Voice acting may not necessarily be as glamorous as other types of acting, but in recent years, it has definitely become a legitimate art form all unto itself. Think about a commercial that you’ve seen on television with a voice actor who was less-than-right for a particular part. A poor or miscast voice actor can completely fail to sell a product, which defeats the purpose of a particular advertisement. On the other hand, a great voice actor can make you want something even if you have no real reason to do so.
Voice acting as a career can be a great way to have fun while getting a steady paycheck, if you approach things from the right angle.
The Mindset
One of the most important things you need to have when starting your voice-acting career is the appropriate mindset. If you want to get into voice acting for fame and riches, you’ll likely be disappointed. If, on the other hand, your goal is to practice a particular craft and convey various types of emotions using only your voice, you’ll likely never be disappointed with your decision.
Training
Much like other avenues of acting, a wide variety of training is available to voice over actors. Some of the training can be completed on your own, while others will require outside help. Start by listening to the demo tapes of successful voice over actors and making notes. Go to the websites of voice over talent agencies and look for demo tape examples. If a particular tape is great, write down all of the reasons why. If a particular tape is bad, keep in mind that the reasons why are equally as important. Listening to a bad tape will teach you just as much, if not more, than listening to a good tape.
Also work on strengthening your voice and making it more versatile and flexible. A successful voice actor will be one with a wide range. You’ll also likely have to play a particular “role” for a long period of time, so make sure that your voice is up to the task by performing voice exercises on a daily basis. You should also take acting classes, as a big part of “voice acting” is still “acting.”
Finding Jobs
Finding jobs in voice acting is something you can do in a few different ways. You can produce a demo tape and send it to voice acting casting agents, production companies, studios and other businesses who may be in need of such services. You can also watch Internet resources for local auditions to find companies who are in need of actors. Don’t be discouraged – companies are always in need of voice talent.
An Agent
An agent is absolutely not required to begin a career in voice acting. An agent will, however, make the process easier. Landing an agent is similar to landing a job in the first place. Find a listing for a voice acting agent online who represents clients engaged in the type of work you want to do. Send the agent your demo tape and hope that they see the quality that you know you have. An agent can help send you on auditions, can help you land jobs and can even help negotiate for higher salaries.
Voice acting requires the same level of time and commitment as any other art form. If you put in the work now, you’ll be well on your way to a successful voice acting career sooner rather than later.
