4 answers
Pearl
Student
10
Questions
Updated
510 views
How to get myself into the Voice acting world (Games)?
I've known a few games with voice acted characters, and I wonder: How do they find them? Is there a special website for hiring VA for games/small shows? Do I contact them personally to audition? How can I if they don't use a website for "open auditions" or if they are too small to have a company/organization?
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4 answers
Michael Howard
Creative Director
16
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hello Pearl,
I have about 15 years of experience in the video game industry, working in marketing, production, and development. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to do voice acting for the NBA 2K series (crowd chants) and I have recorded voice actors for Mafia II and Top Spin.
One key aspect of voice acting is understanding actors' guilds, as most professionals in the industry are part of one. I recommend researching which guild aligns best with your career goals. Some of the most prominent organizations include:
- Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)
- National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA)
You can also pursue non-union work, but be aware that some companies prioritize hiring union talent due to their agreements with guilds. Union actors typically receive strong industry protections and standardized pay rates, so it’s worth studying the differences between union and non-union opportunities.
Talent Agencies to Explore
If you’re looking to secure professional gigs, consider researching reputable talent agencies that specialize in voice acting, such as:
- Atlas Talent Agency
- CESD (Cunningham Escott Slevin & Doherty)
- DPN Talent (formerly Arlene Thornton & Associates)
- VOX, Inc.
- SBV Talent
- A3 Artists Agency (formerly Abrams Artists Agency)
Building Your Portfolio & Industry Presence
- Leverage Social Media – Use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to showcase your voice work and attract potential clients. Many emerging voice actors gain opportunities by consistently posting content.
- Take Smaller Gigs – Even unpaid or low-paying roles can help you build your resume and gain experience.
- Attend Industry Events - Consider investing in tickets to conventions like the Game Developers Conference (GDC), where many professionals make valuable connections that lead to career opportunities.
There’s no single path to breaking into the industry, but staying proactive, networking, and continually honing your skills will open doors. I hope this helps—wishing you success in your journey!
Best,
Michael
I have about 15 years of experience in the video game industry, working in marketing, production, and development. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to do voice acting for the NBA 2K series (crowd chants) and I have recorded voice actors for Mafia II and Top Spin.
One key aspect of voice acting is understanding actors' guilds, as most professionals in the industry are part of one. I recommend researching which guild aligns best with your career goals. Some of the most prominent organizations include:
- Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)
- National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA)
You can also pursue non-union work, but be aware that some companies prioritize hiring union talent due to their agreements with guilds. Union actors typically receive strong industry protections and standardized pay rates, so it’s worth studying the differences between union and non-union opportunities.
Talent Agencies to Explore
If you’re looking to secure professional gigs, consider researching reputable talent agencies that specialize in voice acting, such as:
- Atlas Talent Agency
- CESD (Cunningham Escott Slevin & Doherty)
- DPN Talent (formerly Arlene Thornton & Associates)
- VOX, Inc.
- SBV Talent
- A3 Artists Agency (formerly Abrams Artists Agency)
Building Your Portfolio & Industry Presence
- Leverage Social Media – Use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to showcase your voice work and attract potential clients. Many emerging voice actors gain opportunities by consistently posting content.
- Take Smaller Gigs – Even unpaid or low-paying roles can help you build your resume and gain experience.
- Attend Industry Events - Consider investing in tickets to conventions like the Game Developers Conference (GDC), where many professionals make valuable connections that lead to career opportunities.
There’s no single path to breaking into the industry, but staying proactive, networking, and continually honing your skills will open doors. I hope this helps—wishing you success in your journey!
Best,
Michael
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Pearl,
Breaking into voice acting for games can be a challenge, but it's totally possible if you're determined. Here’s how you can get started, hope it helps.
.
Build Your Voice Acting Skills
Practice different voices. Try accents, tones, and emotions.
Record yourself. Play back your recordings and refine them.
Take acting lessons. Even online courses or YouTube tutorials help.
Read scripts out loud. Video game scripts, movie lines, or even cereal box descriptions—just practice.
Set Up a Simple Home Studio
Microphone: A good USB mic (like the Audio-Technica AT2020 or Blue Yeti) is a solid start.
Pop filter: Helps reduce plosive sounds (like P and B sounds).
Quiet space: Soundproof your room (blankets and pillows can help if you're on a budget).
