Voice over artists read scripts off-screen and record audio for media productions. They can work on a variety of projects, including commercials, trailers, animation, educational videos, and audiobooks. Some even specialize in particular types of roles, such as a character actor or mimic. Voice actors may also narrate documentary films or radio dramas.
To excel at this career, a voice over artist needs to have a clear, pleasant, and soothing voice that can convey emotions in a natural way. This voice should be recorded at a comfortable volume that will not strain the vocal cords, and it should be consistent. It is also important to have a strong work ethic, as it can take time for voice talents to find jobs and build their portfolios.
Aspiring voice over actors should create a demo reel that includes several different types of recordings, including some examples of commercial, narration, and animation voice acting. These recordings will demonstrate the voice talent’s range and give a sense of how they would sound in each role. The next step is to find opportunities and audition for projects. This can be done by contacting production companies and submitting demo reels to casting agents.
Once a professional has established themselves in the industry, they can begin to build a regular schedule with clients and find repeat work. This can be accomplished by forming strong working relationships with large video game or animation studios, or by finding casting agencies that specialize in this field.
A good voice over artist should be able to adjust quickly to the direction of a director, dialogue editor, or recording engineer. This includes adjusting the loudness, softness, and tone of their voice as well as stressing parts of sentences. It is also important for them to be able to channel different feelings into their microphone, such as excitement or fear.
It is helpful for voice over artists to have acting skills, as they are often asked to portray a specific character in the project. For example, a voice actor cast as the young, optimistic main character in an adventure video game will need to sound exciting and believable to immerse players into their character’s world. Another common example is a narrator who must communicate the authority and credibility of an expert or product.
One of the most popular voices in the world is Don LaFontaine, who narrated countless movie trailers and commercials. Other famous voice over artists include Morgan Freeman and Sir David Attenborough, both of whom have narrated documentaries on subjects such as wildlife and natural history. Voice actors can also be found on the radio, where they read news and weather reports, as well as voicing characters for podcasts. In the past, most voice acting was done in-person in a studio, but modern technology has enabled voice actors to complete projects from the comfort of their own homes or wherever else they choose. This has made the profession more accessible to people with busy lives.