How to Become A Voice over Artist

You want to become a voice over artist…You are willing to spend time and money to enter this field but don't know how to get started?

You are looking for guidance and eager to know the inside story.

You have spent a lot of time on the internet but did not get the practical advice…right?

Don't worry, keep reading and you'll get what you have been looking for.

Ok, I prefer using the term ‘Voice Actor' and not voice over artist. In this article you'll find me using the terms voice actor and voice acting again and again.

Don't get confused. The terms ‘Voice over Artist', ‘Voice Actor' and ‘Voice over Actor' are the same.

Come closer! I want to tell you a secret – you know what? I can read your mind. Don't believe me?

Ok! Here are the questions you have in your mind about voice acting.

• Who actually is a voice actor?
• Is voice acting easy?

• What does it take to be a voice actor?
• Where to get training for this?
• How should I go about it?
• I have what it takes but don't know what to do?
• How to market myself?

And yeah! Some more…

See, I told you…I can read your mind J

Let's get started

Who Is a Voice Actor?

A voice actor or a voice over artist is a person (male or female) who gives his/her voice for radio, television, documentaries, movies, audio cds etc. (A common example is the announcement in Delhi Metro..Agla station Chandani Chowk hai, Darwaze dayi aur khulenge kripya sawdhani se utre...Next station is Chandni Chowk, doors will open on the right, please mind the gap)

Voice Acting is Easy and Lucrative, Right?

You might be under the impression that voice acting is pretty easy. You don't really have to do anything.  Just stand in front of a microphone, speak some lines and it's done. Get money and go home.  Right?

Wrong!

Like any other field voice acting too is very competitive and requires a lot of dedication and hard work.  Sometimes it might take years before you get to earn a good amount of money and recognition. Are you game?

What does it take to be a Voice Actor?

Well, there is no hard and fast rule for becoming a voice actor. Yes, you must have a good voice to begin with but just like having 5 fingers does not make you an artist, having a good voice alone can not make you a voice actor. You should know what to do with your voice and how?

Here are some basic requirements for a voice actor.

1. A good voice
2. Good command on language you want to make your career in (Hindi, English, Urdu or any other language)
3. Ability to work hard
4. Willingness to learn something new everyday (In terms of language and voice)
5. Ability to make new contacts

Where to Get Training for Voice Acting?

I did not go for any formal training to become a voice actor. I practiced on my own for about 3 years. I remember going to the library to note down difficult Hindi words from Hindi Shabdhosh almost 4 days a week for about 1 year. It took me a little longer to break into voice acting because there was no body to coach me.  So, you might consider getting a basic training in voice acting.

There are many people and institutes who claim to make you a Radio Jockey or Voice Actor. All you have to do is to pay them money.

Beware of them!

They can suck money out of you.

If money could make anyone a voice actor then possibly anyone can become a voice actor but believe me this is not the case.

Even if you invest a lot of money in voice training, there can be no guarantee if you'll be successful.

I am not suggesting that all of them are that way but proper research and home work before shelling out money to any such institute is a must. Some of them might be good while some might me good for nothing.

At one point of time I was looking for some voice over artists for the radio channel I was working for and had called some people for audition.

Many people came and there was this guy who had done some kind of course from a very famous radio jockeying and voice over training institute in Delhi. To my surprise he did not even know how to stand in front of a microphone.

I am not discouraging you but you should know if you really have the talent. It can save you a lot of time and money. Otherwise you are bound to find some one who can tell you "Oh! Who says you can't become a voice actor? Just give me the money and I'll make you one in days"

Be careful!

What is the Right Strategy to become a Voice Actor?

Before you get started it would be better to analyze where you stand.

First thing, analyze your voice. How do you do that?

Take a small piece of text from newspaper, magazine, text book or anything, read it aloud and record your voice in mobile phone or any voice recording device. Listen to it as if it is someone else's voice and answer these questions

Does it sound lively (Like the professional Radio Jockeys and Voice Actors?)

Is it appealing?

How many fumbles and faltering you can notice?

How did you feel while listening?

How long you can listen to this kind of voice?

Can you see any space for improvement?

Analyze it objectively and you'll get the idea. This analysis will help you choose the right direction.  It would be better if you could get it analyzed by a professional voice actor.

He may be able to give you an honest feedback about your voice and many other things which you might not have considered before.

I Have Got the Voice, Now What?

Start polishing your voice.

