How Do You Get Voice Over Jobs?

Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Kung Fu Panda, Voice Over Jobs Getty Images via Daylife

Have you ever thought about trying to get voice over jobs?  If you have, you probably have no idea where to begin.

Even children can get voice over jobs. And voice over jobs can be quite fun and profitable.

When my daughter did voice over jobs, they were great. I had no special clothing to dress her in, and I did not have to worry about how she looked.

And even better, we were in and out of the studio in a short amount of time.

For me,  finding the studio was actually the hardest part of the job!

The following is an interesting article by Jeffrey Leclair providing some tips to help you get started in voice over.  The title of this article, which I have copied below for you to read, is:  Voice-Over Actor Talent Tips!

So “How Do You Get Voice Over Jobs?”

Voice-Over Actor Talent Tips!
By Jeffrey Leclair

If you are entertaining the idea of breaking into voiceovers, your voice over demo is an absolutely essential marketing tool. Not having a voice demo is like an actor trying to get work without a head shot. Your voice demo is your business card to the voice industry and you cannot work without it.

Just as models include tear sheets in their portfolios, established voice talent make a short (usually 90 second) compilation of current voice over work. They duplicate this on CD and send the discs to producers, casting directors, and clients who keep them on file for future voice work consideration. Often, talent are hired right from their voice over demos. In many cases, they must audition for the job.

No one in the voice over industry wants to work with a beginner who has little, or no voice over experience. To break into voiceovers you must produce a voice demo that sounds like you have worked before. The samples you include on the voice demo you make (or have made for you) should sound like they are actual spots that could have been on the air.

If you can find a good voice coach, this is something that is highly recommended. If you do look for a voice coach, be sure they have good references. You need a coach who understands what the advertising agencies and producers are listening for in professional voice over talent. Don’t make your voice over demo before you are ready. Find a coach who will help you build your skills before you make the investment in the studio. If there is no voiceover coach in your area, search the internet for reputable long distance coaching.

Every great voice demo starts with good commercial copy. Well written voice over scripts showcase your reads with different emotions – roles – energies, and that the market requires. Be sure to strive for variety on your voice over demo. Select voice over scripts that show the full range of what you are cpable. Good voice over scripts can be hard to find. Make sure the resource your choose has multiple script categories including Commercials, Corporate, Narration’s, Promos, Public Service announcements – just about every kind of voice over recording you may come up against.

A competitive voice over demo should produced in a professional recording studio which has the proper background music and sound effects to put behind your voice. Studios can be expensive. Costs average $50-$100 an hour or more, depending on the caliber of the facility and location. It can take as long as 8 hours (or more) for a beginner to produce a professional voice over demo, including recording, editing , music selection and the final mix. Once the voice demo is produced, you’ll also have to pay for the duplication of your demo and mailing costs.

Be sure to shop around before committing to a studio to record your voice over demo. Recording studio rates are competitive. Many studios even offer special voice over demo package deals for voice talent. Check out the studio before you invest in making your voice over demo. Make an appointment with the studio to just go in a take a look at their facilities. Is it soundproof? Is the recording staff pleasant? Will you feel comfortable recording there? Do they have voice over scripts available? Have the studio play you samples of other voice talent demos they’ve made.

You will want to choose a studio which is used by voice over artists. They’ll have lots of experience in working with voice talent and should have everything you need.

It is good practice to warm up before your voice over session. Athletes, Dancers, and singers warm up. Voice over actors should do the same! After all, you are The specific muscles used to perform your craft should be kept ‘toned’ by using voice warm-up exercises. Relax your neck, stretch your face and shoulders, open your mouth wide, or perform your favorite tongue twisters. By warming up your voice you speak more clearly. and also relax you. When you enter a studio for your session, being relaxed is very important in order to zero in and find your character quickly. Follow this advice and you will make the most out of your voice over session.

Don’t duplicate more than 50 voice over CDs at a time. After you’ve sent out your first 50 cds and received feedback, you’ll know whether or not you’ll have to go back into the studio for some fine-tuning to your voice over demo!

Jeffrey Leclair is founder and president of JL Studios recording in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
For more information visit the studio at http://www.jlstudios.ca

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Leclair
http://EzineArticles.com/?Voice-Over-Actor-Talent-Tips!&id=865532

For more information on voice over and other topics related to getting started in show business, subscribe to Your Young Actor’s Newsletter.

