Voices over artists possess exceptional talent in their vocal abilities. With their modulating voices they can let the audience feel and understand the character’s emotions such as happy, sad, excited or angry. Without showing their facial expressions or body language to the listeners they make them understand what's going on, they also sometimes work with animators to bring visual art to life.
The responsibility of voice actors is honing their talent, understand taking direction and take good care of their vocal health. They might also be required to be on call for some quick assignments and must know how to use some technical equipment, and market themselves for the voice over artist jobs.
Projects Requiring Voice Artists
While starting their career, voice over artists might do various roles just to gain industry experience and have something to show on their portfolio. As time goes by they decide on focusing on one particular genre.
For example, those who read audio books must be talented enough in different accents to differentiate each character. Others might have one notable accent for advertisements or movie trailers.
Recording audio for animated characters, voice actors are often asked to gesture to supplement their voice-acting skills so the animation can be created as realistic movements. Finally, voice over artist jobs for dubbing different language films require them to mimic what is already on the screen.
Accent and Voice Acting Training
Voice over acting also requires constant practice to build that proficiency and push for better results. Becoming a voice over actor does not only require to go for a voice acting training; but most of the voice actors work with a coach to learn new accents and improve themselves.
Voice actors are required to correctly pronounce and articulate words that audiences can easily understand. However, they can have more opportunities if they can also work on regional and foreign accents, or if they can sound much younger or older person.
Voice over artists does more than just speak. They are also required to sigh, scream, or breathe heavily, all on command and until then the director is happy with the quality. The ability to sing also is a plus point.
Also Read: How to Make Your Corporate Voice Over Sound Professional?
Ability to Take Direction and Improve
Voice over artist jobs is to work closely with directors and create the perfect take. It starts with the actor's initial interpretation. A well-written script has some direction, how each line has to be said. The voice actor must recognize what's most appropriate by reading the script.
During the recording session, the director help fine-tune the performance. The voice artist might be asked to raise or lower the pitch, or inject more energy. A voice actor who can reproduce these directions is a valuable asset. And, someone who gives the same performance over and over or argues with the director might not get the part.
Be On Call for Gigs
Voice over actors must have some other qualities too, such as to be at the studio on time and warm up for the task. This won’t be easy for those artists who are required to remain on call for their work. Recording studios book the sessions with plenty of notices, but they might also need voice over artists on an urgent basis. As production schedules may change at any time, and a flexible actor may is considered more.
Communicating properly is also important for building a positive reputation. If you want to reschedule a session, it is important to let the agent know it right away.
Vocal Chord Health and Care
Sometimes voice over artists might require rescheduling recording session because of poor vocal chords health. Having bad throat is a major concern for any artist who sings or speaks for a living. When your income is dependent on the health of your vocal chords, your duty and responsibility becomes to pamper your voice.
This means you do not have to yell whisper or cough and avoid alcohol and cigarettes. You must also give rest to your voice periodically and carry out voice warm-up exercises every morning.
Technical Skills Are a Plus
In voice over artist jobs you don't always have to go to a studio for recording the sessions. At home also with the right set-up, you can produce quality recordings just being at your own home. However, you will not get any immediate feedback from the director; also you will be responsible for managing all the equipment and sending the files further.
If the quality of the audio is not great on playback, you might be required to clean it up yourself, this goes when you are working with smaller clients. This requires extra work from you and a less efficient process, but working from home is being able to live wherever you want.
Marketing Skills for Career Advancement
Just like other type of acting career, voice over artists must be masters of self-promotion. If you can market yourself – especially online through website or social media– you can get more gigs.
Also, voice over artist can build a voice acting portfolio and go to voice acting auditions through word-of-mouth networking. Other possibilities are that you can work with a talent agency like Voice Over Grid that finds work for you, but there you might have less control over the type of work you do. There are also some other jobs such as announcing events, debates and hosting podcasts, radio shows that demonstrates your voice talent and helps you to build a good reputation in the industry.
To Known More About:
5 Reasons to Choose Voice Over as a Career
