The (Not So) Secretive World of Voice Over Acting
The last time you watched a commercial with a narration going in the background, did you think about who was responsible for the voice? Or how about the informational video you stumbled across that helpfully explained the text and visuals being shown across the screen? Maybe you listened to a dramatic live read on a podcast or audiobook on your daily walk. All of these are examples of voice over work.
While it’s certainly something you’re familiar with, you might not be aware of the art and business that’s necessary for becoming successful in the field. What might seem easy enough to the uninitiated (after all, isn’t it just reading and speaking?) is very much a craft that takes years to master. Whether you’re looking to become a voice over actor yourself, or just interested in learning more about the profession to gain a greater appreciation for the sounds pervasive in your everyday media, here is some helpful information related to the field.
Types of Voice Over Work
If you’re just now beginning to explore the terrain of voice over work for the first time, you might think that the only main activity is narrating film trailers or commercials. That would certainly be understandable, since those sectors make up a large portion of the field. But there are countless other opportunities to delve into. In the world of cinema, in addition to narrating film trailers, there’s also plenty of work for dubbed foreign voice over language films, as well as voice acting for animated features. As for television, beyond just traditional commercials, there’s always a plethora of ad spots and promos to go around—especially with the prevalence of media consumption shifting predominantly toward online outlets.
Some more examples of work include documentaries, video games, podcasts, and audiobooks. Plus, there are live events, including award shows and concerts. In terms of devices, many toys and games rely on voice over in combination with sound effects. Keeping an eye toward the future, there’s a constant deluge of technological gadgets needing voice overs, including phone apps, GPS, and the ever expanding internet-of-things.
What to Expect as a Voice Over Actor
The key to becoming successful in the voice over field is remaining flexible and motivated. Working as a professional voice actor often means dealing with inconsistent workflows—at least, initially. If branching out into the field for the first time without any experience, you will most likely be working freelance. In fact, depending on your career goals and marketing competencies, you might find yourself remaining as a freelancer even after making a name for yourself and gaining experience.
While there isn’t a mandatory educational background—or even a standard one—that’s necessary for entering the field, voice lessons are very important. After all, even those with naturally compelling voices still need to learn how to utilize the most of their abilities.
Succeeding as a voice actor requires a tremendous amount of practice, constantly fine tuning and expanding your arsenal of voice over capabilities in order to make yourself as marketable as possible. In the same fashion, especially if planning on remaining a freelancer with consistent income, you will have to embrace the fundamentals of networking by building and maintaining relationships throughout the field.
Voice Over Lifestyle
There have been many prominent voice actors who have made long and successful careers from their unique and often recognizable styles. Throughout the extensive list of voice over professionals, a trend often emerges. Once they finally find work, many of them end up having a lot of work throughout their careers, which is great news! After you’ve established yourself in the field and made a name for yourself by showcasing your abilities to provide voice over work for a wide range of characters and sectors, your career will certainly begin to snowball.
Keep in mind that regardless of how successful you become as a voice over actor, you most likely won’t be recognized out in public—and this can be a good or bad aspect of the profession, depending on your reasons for wanting to work in the entertainment industry. In a way, you can have the best of both worlds by being famous while hiding in plain sight. In fact, the characters you voice (along with other forms of voice over work you do) will most likely end up becoming far more recognizable than you’ll ever be.
Emerging Voices
Whether you’re an established female voice over artist or you’re just now trying to break into the field, it’s important to remember that voice over work is just as much an art as it is a business. Many people have found success in both established and emerging forms of media and modalities, and you can too. Therefore, remain motivated, flexible, and diligent to your craft, as new opportunities will continue to arise each day with advances in media and technology.