As you watch television, listen to the radio or even get put on hold when calling a business, you may hear disembodied voices that sound nothing like the person whose face is behind them. Those voice overs are called voice acting and they are used in almost all forms of media. Despite the increasing popularity of voice over as an artistic career, it is still not well known by many people, even in the world of filmmaking.
Typically, voice over are performed in professional recording studios that can provide you with the high-quality equipment you need to get started. However, you can also do voice overs from home if you have the proper setup and software. This includes a computer or mobile device with recording and editing software, as well as a microphone that can record audio at a high-quality level. In addition, you’ll need a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed during your recording sessions.
Once you have the right gear in place, it’s time to start recording your demo! Before you do, be sure to run a test recording to ensure your equipment is working correctly. Then, read the script out loud to get a feel for how it will sound when spoken. People often write differently than they speak, so it might take some time to make the script sound natural when recorded.
As you read the script, imagine that you are talking to a friend in real life. This can help you focus on making natural-sounding conversational tones and intonation, which will give your recordings a more authentic feel. You should also try to use a variety of voicing styles, as different clients will likely want you to sound a certain way.
Depending on the type of work you’re interested in, you can record a variety of genres to showcase your versatility. For example, if you’re interested in narration, you can perform excerpts from royalty-free novels that are available in the public domain. Alternatively, you can record dialogue between two characters to demonstrate your ability to shift between various speaking styles.
If you’re looking to make voice over a long-term career, it’s a good idea to network with other voice actors and agents. Ask them if they have any job leads for you and whether or not they would be willing to listen to your demo. If they are, ask them to share their feedback with you and offer any helpful suggestions for improving your performance.
Once you’ve built up a portfolio of sample recordings, submit your demo to voice over agencies. Be sure to research each agency before you contact them and follow their submission protocol carefully. This includes submitting your demo in the correct format and following any other instructions the agency provides.
Great voice over is a key component to creating successful videos. It keeps viewers engaged and helps them understand the information being conveyed. Unfortunately, muddled or garbled audio can cause viewers to lose interest or become frustrated.