Is Voice Acting the Career for You?
Published September 23rd 2022
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Voice acting is a fascinating and versatile field that offers many career options. But it takes more than just a great voice to turn a profit. If you have ever considered making your voice part of your career, this article will explore the benefits of voice acting, possible voice acting career paths, and what you need to do to succeed as a voice actor.
What are the Benefits of Voice Acting?
Be Heard Anywhere
Whether your client is a multinational conglomerate or a mom-and-pop shop, your voice-over services can help them to create something unique that helps them to achieve their goals. When your voice is played on the radio, the television, or online, it is gratifying to hear yourself in action and know that thousands of other people are listening to your voice too.
Every Job is Different
One big perk of being a voice actor is having the opportunity to learn about various fields that you might not normally have contact with. Every job is different and you can be guaranteed that your work will never become boring. You could be narrating an online class about engineering in the morning and making a political advertisement in the afternoon.
Be Your Own Boss
The flexibility to work whenever and wherever you have an internet connection is one of the most attractive parts of the voice-over industry. You can have voice acting as a main career or keep it as a side hustle for extra income. As you establish yourself in the industry, you can create a niche and choose to turn down jobs that you are not interested in.
Examples of Voice Actor Jobs
The voice acting industry provides opportunities for both beginners and experienced actors alike. Listed below are some career paths that you can consider pursuing as a voice actor.
Broadcast Radio Voice Acting
If you are interested in becoming a radio show host, you may want to consider pursuing broadcast radio voice acting. Voice talent can add depth to radio programs and engage listeners more effectively. Additionally, voice-over artists are needed to record advertisements and other promos for radio stations. Sign on to a radio commercial voice over casting agency to gain more exposure as a voice-over talent.
Commercial Voice Acting
Commercial voice-over recording is a popular career choice for voice actors who are looking to break into the industry. Commercial voice acting work is readily available and can pay comparatively well. Since there is more work available, this career path is ideal for entry-level individuals who are looking for more exposure or to build up their voice acting portfolio. Several voice-over talent agencies specialize in casting commercial voice talent.
Animation Voice Acting
If you are looking for a career that allows you to be creative and have fun, you should consider pursuing a career in animation voice-overs. Because animations are often created with speaking characters in mind, there is always a demand for voice-over artists. You can get started in this field by creating your original animation projects and posting them online or by creating animation demo reels that show your range of skills.
Video Game Voice Acting
If you enjoy playing video games, this could be the career path for you. Video games require voice actors to play various characters in the game. If you have a talent for changing your voice and accent, you could even land multiple roles. Video game voice talent can earn a substantial wage working in the gaming industry and you get to have behind-the-scenes access to famous video games studios.
Audiobook Narration
If you love to read, then you should consider a career in audiobook narration. Audiobook narrators are hired by publishers, authors, schools, and other organizations to read a variety of texts, including fiction, non-fiction, and educational materials. Audiobook narration can be a lucrative and rewarding profession that provides you with the opportunity to improve your knowledge and develop a deeper appreciation for literature.
How to Start Voice Acting
Becoming a voice actor does not require any specific training or education. However, there are many steps you can take to improve your chances of becoming a successful voice actor. Here are some of them.
Gain Stage Skills
Getting trained as a stage actor is often the first step for aspiring voice actors. Participating in acting lessons can help you hone your skills by allowing you to learn from industry professionals. You can learn basic acting techniques, understand how to interpret scripts, and develop vocalization skills that help you express your character and emotions.
Invest in Vocal Training
You may think that a voice coach is only for singers but they can be helpful for voice actors as well. Voice acting depends on your ability to project a distinct tone and convey nuance through your voice. Vocal training instructors can instruct you in specific vocal techniques that help you to achieve the desired clarity and control of your voice.
Record a Demo
Clients are not going to hire you without first knowing what you are capable of. Therefore, you should record a demo with a few minutes of your greatest voice-over work. To demonstrate your acting and vocal range, a demo should typically feature multiple character voices and emotions. Make sure that you record it in a professional studio for the best quality.
Build a Home Studio
If you are serious about pursuing voice acting as a career, you should consider investing in a professional-level home studio. This will save you money in renting studio time in the long run. To start, you need a dedicated soundproof recording room. Then, you need a high-quality microphone, a good pair of headphones, a computer, audio recording and editing software, and an audio interface or mixing desk.
Audition Often
It can take a while before you get hired as a voice actor so you should audition as often as you can. Check audition websites for possible voice acting opportunities and send in your demos. To get greater access to clients, most voice actors employ the services of casting agencies. You can also sign up for certain online platforms that will showcase your portfolio for a subscription fee or referral commission.
Voice acting is a fun and challenging career that utilizes artistic, marketing, and technical skills. There are many benefits to the voice acting industry and the field has a low barrier to entry. That said, aspiring voice actors must invest time and effort to become trained and ready for media exposure.