabrielle Nistico, Gabby Nistico, The Voiceover Vixen, The Business First VO Coach, #VoiceoverVixen #VoiceOnFire #BusinessFirstVOCoach Voiceover, Charlotte, North Carolina, Voiceover Demo, Voiceover Coaching Advice, do good, give back, volunteer, VolunteerVoiceover.com