“HOW DO I GET INTO VOICE OVERS?”
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Welcome to the web’s most comprehensive resource covering the art, craft and career of voice acting!
This site is for all levels of ability- from those utterly new to voice acting to amateurs to working pros. You’ll find no fees and no adds- just practical, encouraging insight.
I’ve distilled for you what I’ve learned from my over three decades as a professional voice actor in Hollywood, as well as five decades of live performing.
Whether you’re looking for a quick overview or a career-expanding deep dive, you’ve come to the right place!
Check back often for frequent updates and additions!
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Beginners:
Those new to voice acting and all curious amateurs should start by reading my FAQ and VO Myths pages.
If you are new to acting check the pages under the “Starting from Zero” dropdown menu above.
More advanced performers :
More experienced performers will find specifics on advanced topics like how to make a demo, how to audition, what happens in a session and how get an agent, as well as broader discussion of the career of voice acting for those suited to it.
Pandemic/ Work from Home Pages!
For a breakdown of risks of early return to in-studio recording CLICK HERE.
COVID has rendered VO fully mobile! For my Working from Home pages CLICK HERE.
For a new page for experienced performers ready to start: CLICK HERE.
After giving my site (as well as posted comments) a careful read, if you still have a voice over question, post it (below)!
If my site doesn’t already address your question ask it, and if it is relevant to others, I’ll try to answer it.
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If you enjoy my site, I encourage you to make a donation of any amount to the American Humane Association, a wonderful charity that helps protect children, pets and farm animals from abuse and neglect.
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I don’t live in the US and I feel like a lot of this info is geared towards people who live in the US or even L.A. specifically. Does where you live really matter that much or can you find work anywhere?
Yes, this site is Hollywood-centered and with an emphasis on union level VO work and pay. Most union-based animation studios have headquarters in LA LA Land, most union content originates there and most top level VO is recorded there for movies, TV and games. Talent may be scattered but the nuts and bolts and corporate structure is still in the So Cal area for most (not all) projects.
This site views non-union VO work as a stepping stone and so I don’t dwell on it. My experience is it’s something to get past rather than aim for. This site is for people who want to make a living at VO as creative entrepreneurs, while also encouraging amateurs and curious beginners.
Regarding wanting LA-caliber work without having to move there, see my FAQ #11. You could maybe find VO work or some kind of a career from anywhere theoretically, I guess. But I don’t know anyone who has a good VO career and tempered talent who didn’t first establish themselves in the community of “gate keepers” and creatives face-to-face in the city where the work, the shows and games they wanted to be a part of existed.
[…] it’s only been a few months [I have] insecurity about my new agency dropping me because I’m not booking or getting callbacks[…]
Check new blog post at: https://iwanttobeavoiceactor.com/2022/10/05/newly-signed-and-worried/
[should I…} upgrade [my set up ] to a mac mini for more memory and processing power for edits. […] should I wait to upgrade or jump the gun with the anticipation of getting work? [ ]
You don’t need much processing power for editing an audition. A VO session requires zero editing on the actor’s part. Most important checklist items would be: fast, wired internet connection, sufficiently powerful processing & memory to handle a Zoom session plus audio recording and good booth acoustics. Above all, acting and improv chops are key, for without those, auditions will stumble and work will not flow. I’m always more focused on upgrading one’s craft over tech, but if you can afford it, better tech is not a bad thing.