Welcome!
“HOW DO I GET INTO VOICE OVERS?”
I’ve got a lot to say when I’m asked that. Perhaps too much to say. It’s a question that deserves a thorough answer, though, so I’ve built you this site.
I’ve tried to lay out everything I’ve learned in becoming a voice actor. It’s a mostly invisible career, though that is now changing. It was a career I never imagined existed until I was in my thirties.
My advice will favor voice acting in television series, movies and video games, though much of what I have to say applies easily to other branches of v.o. (promos, commercials, or narration, for example) as well as on-camera. Each branch emphasizes it’s own characteristic skills– it’s own personality– but to me, it’s all acting.
The path to becoming a professional actor presents all sorts of obstacles, dead ends and pitfalls that I hope to help you avoid. Your path will be uniquely yours, but I want to show you the things I’ve found to be generally true that can hopefully serve as guideposts for all.
Establishing a voice acting career is not just about being “lucky” or merely “wanting it.” It’s about talent, persistence, earned confidence and being ready to take advantage of luck.
Armed with knowledge I’m presenting for you here, you will have a significant advantage over the unfortunate majority who pursue their dreams blindly. I find the hapless strategy of the naive dream-seekers rarely ends well. I prefer a path with better odds.
Best of luck and maybe someday I’ll see you in the studio.
Mr. Baker im a huge fan of your work! Thank you for creating this site!! The information is very vital and very appreciated!
I’m one of those people who is very aware of her abilities and limitations, and I know I’m no actor, voiceover and otherwise. In fact, I totally suck in all performance based arts. But my children, who literally grew up on stage without any coercion from me? They did it all, acting, singing, dancing, playing instruments. (I sat outside in my car when they had rehearsals. Stage moms horrified me.) They are 31, 30 and 27 now. I don’t know if they still have that performance bug, but I’m passing on this information, just in case!
Hey Dee!
First off I just wanted to let you know I’m a big fan of your work and have been following it since I was a kid. Thank you sharing your knowledge with us.
Anyway, right now I’m just looking into voice acting. I’ve been told many times that I should get into voice acting (Of course this is just mostly my friends and family so that’s not really creditable lol), but I’ve come to learn that I really enjoy it. I’ve been into puppetry for over 10 years now and would like to get into the world of voice acting in cartoons or movies someday, but I honestly don’t know where to start. Like I said, I’ve been involved in puppetry for over 10 years and I was on a drama team for 2 years, so I have some on stage and behind the stage experience, but what should I be doing to get into voice over work? I’ve been reading your blog and have read about classes and teachers, but what was the best method for you? Where should I start? I ordered Yuri and Tara’s book, so I hope to learn more from that, but what can I do to get more hands on training? Or more experience?
Thanks,
Kassy
Any performing that is fun for you is good experience. A good improv class is always good to test the waters and start to train your instincts. Research classes and audit programs before signing up and paying the bucks. Good luck!
Hello Mr. Baker! I’m a student at PPCC in colorado springs and i’m a student of Mr. Thomas Paradise who has told me about how you guys did Twelfth Night a while back. I’m an aspiring Voice Actor and am currently involved in the fanbuilt site with lee tockar, and i’m trying and trying my hand at different voices and accents every day. I just wanted to thank you for being an inspiration as well as being a wonderful voice actor, as another colorado college student, you are wonderful!
-Kristofer Keegan
Go for it! My best to Sir Thomas!