14 Great Tips For Becoming A Voiceover
Voice acting is a unique and challenging field, requiring a range of skills and talents. To become a successful voice actor, you’ll need to have a strong voice, excellent acting abilities, and a good understanding of the industry.
Develop Your Vocal Skills
Take vocal lessons to improve your voice and range, and practice speaking in different styles and tones. This will help you be able to create unique and engaging characters when you start voice acting.
Study the basics of acting
Take acting classes or workshops, and practice the techniques you learn in front of an audience. This will help you understand the process of bringing a character to life, which is a crucial part of voice acting.
Familiarize yourself with the industry
Research different types of voice over work, such as animation, video games, and audiobooks. Learn about the different studios, production companies, and talent agencies that are involved in the production of these projects.
Create a demo reel
This is a recording of several different voice acting samples that showcases your range and abilities. You can create your demo reel by recording yourself doing voiceover work for commercials, characters, or other projects. Most voice over talents will have several reel for each genre, and even separate ones for accents, so they are always at hand to send to prospective clients.
Network
Network with other voice actors and industry professionals. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with others in the industry on social media. This will help you stay up-to-date on industry news and trends, and make valuable connections that can lead to job opportunities.
On-Line Presence
Build a professional voiceover website and online presence. This will allow potential clients to find and learn more about you, and will provide a platform for you to showcase your voiceover work.
Representation
Consider working with a talent agency that specializes in voice acting. They can help you find work, negotiate contracts, and manage your career.
Audition
Be prepared to audition. Auditions are a crucial part of the voice acting process, and you’ll need to be able to showcase your abilities in a short amount of time. Be confident, and bring your best performance to every audition. Don’t just send your first take, send the best one! Check to see what the audition process is – most agencies request files in a certain format, with a particular file name and may stipulate whether or not slating is required.
Accept Criticism
Be open to feedback and criticism. As you begin to work on voice projects, be willing to receive feedback from directors, producers, and other industry professionals. This will help you continue to improve and grow as a voice talent.
Keep Your Finger On The Pulse
Stay up-to-date with industry technology. The voice acting industry is constantly evolving, and it’s important to stay current with new technologies and techniques. Invest in quality recording equipment and be familiar with different recording software and techniques.
Develop Characters
Focus on character development. As a voice actor, your goal is to bring characters to life through your voice. Take the time to really understand the character you’re playing, and work to bring their unique personality and backstory to life.
Collaborate
Collaborate with other actors and directors. Voice acting is often a collaborative process, and working well with others is key to success in the industry. Be a good communicator, listen to others, and be open to new ideas.
Professionalism is Key
Be professional and punctual. Show up to recordings and other appointments on time, and be prepared to work hard. Maintaining a positive and professional attitude will help you build a strong reputation in the industry.
Keep On Going
Finally, be persistent and never give up. The voice acting industry is competitive, and it can take time to break in and find success. Stay focused on your goals, and keep working hard to improve and grow as a voice actor. With dedication and hard work, you can become a successful voice actress and make a career out of your passion for voice acting.
How Can I Help This Process?
I’m a professional female voice over artist, based in London and York, with over 15 years in the voice-acting business. I have clients around the world, and work from my own broadcast-quality studio with all the bells and whistles required to give my voiceover clients the best results for their projects. I offer voiceovers in British English, with a variety of accents and dialects, and also offer multilingual voiceover services.
Send me an email and let’s talk about how my voice can help you.