To your success,
Debbie Sikkema

14 Comments

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  By Paul Strikwerda, October 8, 2009 @ 4:39 am

  Hi Debbie:

  As you might have gathered from my last name, I come from the place your ancestors called home: Friesland. I’m a voice-over actor living and working on the East Coast, and I absolutely love what I do.I also know that this line of work is often misunderstood, misrepresented and romanticized. So, before taking the plunge, I would strongly encourage people to read two things:

  http://nethervoice.com/nethervoice/2009/06/09/busting-five-voice-over-myths-2/

  This is an article I wrote to warn people young and old, before they make any major investments and get their hopes up. It’s not my intention to make it rain on your parade, but I think it’s good to know what you might be getting yourself (or your child) into.

  Secondly, my colleague Pete O’Conell has a free e-book called “The voiceover entrance exam”.

  http://www.audioconnell.com/clientuploads/pdf/The_Voice_Over_Entrance_Exam_by_Peter_K_OConnell_Copyright_2009.pdf

  As far as I’m concerned, it’s required reading!

  From experience I know that there are plenty of people willing to take your money, making all kinds of promises. Think twice before signing on the dotted line!

  Best of luck!

• 

  By Tim from Voiceovers, October 8, 2009 @ 5:17 am

  There’s some great information here. I think the most important thing mentioned is the training aspect. Too many people think that just because they can read aloud, they can do voiceover. It’s not as simple as that. In addition, steer clear of coaches who promise to produce a demo for you at the end of your training. Only produce your demo when you’re ready.

• 

  By Debbie Sikkema, October 8, 2009 @ 1:56 pm

  Hi Paul,

  Nice to “meet” you. It is my husband’s family who are Dutch. Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I plan to do more blogging on this topic, and you are certainly right that it is not as easy as many might think. I plan to provide a lot of additional information about this, including my typical warnings about how competitive it is. What is good about voiceover is that you don’t have to be in the middle of the entertainment industry (L.A., New York, or other places where there is a lot of film and tv activity) to do voiceover. For that reason, I decided it might be a good topic to provide information on for people who visit my blog. It is at least something they can consider looking into if they don’t want to relocate. –Debbie

• 

  By Debbie Sikkema, October 8, 2009 @ 2:01 pm

  Hi Tim,

  Thanks for reading and commenting on this topic. I agree with you that voiceover training is important and that it is not as simple as reading. For adults I think it is much more difficult than for kids. My daughter was able to book several voiceover jobs without having any training or a demo, though she booked them through her talent agency. She just had the perfect kids voice for what they were looking for. Even for kids, to really have the chance to do much work in voiceover, good training and a demo are important. –Debbie

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  By Tim from Voiceovers, October 9, 2009 @ 4:42 am

  Hi Debbie,

  That’s wonderful that your daughter was able to book those jobs. I’ve run into a number of people over the years who just seem to have that inborn talent. A lot of it comes from being able to “hear” in your head what it’s supposed to sound like then being able to perform that. The nice thing too, is if she keeps at it, she can continue to do voiceover through the rest of her life, just booking different age ranges as she gets older.

• 

  By Ventego, October 15, 2009 @ 3:44 am

  In truth, immediately i didn’t understand the essence. But after re-reading all at once became clear.

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  By Zurich from canadian mortgage insurance quotes, October 17, 2009 @ 10:20 am

  Hi, voice over job is really a good that evenly only a child can do this job. I like voice over jobs cause it will not cause you a lot, like what you’ve said on this article, you do not have to dress well and to have a glamorous look. You just have to have a good voice and communication skill.. Thanks for this very good fact..

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  By anonymous, October 18, 2009 @ 10:53 pm

  Splendid article . Will definitely copy it to my blog.Thanks.

• 

  By Clemento, October 19, 2009 @ 9:03 pm

  Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.

• 

  By Janet Ault, October 22, 2009 @ 10:12 am

  Hi Debbie,

  I have to say that I liked your article very much. I have been in the business for over ten years and I fully believe that it’s crucial to keep learning and keep practicing. I still take improv and voice acting lessons. I know that it continues to sharpen my skills and helps me get my work done fast and efficiently. My suggestion is to just keep learning and never stop.

• 

  By Crasty, October 22, 2009 @ 10:19 am

  Very interesting and amusing subject. I read with great pleasure.

• 

  By Crasty, November 4, 2009 @ 11:14 am

  I read a few topics. I respect your work and added blog to favorites.

• 

  By Jamie Xuereb from Custom, November 5, 2009 @ 3:29 am

  recently i’ve read one article that celebrities and singers uses therapies in order to warm up their voices and charges of such therapies goes in thousands of dollars.

• 

  By Jamie Xuereb from Custom Stickers, Australia, November 9, 2009 @ 3:15 am

  This is new approach for me, as a student of Sound Engineering i m too close to all these facts, thank you for introducing me to this fact.

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