How to become a voice actor
If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to make a living as a voice actor, then you’re not alone. With the rise of digital and technological content in our lives, the demand for voice actors has only continued to grow. You may have even heard famous voices in video games or online ads that sound familiar, but you can’t place their face. Well, they were probably voicing characters like Mario from Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros! I’ll be sharing some tips on becoming a voice actor below, so keep reading.
Overview on how to become a voice actor
1. What is voice acting, and how does it work
2. How to get started as a voice actor
3. Tips for getting the voice acting job done right
4. The future of voice acting and what you need to know
5. Advice on how to stay motivated in your new career path
6. A few key things that will help you succeed as a voice actor, including education and training, networking, and business skills like accounting
What is voice acting?
Voice acting is when someone reads lines of text recorded for movies, TV shows, commercials, video games, audiobooks, or any other kind of digital media. Voice actors can also act out characters’ movements during voiceover (aka off-camera narration).
How does it work?
First, you’ll need to record your voice to be edited and fit into places where actors’ faces aren’t seen. After recording your voice, you’ll send the audio file back to the studio so it can be used for a project.
How to get started as a voice actor
– Get an education that will help you break into this industry. Acting is one of those jobs where you really can’t fake your way through it. If you’re serious about becoming a voice actor, you need to get an education that will help boost your acting skills and credentials. Acting classes, theater courses, improv lessons, and other related certificate programs are good places to start. The Actor’s Studio in New York City is a well-known hub for professional actors. Acting coaches like David Kyle and Cynthia Kling work with the people who want to become voice actors, as well as those who already have a foothold in the industry.
– Take acting lessons and get involved in local theater productions. Joining an improv group or community theater is also a great way to meet other aspiring actors and build up your chops. Most importantly, you’re going to need some proof that you can act well. Acting classes are a perfect way to showcase your talent and demonstrate that you have the skills necessary to succeed in the industry.
– Develop good business sense. Acting is one profession where it’s challenging to get by without solid business acumen. Acting, after all, is a business, and if you want to excel as a voice actor, it’s essential to treat it like one. If you don’t know how to manage your finances or negotiate contracts, getting started as a voice actor can be difficult.
– Get training in fields related to the type of work you want to get. For instance, if you’re going to be a video game voice actor, you might need training in video game production or animation so you can understand how the process works.
– Network with other actors and get involved in projects that will get your name out there. Acting is all about who knows who, so getting yourself “out there” is crucial when you’re trying to land roles. Acting classes and workshops are a great way to meet other actors, but if you don’t have an acting class in your area, there are plenty of online resources that can help connect you with people who want to get involved in voice work. Project Casting is a community for voice actors looking for gigs or to learn more about the industry.
– Find out which voice acting agencies are looking for new talent. Acting agencies tend to deal with more prominent roles, like commercials or animated features, so you’ll need to build up your resume before you can expect an agency to take you on as a client. You might also be able to find classes through an agency that can help you get started.
– Get your voice demo ready. Acting agencies often need to hear what your voice sounds like before they’ll sign you on as a client, so make sure you have a quality voice demo ready to go when agents are looking for new talent. You can either produce the video yourself or hire someone to do it for you.
– Have flexible hours so you can work on voiceover projects around your existing schedule. Acting is all about who knows who, so getting yourself “out there” is crucial when you’re trying to land roles.
Tips for getting the voice acting job done right
– Save your money. Acting is an expensive field, and if you’re trying to get into voice acting, it’s probably going to cost you a good chunk of change. Acting courses can be pretty pricey, even if they are offered for community education rates. Voice acting training videos are generally affordable but might not have the same quality as a live class. Acting coaches can cost several hundred dollars a month, depending on how much work you need to do to reach your goals.
– Take a voice acting class or workshop to ensure the voice acting career is right for you. Acting classes and workshops are a great way to meet other actors, but if you don’t have an acting class in your area, there are plenty of online resources that can help connect you with people who want to get involved in voice work. Project Casting is a community for voice actors looking for gigs or to learn more about the industry.
– Choose a specialty and remain focused on it. Acting is all about building up a repertoire and getting yourself well known in a specific industry, so if you’re trying to become a voice actor, it’s probably not a good idea to wander from voiceover to voiceover. If you can become known as the type of person who specializes in video game work or commercial spots, for instance, you’ll have an easier time standing out from your competitors.
The future of voice acting and what you need to know about this new aspect of the film industry
As video games continue to rise in popularity, so does the need for quality voice actors. Voice acting is an excellent career for gamers who want to turn their love of a hobby into a paying job. Acting is all about being well known in a specific industry, so if you’re trying to become a voice for video games voice actor, you’ll have an easier time standing out from the competition.
Advice on how to stay motivated in your new career voice acting path
– Keep your energy levels high. Voice actors need to be well-rested and full of life to do their best work, so make sure you eat right and try to get to bed early if you can’t afford a personal trainer.
– Invest in a quality microphone. Acting agencies often need to hear what your voice sounds like before they’ll sign you on as a client, so make sure you have a quality voice demo ready to go when agents are looking for new talent. You can either produce the video yourself or hire someone to do it for you.
– Have flexible hours so you can work on voiceover projects around your existing schedule. Acting is all about who knows who, so getting yourself “out there” is crucial when you’re trying to land roles.
Conclusion:
Voice acting is a growing field and one that can be lucrative for your career. If you’re interested in exploring this option, we recommend checking out Project Casting to find voiceover jobs near you. The site offers tips on how best to get started as a voice actor and has the latest information about what people are looking for in talent today. Once there, please take advantage of their comprehensive list of current job postings from both big brands and small businesses that need help with audio work across all industries. You never know where your next paycheck will come from!
