Free How to Be a Voice Actor by Alan Smithee

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    OVERVIEW:
     
    What Is Voiceover?
    Nearly any time you hear a voice but don’t see a person speaking, there’s a
voiceover actor at work. On television, radio, in videogames, animation, sports
arenas, or on audiobooks, voiceover is everywhere. It’s a surprisingly diverse
field open to people with various backgrounds and skill sets, so whether you’re
an actor looking to expand his earning potential, someone who excels at
creating characters with her voice, or someone who’s constantly being told what
a great voice he has, there can be work for you as a voice actor.
    If you don’t mind spending hours in dark studios in front of a microphone,
voiceover can be an exciting, dynamic career that, for a growing number of
people, is extremely lucrative. There are no guarantees, of course, but if you
have skill, an ability to learn and adapt, and most of all, good, old-fashioned
luck, you can succeed as a voice actor!
     
    What Do
Voiceover People Do?
     
    Basically, voiceover people are
actors who use their voices. Some prefer to be called “voice actors,” accordingly.
But the bottom line is, voiceover people speak for a living.
    Below is a brief description of some of the many different areas of
specialization within voiceover. We’ll go into these categories in further
detail later, but here’s an overview.
    Commercial: This refers to any voiceover, whether on TV, radio,
the internet or other platform, that is used in selling a product. (e.g.,
“Refreshingly smooth Bud Light. Always worth it!”)
    Promo: Television networks use promo voices to promote a program
or lineup of shows. (e.g., “Tonight on NBC…”)
     
Animation: Animation people provide the wide and dynamic variety
of voices you hear on animated programming.
    Videogames: Similar to animation, these voiceover actors are the
voices you hear in videogames. This is a rapidly growing field.
    Narration: Narrators help tell the story in film documentaries or
documentary-style TV programs.
    ADR/Looping: These actors provide background voices for crowds
scenes seen in films and TV shows.
    Voice Matching: Occasionally, voice actors are brought in to
match and overdub the dialogue of an actor in a film or TV show who is not
available after shooting is over. Voice matching is also used in animated shows
in which a celebrity is imitated.
    Audiobooks: Some voiceover people specialize in audiobooks. They
read books aloud, and specialize in bringing the words and characters on the
page to life.
    Trailers: Though not as common these days, film trailers still
use voice actors to enhance the action. (e.g., “In a world…”)
    Political: Every election cycle, voiceover actors provide voices
for ads for and against propositions and candidates.
    Live Announcing: Also called “Voice of God,” live announcers work
in sports arenas, corporate events, award shows, and other live settings.
    Television and Radio Imaging: In conjunction with sound and video
producers, these voiceover people work with local radio and TV affiliates to
create brand identity.
     It’s quite a list! As you can see, there are lots of areas of
specialization in voiceover. But we’re going to be totally honest with you. The
one thing voiceover people primarily do is audition. There’s no set ratio, but
you may audition dozens or even hundreds of times before you land a job, so
you’ll need to be comfortable with the process of auditioning. You’ll also need
to get used to the sound of your own voice, because you’ll be hearing it. A
lot. Repeat: A lot.
     
Finally, whatever area or areas you choose, all voiceover boils down to one
thing: acting. You can have a deep, resonant voice, or you may be able to do
hundreds of impressions and accents, but if you can’t act, you’ll have trouble
finding work. At the end of the day, voiceover is about taking words that some
other person wrote and making them sound like they’re your own. It’s as easy,
and as challenging, as that.
     
     
    Where