It can all be summed up in one word - demo.
For the voice over actor who is entering the scene...
It is essential to create a first rate voice over demo in order to be seriously considered by any reputable talent agency. Not only does this demonstrate your talent and your voice print as to where you might fit into an existing client list, it is the key marketing/promotional tool that your agent must have available in order to assist in selling you to potential buyers.
Of course, one must train to some degree in this field to determine natural skill and also to acquire basic approach to interpretation and execution of copy. Many actors who have enjoyed considerable success as an on camera performer often believe that they are prepared to branch into voice over simply predicated on that on camera proficiency. More often than not, that is not the case. It is more than highly recommended that one study the craft of voice over before spending time and money on producing a voice over demo.
Your demo should be approximately one minute in length. A little longer is fine just as long as every second over that initial 60 truly adds to the quality and depth of your presentation.
Your demo should be professionally recorded and produced. Do not do a home made demo unless you have a professional quality computer program and engineer available to you. You cannot erase a negative first impression should you submit something that sounds as if you recorded it under a tent of blankets with a cassette recorder at home. Not good.
Your demo must sound current. If you do have recent actual voice over work that you have performed, you certainly should lead with that - so long as it accurately reflects you and your sound in a positive and polished fashion. The key word here is 'recent'. If you have spots from several years back and have not done any real voice over since then, you most likely will have to leave those spots off. Not only has your voice most likely changed (even subtly) - copy can sound dated in tone and style as most copy is written to reflect some aspect of current popular culture.
Know your genres of voice over. Television and radio advertising voice overs, promos, trailers, video games, animation, narration, etc. Each is a separate discipline of study and must be approached as such. As an example, success and skill in television advertising voice over does not necessarily translate into the same success and skill in animation or in trailers or in narration. You get the picture.
You do not want to be perceived as a 'jack of all trades - master of none'. It is best to find that genre of voice over in which you are most organically comfortable working. You must find a coach or teacher to assist you in identifying your 'money voice'. What is the most immediate need in the current market place that your voice can fill? It goes without saying that many actors are able to earn their voice over livings by crossing over many genres, however, for the beginner, strengthen that which comes most naturally and is most likely to be bought and then build out your repertoire.
Stay tuned for our next post...more to come..
For the voice over actor who is entering the scene...
It is essential to create a first rate voice over demo in order to be seriously considered by any reputable talent agency. Not only does this demonstrate your talent and your voice print as to where you might fit into an existing client list, it is the key marketing/promotional tool that your agent must have available in order to assist in selling you to potential buyers.
Of course, one must train to some degree in this field to determine natural skill and also to acquire basic approach to interpretation and execution of copy. Many actors who have enjoyed considerable success as an on camera performer often believe that they are prepared to branch into voice over simply predicated on that on camera proficiency. More often than not, that is not the case. It is more than highly recommended that one study the craft of voice over before spending time and money on producing a voice over demo.
Your demo should be approximately one minute in length. A little longer is fine just as long as every second over that initial 60 truly adds to the quality and depth of your presentation.
Your demo should be professionally recorded and produced. Do not do a home made demo unless you have a professional quality computer program and engineer available to you. You cannot erase a negative first impression should you submit something that sounds as if you recorded it under a tent of blankets with a cassette recorder at home. Not good.
Your demo must sound current. If you do have recent actual voice over work that you have performed, you certainly should lead with that - so long as it accurately reflects you and your sound in a positive and polished fashion. The key word here is 'recent'. If you have spots from several years back and have not done any real voice over since then, you most likely will have to leave those spots off. Not only has your voice most likely changed (even subtly) - copy can sound dated in tone and style as most copy is written to reflect some aspect of current popular culture.
Know your genres of voice over. Television and radio advertising voice overs, promos, trailers, video games, animation, narration, etc. Each is a separate discipline of study and must be approached as such. As an example, success and skill in television advertising voice over does not necessarily translate into the same success and skill in animation or in trailers or in narration. You get the picture.
You do not want to be perceived as a 'jack of all trades - master of none'. It is best to find that genre of voice over in which you are most organically comfortable working. You must find a coach or teacher to assist you in identifying your 'money voice'. What is the most immediate need in the current market place that your voice can fill? It goes without saying that many actors are able to earn their voice over livings by crossing over many genres, however, for the beginner, strengthen that which comes most naturally and is most likely to be bought and then build out your repertoire.
Stay tuned for our next post...more to come..
Hi Addison,
ReplyDeleteDo you have any recommendations of a v/o class that will result in recording a top quality demo? I have so many solicitations for such classes, but don't know who to trust.
Thank you for your advice!
Stephanie
Addison, to echo Stephanie's question... You mention personal coaches who can help identify the "money voice." Can you please recommend some names for some private trainers...? Thank you!!! Sara
ReplyDelete