Recording software: Audacity (free) or Reaper (cheap and powerful).
Create a Demo Reel
Short but strong. 60–90 seconds of your best voices.
Variety is key. Show different characters—hero, villain, sidekick, monster, narrator.
Professional sound. No background noise, clean audio.
Find Auditions Online
Casting websites like:
Casting Call Club
Voices.com
Voice123
Backstage
Indie dev communities:
Twitter (search GameDev IndieDev VoiceActing)
Reddit (r/gameDev, r/VoiceActing)
Discord servers for game development
Contact Developers Directly
Follow small indie devs on Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok. Comment on their posts and engage with them.
Look for game jams (like Ludum Dare or Global Game Jam). These developers may need voices.
Send a polite email or DM. Introduce yourself and attach your demo reel.
Keep Improving & Networking
Join voice acting communities. Discord servers, Facebook groups, etc.
Take feedback well. Ask for critiques and learn.
Stay consistent. It might take time, but persistence pays off.
Remember! Have Fun with It!
Voice acting is about bringing characters to life, so enjoy it. If all else fails, start voicing memes and post them online—sometimes that’s how people get discovered!
Good luck, go and concour the voice and gaming world.
Breaking into voice acting for games can be a challenge, but it's totally possible if you're determined. Here’s how you can get started, hope it helps.
.
Build Your Voice Acting Skills
Practice different voices. Try accents, tones, and emotions.
Record yourself. Play back your recordings and refine them.
Take acting lessons. Even online courses or YouTube tutorials help.
Read scripts out loud. Video game scripts, movie lines, or even cereal box descriptions—just practice.
Set Up a Simple Home Studio
Microphone: A good USB mic (like the Audio-Technica AT2020 or Blue Yeti) is a solid start.
Pop filter: Helps reduce plosive sounds (like P and B sounds).
Quiet space: Soundproof your room (blankets and pillows can help if you're on a budget).
Recording software: Audacity (free) or Reaper (cheap and powerful).
Create a Demo Reel
Short but strong. 60–90 seconds of your best voices.
Variety is key. Show different characters—hero, villain, sidekick, monster, narrator.
Professional sound. No background noise, clean audio.
Find Auditions Online
Casting websites like:
Casting Call Club
Voices.com
Voice123
Backstage
Indie dev communities:
Twitter (search GameDev IndieDev VoiceActing)
Reddit (r/gameDev, r/VoiceActing)
Discord servers for game development
Contact Developers Directly
Follow small indie devs on Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok. Comment on their posts and engage with them.
Look for game jams (like Ludum Dare or Global Game Jam). These developers may need voices.
Send a polite email or DM. Introduce yourself and attach your demo reel.
Keep Improving & Networking
Join voice acting communities. Discord servers, Facebook groups, etc.
Take feedback well. Ask for critiques and learn.
Stay consistent. It might take time, but persistence pays off.
Remember! Have Fun with It!
Voice acting is about bringing characters to life, so enjoy it. If all else fails, start voicing memes and post them online—sometimes that’s how people get discovered!
Good luck, go and concour the voice and gaming world.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
914
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Pearl!
That's a fantastic question! Breaking into the voice acting world for games can be an exciting journey. Here are some steps to help you get started:
1. Develop Your Skills: Take acting classes, practice voice exercises, and work on your vocal range. Being a versatile actor will give you an edge.
2. Create a Demo Reel: Record a demo reel showcasing your best work. This should include different character voices and styles to highlight your versatility.
3. Network: Join voice acting communities, attend industry events, and connect with other voice actors and game developers on social media. Networking can open doors to opportunities.
4. Use Online Platforms: Websites like "Voices.com" and "Backstage" are great places to find voice acting jobs and auditions. You can create a profile, upload your demo reel, and get matched with projects.
5. Reach Out Directly: If you find a game developer or small studio that doesn't use these platforms, try reaching out to them directly through their social media accounts or email. Be polite and professional in your approach.
6. Stay Persistent: The voice acting industry can be competitive, so don't get discouraged if you don't land a role right away. Keep practicing, improving, and putting yourself out there.
Remember, every step you take brings you closer to your goal. Keep pushing forward, and you'll find your place in the voice acting world.
Best wishes, and have fun along the way!