Take a book, magazine, newspaper, text book, novel or anything to read from.

Stand in a corner of a room, stretch your jaw muscles, open your mouth wide open.

Open it the same way you do while yawning. Do it slowly easily.

Do this couple of times and then start reading ALOUD. It is important to read aloud.

Reading aloud helps you open up and challenge your vocal chords.

Why in a corner?

Because the corner reflects back your voice which helps you keep track of the speed, diction and overall performance. In other words you get instant feedback.

Do this exercise everyday for 10-20 minutes and soon you'll notice improvement in the quality of your voice and confidence.

Pay Attention to Radio and TV

The best way to learn voice acting is to pay attention to Radio and Television. It will give you an idea about many things. Such as…

• How do professional voice actors sound?
• Right diction
• How do they modulate their voice?
• How do they put emotions in the voice?
• Where and why do they take pauses and what is the impact of those pauses?

Keep on practicing and soon you'll start getting it right. Voice acting is a field where you are supposed to be very competent. There is no short cut; you have to work hard to make yourself better everyday.

You should know…

How to put emotions in the words?

How to say the script in given amount of time?

How to modulate your voice to suit the need of script?

How to make your voice sound rich and cultured?

Prepare Your Voice Samples.

After practicing for some time, you can consider getting a demo CD ready.

A demo CD is a compilation of your voice samples.

For this you need to prepare script for different genres like

• Documentaries
• Corporate films
• Advertisements
• Drama
• Narrations
• Jingles (If you sing)

You can search the internet. There are many free scripts available online. If you can not find the right ones, collect them from text books, magazines, newspapers, radio and television. Keep your scripts crisp and professional.

Most of your voice samples should be within the range of 15-40 seconds. (A guy had sent me a voice recording of 30 minutes; I did not listen to it simply because I did not want to sit for 30 minutes.)

Keep your voice samples short and crisp it'll improve your chances of getting heard.

Once you have your scripts ready, practice them well. Try modulating your voice in different styles. Read aloud, read normally, read with anger, read with sincerity, read with enthusiasm, read with sarcasm and notice the difference.

Never ever record at home on your computer. You are aspiring to become a professional voice actor and your voice samples should sound PROFESSIONAL.

Search for some good professional sound studios in your city.

Call them up and ask if they produce demo CDs. Do not hesitate to ask for some of the work samples they have done.

Also, inquire about the studio charges. Usually they charge on per hour basis and the amount could vary from 500- 1500 rupees per hour.

Do proper research, hire a studio, make an appointment and record your demo CD.

On an average it should take you 2-3 hours including the time required for editing and mixing.

Always have your voice samples in MP3 format. Wave format takes longer to get uploaded and downloaded and thus reduces your chances of getting heard. Will you download something that'll take 20 minutes to get downloaded?

Market Yourself

Once you get your voice samples start marketing yourself.

Get a list of sound studios, radio & TV channels and production houses. You can find it on the internet.

Call them up one by one, introduce yourself and ask if you can send them your voice samples. Make a list of all who said yes and send your voice samples ASAP.

Market yourself online

It always pays to have a web presence. There are many website that allow you to create an account for free.  You can upload your voice samples, make your profile and let people know you exist in the voice over market.

A word of caution

Post your email id or phone number on genuine and reliable websites only. Don't post it on any suspicious looking website where you feel it could be misused. You might get some absurd/obscene emails or phone calls/messages.

This is true for both girls and boys. (I had gotten a couple messages from a gentleman who wanted to show me heaven on earth)

The best way to handle such things is to ignore them completely.

Don't let this discourage you; it is part of the game. Just be careful.

Follow Up

It is important to follow up.

Wait for 15-20 days and call the places you had sent your voice samples to.

Ask politely if they have some voice over work for you? Remember not to bother them every alternate day. It'll only piss them off.

Initially you will be able to get small voice over assignments. The budget might be low or medium and sometimes you might even have to work for free as well.

Don't crib, this is your learning phase, it takes time to build rapport with people and get work. Make as many useful contacts as you can. The amount of voice over work you get every month also depends upon how good you are at making contacts.

Beware of Vultures

Like any other industry there are frauds in voice over field too.

They can guarantee you big and lucrative projects only to suck money out of you.

Not only that, they can exploit you sexually as well.

Be cautious and deicide for yourself what road you want to take. If you think there is nothing wrong in it, go ahead.

And lastly- Be persistent!

Happy Voicing!!!