Many people who are interested in a career in voice over think they need to have a great voice. While a good voice can help, there are other qualities that are more important.
Professional voices have natural articulation and an uninterrupted flow that feels authentic. They also respect a script’s pacing and avoid running out of breath.
What is a Voiceover?
A voiceover is a piece of audio recording that is used in a video production. The audio is usually read from a script and can be recorded either by a real person or by using a synthetic voice. There are two main types of voiceovers: narration and non-narration. Narration voiceovers describe what’s happening in the video and tell a story, while non-narration voiceovers are more instructional in nature.
Businesses of all kinds use voiceovers to convey their message and engage their audience. Whether you’re making an educational video, a business presentation, or even a movie trailer, a quality voiceover will make your message resonate with the listener.
To get started, you’ll want to write a script before heading into the recording studio. This will help you stay on track and avoid unnecessary revisions or wasting time during the recording session. Having the script written ahead of time also gives the voice actor an opportunity to rehearse and get familiar with the content before recording.
You’ll need a microphone and headphones or speakers to record your voiceover. A high-quality microphone will ensure your voice is clear and crisp. A pair of quality headphones or speakers will allow you to hear your recordings so you can make any adjustments as needed. A quiet space is also important to avoid distractions like a blaring siren or the neighbor’s barking dog.
Voiceovers are a powerful tool for adding context, emotion, and accessibility to movies, TV shows, and other digital content. The unsung heroes of the film industry, they give viewers a sense of connection to the visuals onscreen and provide them with the tools they need to fully engage with the content.
In addition to providing a richer experience for audiences, voiceovers can enhance brand awareness and boost sales. With the rise of video marketing, more and more companies are using voiceover to showcase their products and services. To achieve the best results, you’ll need to take the time to find a voice that is perfect for your company and content. Fortunately, there are many resources available to connect you with talented voice actors who can bring your content to life.
What is the Role of a Voiceover Artist?
Voice over artists bring scripts to life for radio, TV or online. Their roles are varied and diverse, requiring them to understand tone and adapt their style. You’ll find voice overs in everything from commercials and video games to eLearning modules and audiobooks. Their voice is the face of a brand, conveying tone, emotion and credibility. They are experts at providing a flawless and consistent recording, using the correct pronunciation and tone to match the intended audience.
A voice actor’s career is a mix of auditioning, booking gigs and doing the actual recordings. They often work independently and it can take years before they have established themselves in the industry to a point where they can make a living from their voice over work. The best way to become a good voiceover artist is to do plenty of practice and experiment with their own range, tone and accents. They will also be comfortable with sight reading and able to adjust their delivery to suit the different scripts they are presented with.
The most common type of voiceover work is commercial, ranging from natural and relaxed to more exaggerated and theatrical depending on the client. Voiceover artists also perform character voices for film and television and some are known as mimics, excelling at imitating famous faces and characters. They are often hired to record ADR (automated dialogue replacement) for actors who are unavailable, which can require them to imitate the mouth movements of the actors on screen.
Those who work on audiobooks or long-form eLearning projects will be required to edit their recordings to reduce the length and make sure the content is clear and accurate. They will need to be familiar with all aspects of digital recording, editing and uploading and exporting multilingual files.
A voiceover artist needs to be professional and punctual and must be willing to travel to studios for recording sessions, although with advances in technology many jobs can now be completed from home. They will usually create a demo reel of their work, which they can use to impress project producers when looking for work.
How Does a Voiceover Artist Work?
At the beginning of their careers, voice actors may find themselves working a variety of gigs and projects. This can be a great way to build experience and get familiar with different production styles. Then, with experience, a voice actor can focus on the types of work they prefer. This can lead to a consistent work flow and long-term clients.
Depending on the type of project, a voice over artist may need to prepare a demo or sample reel of their work. A good demo can open doors to many opportunities, so it is important to spend time creating a high quality one. A good demo will include several examples of the kinds of work you do and a description of your vocal abilities.
In general, a voiceover artist will work in a studio or recording booth. They will need to ensure they have the right equipment to capture the best quality audio. They will also need to be comfortable sitting still for extended periods of time while recording.
There are two main categories of voiceover work: narration and non-narration. Narration voiceovers describe what is happening on-screen during a video, while non-narration voiceovers add an element of narrative and emotion to a video.
Most explainer videos require a professional voiceover artist to record a short demo for the video. This can take a while, as the video producer will want to get the best possible result from the voice actor. This usually means a few takes, although Taylor notes that professional voiceover artists will not be offended if they are told to do another take – it is business, after all.
Many people think of a voiceover actor as someone who reads lines from a script in the same way a regular actor would. However, there are many other things that a voiceover actor can do, and these can be very diverse. Reading an audiobook might require a steady, clear reading voice, while voicing an animation video may call for shouts, gasps and grunts. The ability to do all of these things requires a variety of skills, and the right combination of them can make for an interesting career.
What are the Benefits of a Voiceover Artist?
A career or side hustle as a voiceover artist can provide flexibility, independence and creativity. The work can be done from home with minimal equipment and with a variety of different clients, whether it’s working in the comfort of your own recording studio or at a professional studio alongside others. The ability to be self-employed also makes it easier to manage a family life or other commitments while still being able to earn an income.
As a skilled and established voiceover talent, you can command high pay rates. However, it can take a long time to reach the point where your voiceover work is generating enough money to make it your primary source of income. Initial investments in workshops, demo tape production and duplication, marketing expenses and so on will eat into your earnings.
It’s important to develop a niche for your voice and skill set. This can help you stand out from the competition and book quality jobs. This could be something as simple as focusing on children’s voices or perhaps developing an expertise in training and e-learning videos.
Depending on where you live and your career status, you may be eligible to join an actors’ union. This will enable you to access additional benefits that you fought hard to secure – such as the ability to be paid scale and residuals and contribute to a pension and welfare fund on behalf of your fellow members. This can give a strong level of security and confidence to your career and protect you from unreliable clients who won’t pay their fees.
When clients need a voice for a project, they will search online for a suitable candidate. Registering with an online voiceover roster allows potential clients to easily find your work and hear sample recordings of your range and capabilities. If you’re a quality performer with a professional and polished sound, there’s a good chance your demo will be heard and booked by many clients on a weekly basis. This can significantly boost your income. In addition, registering online is an inexpensive way to build your reputation in the industry.