Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
Venturing into the world of voice over can be both exhilarating and daunting. Whether you’re drawn to the allure of bringing characters to life, narrating compelling stories, or voicing commercials, the journey begins with some essential steps.
1. Understanding the Industry
Before diving in, it’s crucial to understand the various niches within the voice over industry. These include:
- Commercials: Voice overs for TV, radio, and online advertisements.
- Animation: Voicing characters in animated films, TV shows, and web series.
- Video Games: Providing voices for characters in video games.
- Audiobooks: Narrating books for listeners.
- E-Learning: Creating voice overs for educational content.
- Corporate: Voicing for corporate videos, presentations, and training materials.
Exploring these categories helps you determine where your interests and strengths lie.
2. Developing Your Skills
Voice acting is more than just having a pleasant voice; it requires acting skills, versatility, and the ability to convey emotions and intentions through your voice. Here are some steps to hone your craft:
- Take Acting Classes: Acting classes can significantly enhance your ability to perform and bring scripts to life.
- Voice Over Workshops: Attend workshops and seminars specific to voice acting to learn techniques and industry standards.
- Practice Reading Aloud: Regularly read books, scripts, and articles out loud to improve your diction, pacing, and expressiveness.
As a novice, I’ve found that consistent practice and feedback are key to improving my performance.
3. Setting Up a Home Studio
A professional-sounding recording is essential for voice over work. Setting up a home studio doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does require some basic equipment:
Microphone
A quality condenser microphone can make a significant difference in recording clarity.
Audio Interface
This connects your microphone to your computer and ensures high-quality sound transmission.
Soundproofing
Minimizes background noise and echoes, creating a cleaner sound. This can be achieved with foam panels, blankets, or even a quiet closet.
Other Noise reduction
As you begin to practice in your space you begin to hear details about your voice you’ve never paid attention to. Something like a pop-filter can help reduce the harsh sounds that can occur when pronouncing plosive consonants like “p” and “b.”
Like a pop filter, a mic cover (aka, windscreen) can also help to reduce excessive pressures on a microphone’s element.
Investing in good equipment and learning to use it effectively has been a crucial part of my journey.
4. Building a Demo Reel
A demo reel is your voice over resume, showcasing your range and talent. Keep in mind that it’s highly recommended that you seek the help of not only a coach but a demo producer to ensure your demo sounds fantastic and is an accurate reflection of your actual abilities. Here’s how to create one:
Select Diverse Scripts
Choose scripts that highlight different styles and emotions. This could include a commercial, a character piece, a narration, and an e-learning segment. Your coach or demo producer will be critical in making this decision.
Keep It Short
Aim for about 60 to 90 seconds, with each segment lasting 10-15 seconds.
Professional Quality
Ensure the audio quality is top-notch. Hire a professional to produce and edit your reel.
I’m currently working with my coach (who is also a demo producer) on my own demo reel, and it’s been a fantastic way to apply what I’ve learned and assess my progress.
Starting in voice over is an exciting journey filled with continuous learning and growth. By understanding the industry, developing your skills, setting up a home studio, creating a demo reel, marketing yourself, and actively seeking opportunities, you can pave the way to a successful voice over career. As a fellow novice, I’m walking this path alongside you, eager to learn, improve, and share the magic of voice acting with the world.