Voiceover artists often work from home and are able to fit their job around their personal schedule. They are able to perform a wide variety of projects and often have quick turnaround times.
They are heard in radio and television commercials, trailers, animation, narration, on-line media and video game audiobooks. Some are experienced actors, singers, and DJs; others have no previous performance experience.
Versatility
While a great voice is crucial, most professional voice actors possess a wide range of other soft skills that help them find and keep work. They must be able to adjust their performance to match the direction of a producer, director, or dialogue editor. They must be flexible enough to take on new challenges outside their comfort zone, and they must be willing to put in the time to improve their skills.
Luckily, the days when voice actors had to be located in specific cities or travel to expensive studios to record demo recordings for clients are long gone. Most seasoned voice artists have their own home studios that can produce high-quality audio. A typical setup includes a soundproof room with acoustic treatment, recording software, and a quality microphone.
Whether you’re looking to build your career or add voice acting to an existing one, it’s important to have a portfolio that showcases your talent. This can be done by creating a demo reel with snippets of different types of recordings that demonstrate your versatility.
Clear Diction
A voiceover artist’s ability to articulate words clearly is crucial. This means that they don’t swallow their words or mumble, and that their accent is clear (depending on the requirements of the recording).
In a video, good diction also helps in delivering the content and creating a believable character. It ensures that the viewer understands what is being said and builds a strong connection with them.
A skilled voice actor can narrate a complex subject in a simple way to keep the audience engaged and prevent information overload. They can also use a variety of articulation to make the sounds of their voices more realistic. This allows them to convey the emotions that the visuals are aiming for in the video. This creates an authentic connection with the viewers and makes them more likely to come back and share the video. Additionally, it increases the accessibility of the video by providing closed captions for people with impaired eyesight.
Emotional Range
A voiceover artist must be able to convey a wide variety of emotions through their voice. This allows audiences to connect with the content, making it more relatable and enticing. Emotional range is also important for narrators, as they must read long passages of text while maintaining consistency and clarity.
Whether they’re recording for a documentary or commercial, voiceover artists need to have a range of tones and styles. This versatility comes from practicing and preparing for different projects. For example, a narration job may require an eloquent and refined tone, while a character voiceover may call for something more casual and youthful.
Marketing yourself as a voiceover artist requires a strong social media presence and an impressive demo reel. Showcase your skills by posting short voice samples on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, offering industry insights, and participating in relevant challenges. Providing a diversified portfolio of work will help you attract clients and build a network of professional peers.
Adaptability
Whether they’re voicing an animated character, narrating an educational documentary or commercial, or providing technical support for a piece of software, voiceover artists need to be able to adapt their style and tone to the project at hand. This includes being able to alter their vocal pitch, tempo and pauses when necessary. It’s also helpful for them to practice delivering lines with a variety of emotions to give their work a more personalized touch.
Having an adaptive mindset also allows them to be open to learning new techniques, technologies and processes in order to improve their skillset. They’re willing to try out different approaches and do what it takes to get the job done right, even if that means working at odd hours or traveling for auditions.
Having this flexibility can also help them stay in business and find steady, repeat work. While they might not be able to afford a top-of-the-line studio space, they can create their own home recording environment by soundproofing a closet or bedroom with mineral wool and acoustic foam.