{"id":2026,"date":"2016-12-24T03:16:23","date_gmt":"2016-12-24T03:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=2026"},"modified":"2017-09-24T06:54:39","modified_gmt":"2017-09-24T06:54:39","slug":"what-does-it-take-to-break-into-voiceovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/what-does-it-take-to-break-into-voiceovers\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does it Take to Break into Voiceovers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Does it Take to Break into Voiceovers?<\/h3>\n \"\"<\/a><\/span>

Written by\u00a0Ginny Kopf<\/p>\n

December 20, 2016<\/p>\n<\/font>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

\u201cHaving talent\u201d is just one small part of making it in voiceovers!<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0You must be a flawless sight reader.<\/h4>\n
\"\"<\/span><\/div>

How do I do that?<\/strong> Simple: read aloud every day for at least 20 minutes.\u00a0 This develops perfect eye-to-mouth coordination, breath control, your acting chops, and ability to change your voice quickly. Build endurance so that you could read 2 hours with no mistakes–even up to 6 hours.\u00a0 Challenge yourself with all kinds of material.<\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

2.\u00a0You must be directable.<\/h4>\n
\"\"<\/span><\/div>

This is what producers ask for: \u00a0someone directable, not \u201cthe gal that can do a hundred funny voices,\u201d or \u201cthe guy with the low, rich, Morgan Freeman voice.\u201d If you\u2019re directable, then they can get you there with very little coaching.<\/p>\n

How do I do that?<\/strong>\u00a0Take acting and voiceover workshops to stay sharp about taking direction quickly. Learn the voiceover lingo. Learn how producers give direction in the studio with very little coaching or with picky technical notes. This is different than working with a stage director.<\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

3.\u00a0You need to be comfortable and professional in a studio.<\/h4>\n
\"\"<\/span><\/div>

Too many \u2018talented\u2019 people freeze up when they get in a studio, just because they don\u2019t have enough experience.<\/p>\n

How do I do that?<\/strong>\u00a0First get experience in a real studio by volunteering. Do student projects at Full Sail (if you live in Orlando) or local college film and sound programs. Answer ads for volunteers.\u00a0 Ask friends and family if you can do their voicemail message or web site.\u00a0 If you have your own studio (and you should) then play and explore every day. Learn mic technique so you keep your mouth \u201con axis\u201d of the mic and don\u2019t shift away from it in your enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

4.\u00a0Work on your Neutral American speech.<\/h4>\n
\"\"<\/span><\/div>

How do I do that?\u00a0<\/strong>Actually, 75% of the work is narrations, tutorials, and technical reads, so develop your own \u201creal\u201d voice, not just your fun character voices. You may need a coach if you have a Southern, Midwestern, or Northern regionalism. Even if you want to do animation, at some point you\u2019ll have to play the \u201cadult,\u201d the narrator, teacher, or newscaster.<\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

5.\u00a0Know the playing field.<\/h4>\n
\"\"<\/span><\/div>

You need to know everything about this field and how to market yourself. And listen, listen, listen, to discover all that it will take to \u201csell\u201d your voice.<\/p>\n

How do I do that?<\/strong>\u00a0Part of your daily workout should be to listen–really listen\u2014to voiceovers everywhere.\u00a0 Mimic and learn. Channel surf the TV, radio and online, like commercials, tutorials, documentaries, science or health shows, and of course cartoons and video games. Being familiar with types and styles of voices being hired will help you to be able to take the producer\u2019s direction when they ask for certain voices.\u00a0 There are lots of voiceover sites, books, and articles to equip you with the knowledge you need about the field and how to market your talent.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s so much more than just having a great voice!<\/p>\n

Need some advice? We\u2019ve got you covered.<\/h3>\n