Voice-overs and Voice work - FAQs

We are often asked what is involved in becoming a voice-over? Is it sufficient just to have an interesting voice? Do I have to be an actor? Does it pay well? Here are a few FAQs

Is it a skill unique to actors?

Whilst it perfectly suits the temperament and erratic life of an actor, whilst having acting skills will give you a clear advantage over someone who hasn’t, there are no guarantees that being able to act will reap success as a voice-over! And vice versa.

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What makes voice-work different from radio drama?

Well, firstly it’s more about exploiting innate vocal qualities, without the influence of ‘character’, but within the context of dramatic text. It requires a good command of language, the ability to sight read and deliver the text with the right inflection.
Radio commercials in particular demand a high level of skill. There are, of course, no pictures to carry the text. Think of them as ‘audio caricatures’, where all the features of the product have to be emphasised and exaggerated to attract the listener and make the product uniquely identifiable and desirable.

But significantly what sets it apart from acting is the isolation.

Even seasoned actors are often perplexed when faced with performing alone behind a glass panel, overlooked by a sea of faces whilst dealing with the complexities of time-code or fitting an over written script into 30 seconds!

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Will voice work provide a steady income?

In truth, few people currently make a living solely from voice-over work. However, if you have the skill, it may provide an extra source of income and an opportunity to use your creative talents!

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Showreels

In order to find an agent and get work you will need a showreel – a sampler for clients to get a taste of what you sound like.
 
But until you have been advised you have the potential or you feel supremely confident, resist the temptation to invest good money (anything from £100 to £300).

Ideally, your first attempt should be no more than a passport to finding an agent. It need only comprise of two commercials and a short piece of factual narration. Ideally, because not all agents operate the same way, some may expect more.

theShowreel.com - offers an excellent service, including an independent appraisal.

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Showreels – a few guidelines

• Find a professional studio to make your showreel
   
• Two minutes maximum, ideally just one - keep extracts reasonably short (as a guide, 10 - 15 seconds max).
   
• Include commercials and an extract of factual narration (from a documentary for example).
   
• Avoid monologues, book-readings and poetry.

• Make them as authentic as possible by adding appropriate music and sound effects if possible.
   
• Crucially, begin with the most representative example of your voice.
   
• Find subjects that suit you. Choosing the right script to demonstrate your voice is vitally important. Be aware of your vocal quality. Is it likely to be chosen to describe the food shortage in Darfur or the nightlife in Ibiza?
   
• Avoid topical themes as these date easily.
   
• Avoid mentioning specific dates for the same reason.
   
• Avoid using material with voices of the same gender.
   
• Always play to your strengths!! Do what you do… well!
   
• Avoid any performance that has taken a long time to perfect in the studio and can’t easily be reproduced ‘live’.
   
• Avoid accents unless they are authentic – there are plenty of genuine regional voices available.
   
• Once you start getting work, collect as many copies as you can to keep your showreel current.

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Listen!

• Listen to commercials, and documentaries… really LISTEN! Note the variety of read styles, the different vocal attitudes, tone, pace, intonation etc and try to place yourself in appropriate categories.
   
• Listen to showreels, their content and how they are constructed. Check them out on this site.

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What else can I do?

Copy the words from TV or radio commercials and read them aloud. Use a stopwatch to compare your reading with the original. Having a sense of timing and an innate feel for the length of a commercial is a great asset. If you record your efforts to gauge your progress, you will also become acclimatised to hearing the sound of your own voice!

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How do I get an Agent?

There is a school of thought that rejects the idea of having an agent in favour of self promotion. Whilst clearly biased, we nonetheless feel that if you hope to get into mainstream voice work, this is a demanding and often frustrating route to take. Of those that have spent time, effort and money, there are few, if any, examples of long-term, continued success.

Although the list of voice-over agents has swelled considerably over the years, so too have the number of budding voices. Therefore, most agencies are over subscribed. Finding representation will take time unless you happen to have a particularly unusual voice quality or a native accent that’s missing from the agency roster. Nonetheless, there is a list of voice-over agents in Contacts (published by Spotlight), so once your showreel has been made it’s worth a mail-shot, either by email or post. But be prepared to wait for a response as most agencies get inundated every week and, be mindful too, that sadly, not all do respond!

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Do I have to be based in London?

It’s not essential, but being available for a session at short notice, is often advantageous and London is the home of many UK advertising agencies and post-production studios!
 

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