Voiceover actors can be hired to work on different projects, including commercials, educational content, audiobooks, video games, and cartoons.
They read written material and record voiceovers in a vocal booth, where they express emotions using their voice. To do so, they must possess some acting skills since they must know how to change their tone and inflections to convey exactly what they are hired to convey.
It can be fun, allowing you to work from home and make your hours. Sounds good? These tips will help you get started on how to become a voiceover actor or actress.
1. Work with a voice coach
Recording voiceovers is more complicated than standing before a microphone and reading a text or making impressions. Voiceover actors are skilled artists, and they have experience when it comes to acting, pronunciation, delivery, and pronunciation.
To help you become a voiceover artist, you should start by taking lessons with a voice coach. They will show you what you need to know about voiceovers and teach you how to make the most of your voice.
2. Consider taking acting classes
Voiceover services employ professional actors. Even if they are not working in front of a camera, they need to know how to convey different emotions and make listeners feel they can identify with them.
If you have never taken acting lessons, you should consider enrolling in acting classes. As you develop acting skills, you will learn how to make written words come to life instead of simply reading them on a page.
And if you have already taken acting lessons, your skills will serve you well in your new career as a voiceover actor.
3. Listen to professional voice actors
As you develop your skills, pay attention to the work of professional voice actors. This shouldn’t be too difficult to do since voiceovers are everywhere.
Anytime you watch a commercial, a dubbed video, an educational video, or a cartoon, make an effort to focus on the performance of the professional who recorded the voiceover.
Study their tone, their inflections and their delivery. Over time, listening to the pros will help you become a better voiceover actor.
4. Practice and improve
Acquiring voice acting skills and listening to the pros is not enough. To become a voiceover actor, you need to practice.
Many times.
Ideally, you should practice every single day. Record yourself while you read scripts and copy. And then, listen to your recordings, and try again.
Practicing regularly is the only way to improve, hone your skills, and become a better voiceover actor.
At this point in your journey, you should consider setting up your home studio if you don’t already have one.
5. Choose your niche
As you start looking for work as a voiceover actor, you will probably be ready to seize any opportunity.
But choosing the niche you would like to work in is still a good idea. What type of work would you like to do in your career as a voice actor? Are you more interested in doing funny voices for cartoons or recording voiceovers for commercials?
Choosing your niche can help you determine which skills to focus on developing.
6. Record a demo reel
Your demo reel will serve as your portfolio. Record yourself performing different lines, and try to showcase your skills and the type of work you want.
Whether you want to work with a talent agency or look for auditions and open casting calls, your demo reel should help you find interesting job opportunities.
7. Audition for voiceover jobs
Unless you’re lucky, no one will just randomly visit your website or social media page and give you a voice-acting job. You must audition for different roles if you want to work as a voiceover actor.
Focus on auditioning for roles that suit your voice type and your talent. Practice the copy many times before recording each audition and submitting it.
If you don’t land a role right away, don’t despair. Keep practicing, and keep auditioning.
8. Build your professional network
A professional network can help you find different opportunities and advance your career.
Get to know other voice actors and aspiring voice actors. Make new friends who share your interests and your passion.
Your network will help you learn more about your new career path, and it could also help you find auditions for jobs that seem like they were meant for you.
And, of course, your goal should be to return the favour and help your network in any way you can.
