Do you want to sound confident, persuasive, and watchable on camera? In this episode, Luke sits down with Michael L. Roberts - the vocal & performance coach behind projects including Rocketman, Belfast, Better Man, House of the Dragon, and more - to break down how pros prepare, speak, and deliver under pressure.
What you’ll learn:
• The difference between playing a character and being authentic on camera - and why the latter is harder (but worth it).
• Learn to speak in your audience's language, and how Michael landed Rocketman by demonstrating ideas visually for director Dexter Fletcher.
• How “Practice makes permanent.” Build your material so you can improvise without panic - no new ingredients on show day.
• Ethos • Logos • Pathos. The 3 appeals of persuasion can be a powerful framework to make your message land - earned credibility, clear reasoning, and emotion that moves people.
•A 60-second vocal warm-up to boost clarity, range, and energy before you hit record.
•Script writing the audience’s outcome, not your bio - structure around conflict → resolution to keep viewers watching.
•Behind the scenes insights into how Michael prepped Taron Egerton vocally and at the piano for Rocketman, and coached Matt Smith (yes, in Valyrian!) on House of the Dragon.
C-Suite coaching & business takeaways.
Michael also coaches CEOs and senior leaders on voice, persuasive identity, and message design. If you run a business:
• Serve, don’t show - Make the message about the audience’s action and outcome.
• Balance the three appeals and fix your weakest link among ethos, logos, pathos.
• Speak in the medium your listeners think in - visuals, numbers, next steps.
• Over-prepare to improvise - Stress-test talking points and stick to tools you’ve rehearsed.
• Use breath and stillness; then vary pitch and pace for emphasis - create authority without the “performer mask.”
Try this before you record (quick warm-up)
1) Sit tall, shoulders relaxed.
2) Read a single line out loud three times - neutral, slightly higher, slightly lower - changing only pitch on the breath, not your posture.
3) Keep the face calm; let the air do the work. You’ll sound steadier and more expressive in minutes.
4) Try the vocal warm-up with the poem written by Michael's father
About Michael L. Roberts
Vocal & performance coach, musician, screenwriter, and advisor to film productions and C-suite leaders. Credits include Rocketman, Belfast, Better Man, and House of the Dragon.
Michael’s film & music work:
https://www.michaellroberts360.com/
Michael’s production company:
https://www.twelfthpeerproductions.com/
Connect with Michael:
/ michaellrobertsperformance
/ michaellloydroberts
If this helped, drop your biggest takeaway in the comments and share with someone who’s about to hit record. 🎬🎤
Chapters:
00:00 Intro & why you know Michael’s work (Rocketman, Belfast ...)
02:06 Behind-the-scenes career & how to be confidence on camera
04:46 Character vs. being yourself (why authenticity is harder)
07:01 Michael’s voice journey (South Wales roots → jazz persona)
09:06 Losing & rebuilding authenticity (“two years in the cave”)
11:24 Speaking their language - landing Rocketman with a visual demo
13:49 Coaching Taron & day one at Abbey Road (the “one finger” moment)
16:43 Piano “party trick” - two hands in 30–60 minutes
17:56 Vocal prep & recreating Elton’s influences (the vinyl embargo)
19:40 Elton’s feedback & arranging choices at Abbey Road
21:31 On set with Dexter Fletcher - director’s chair & lessons
23:59 Creative osmosis → directing ambitions
24:56 Press day stories & media training moments
27:34 Confidence = preparation (“practice makes permanent”)
28:28 Ethos • Logos • Pathos - the persuasion framework
31:00 Coaching the C-suite - serve the audience, not the ego
34:24 Politics example (PMQs) & framing for media & electorate
42:48 Warm-ups - should you? Luke’s routine & Michael’s take
45:30 60-second breath-led warm-up (poem exercise)
49:13 “No new ingredients on show day” (barber/Vaseline story)
51:27 House of the Dragon & coaching Matt Smith
52:31 Learning Valyrian overnight & on-set vocal guiding
53:30 Actors & public speaking vs. being yourself
55:17 Tips for script writing a video - write for the audience
58:28 Working in front of the camera (playing Richard Burton)
1:02:47 Inspiration from Antonio Banderas
1:07:14 Working with Suki Waterhouse
1:13:14 How to connect with Michael
1:14:00 Mixing creative work with C-Suite Execs & business
1:19:10 Closing thoughts for creators & businesses making video content
#vocalcoach #speaklikeapro #videomarketing
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