How To Get a Job Doing Voice-Overs

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Everyone tells you that you have a great voice. Here's how you can parlay that gift into a career.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Voice-over training
A demo tape
Persistence
A green apple

Step 1: Take a class

Take a voice-over class; there's a lot more to the field than having a pleasant voice. A good workshop will teach you the technical aspects of the business, like studio terminology and how to use the microphone correctly.

Tip: Find a teacher who is in the business, like a talent agent or someone who works for a major ad agency.

Step 2: Practice

Practice reading out loud, and tape your practice sessions so you can see where you need improvement.

Step 3: Get gigs

Seek out gigs doing voice-over work for indie or student films, where you probably won't get paid but will get valuable experience and material for your demo.

Tip: Avoid dairy, alcohol, and caffeine before an audition or gig—and eat some green apples slices, which can cut through mucus in the mouth and throat.

Step 4: Embrace your voice

Embrace your voice. If you have an accent, search for work that requires it.

Step 5: Breathe deeply

Practice proper breathing. Don't breathe from your chest—breathe deeply from your diaphragm.

Step 6: Read

When you're not working, read, read, read. You'll improve your vocabulary, which will make you seem more professional—producers don't enjoy wasting time teaching artists proper pronunciation.

Step 7: Make a demo

Make a short demo tape. Consider using software that enhances your voice by blocking out background noise.

Step 8: Post your demo

Make a profile and post your demo on online voice markets like voices.com. Also, check out schools—some will let you post your demo online for a fee.

Step 9: Find an agent

Do a mass mailing of your demo tape to agents who represent voice-over artists.

Step 10: Follow up

Follow up if you don't receive a response in a few weeks. Persistence often pays off.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• job
• doing
• voice-overs
• howto
• howcast
• acting
• hollywood

[Lynchoguy]

1:47 "intersted"

:P fail

[dhvoice]

a few nits to pick:

1) I think we're well past the age of the demo "tape". Most VO demos these days exist in MP3 or audio CD form, and are usually delivered via those methods as well.

2) The Julia Roberts tag makes for a nice bit of trivia, but I hope no aspiring VO artists are under the impression that there's a million-dollar paycheck out there waiting for their voice to grace a national TV spot. (Unless they intend to become huge movie stars before tackling the world of voiceover...)

[voicesdotcom]

Thanks for the shout out! Voices.com is the industry leading website that connects businesses with professional voice talents. Radio and television stations, advertising agencies and Fortune 500 companies rely upon the Voices.com marketplace to search for, audition and hire voice talents with the assistance of our innovative SurePay™ escrow service and our award-winning Web application

[FamilyGuyRules4evr]

omg that was you!!!! voice over lady!!! dudeee u gotz a pretty nice voice!

[MOVIETRAILERVOICE1]

There are thousands of people doing this. If you are great do it. If not, do not waste your time. Here how it is done here.Iposted these as examples. Been in the business a long time.

[jq3386]

@Lynchoguy -Hahahahaha

[SamsonProductions1]

This is great, thankyou!!!

[HowlingMonki]

@AlinahIqbal1 I've been wanting to be a voice overist for a cartoon character since I learned this profession existed too, but just a word of advice to you, when I read a book on voice acting it said that those who are cartoon voice actors are high level actors. (this crushed me when I first read it as I never saw myself as an experienced or extremely talented actor) Regardless, I love that you have a special voice that you love to use, and I wish you the best of luck in reaching your goal! :)