That's a fantastic question! Breaking into the voice acting world for games can be an exciting journey. Here are some steps to help you get started:
1. Develop Your Skills: Take acting classes, practice voice exercises, and work on your vocal range. Being a versatile actor will give you an edge.
2. Create a Demo Reel: Record a demo reel showcasing your best work. This should include different character voices and styles to highlight your versatility.
3. Network: Join voice acting communities, attend industry events, and connect with other voice actors and game developers on social media. Networking can open doors to opportunities.
4. Use Online Platforms: Websites like "Voices.com" and "Backstage" are great places to find voice acting jobs and auditions. You can create a profile, upload your demo reel, and get matched with projects.
5. Reach Out Directly: If you find a game developer or small studio that doesn't use these platforms, try reaching out to them directly through their social media accounts or email. Be polite and professional in your approach.
6. Stay Persistent: The voice acting industry can be competitive, so don't get discouraged if you don't land a role right away. Keep practicing, improving, and putting yourself out there.
Remember, every step you take brings you closer to your goal. Keep pushing forward, and you'll find your place in the voice acting world.
Best wishes, and have fun along the way!
Mel Rose
Voice Over Actor
7
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Mel’s Answer
2/17/2025
Hi Pearl!
I'm a little late in seeing your question; sorry about that.
The answers you've received prior to mine all give really great Intel, and they are accurate.
I would only add this:
All of it might seem a little overwhelming ... and it's a lot to digest.
The first step is to figure out if you actually enjoy acting! Voice Acting is more than just making funny voices, or having a unique voice. Take every opportunity to work in theater (community, school, etc). Take classes ... especially improv classes (they are super helpful for voice actors). Also checkout online classes with reputable groups and coaches. (On FB you can find a number of groups that meet and discuss everything you'd need to checkout all aspects of vo. One inexpensive - $25/Mo - Option is The VO Academy: www.voacademy.ca/join ). In this way you can also connect with other voice actors. It's a super giving community with a lot of people that enjoy helping each other.
Getting voice over work will mean that you'll become an entrepreneur. You'll be responsible for not just developing your own skills and techniques, but marketing yourself to agents, production houses and advertising agencies and casting producers, managing your business (budgeting, often bidding on work, invoicing and collections,etc.), setting up your home study (mic, interface, monitors, headphones, acoustic treated room to record (often in a closet!), learning your DAW (and other software) ... and much more. You also may discover you like other vo genres like animation, commercials, eLearning, promos, audiobooks, industrials, documentaries ....
So, yeah! It's a marathon and not a sprint. Learn if you like acting first. Meet other voice actors (careful of online connections), and then begin to use that Intel to figure out if voice over acting is for you!
Best of Luck!
Reach out anytime!
Mel.
MelRoseVO.com
Hi Pearl!
I'm a little late in seeing your question; sorry about that.
The answers you've received prior to mine all give really great Intel, and they are accurate.
I would only add this:
All of it might seem a little overwhelming ... and it's a lot to digest.
The first step is to figure out if you actually enjoy acting! Voice Acting is more than just making funny voices, or having a unique voice. Take every opportunity to work in theater (community, school, etc). Take classes ... especially improv classes (they are super helpful for voice actors). Also checkout online classes with reputable groups and coaches. (On FB you can find a number of groups that meet and discuss everything you'd need to checkout all aspects of vo. One inexpensive - $25/Mo - Option is The VO Academy: www.voacademy.ca/join ). In this way you can also connect with other voice actors. It's a super giving community with a lot of people that enjoy helping each other.
Getting voice over work will mean that you'll become an entrepreneur. You'll be responsible for not just developing your own skills and techniques, but marketing yourself to agents, production houses and advertising agencies and casting producers, managing your business (budgeting, often bidding on work, invoicing and collections,etc.), setting up your home study (mic, interface, monitors, headphones, acoustic treated room to record (often in a closet!), learning your DAW (and other software) ... and much more. You also may discover you like other vo genres like animation, commercials, eLearning, promos, audiobooks, industrials, documentaries ....
So, yeah! It's a marathon and not a sprint. Learn if you like acting first. Meet other voice actors (careful of online connections), and then begin to use that Intel to figure out if voice over acting is for you!
Best of Luck!
Reach out anytime!
Mel.
MelRoseVO.com