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what career should study if I want to become a voice actor?
Any advice for this career? University recommendations? Where do I start? Where can I start on my own to gain experience? Is it difficult to get opportunities in this field?
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Timothy’s Answer
If you're interested in pursuing a career as a voice actor, there are several educational and professional paths that can help you get there. Here’s a guide to help you navigate your options:
1. Study Relevant Fields
- Theater or Drama: Many voice actors benefit from studying theater, as it provides foundational skills in voice modulation, character creation, and performance.
- Communications: A degree in communications can enhance your ability to understand and deliver scripts effectively while improving your vocal and public speaking skills.
- Media Arts: Courses in audio production, sound design, and media arts can help you understand the technical side of voice acting, including recording and editing.
2. Voice Acting Workshops and Classes
- Seek out voice acting workshops or classes that focus specifically on voice techniques, character work, and industry practices.
- Look for programs taught by experienced voice actors. Organizations, studios, or community colleges often offer specialized courses.
3. Practice and Develop Your Skills
- Vocal Training: Consider studying voice lessons with a qualified instructor to improve your vocal control, clarity, and range.
- Acting Techniques: Explore improvisation, character development, and script interpretation to enhance your acting skills.
- Recording Yourself: Practice reading various scripts and record yourself to evaluate your delivery, tone, and pacing.
4. Build a Portfolio
- Create a demo reel showcasing a range of styles and characters. Include various genres like commercials, animation, audiobooks, and video games.
- Keep your demo succinct (1-2 minutes long) and ensure it's of high audio quality.
5. Networking
- Connect with professionals in the voice acting industry through networking events, workshops, and online communities.
- Attend conventions or expos related to animation, voice acting, and gaming to meet industry insiders.
6. Gain Experience
- Start small by auditioning for local theater productions, student films, or independent projects. Consider volunteering for radio stations or podcasts to gain experience.
- Look for opportunities on platforms like Voices.com or Fiverr to find freelance voice acting gigs.
7. Auditioning
- Prepare to audition regularly. Understand how to interpret scripts, follow directions, and display different emotions.
- Research auditioning techniques and find resources or coaches that can help refine your skills.
8. Consider Representation
- Once you’re ready, take steps to secure an agent who specializes in voice talent. An agent can help you find auditions and negotiate contracts.
9. Stay Updated on Industry Trends
- Keep yourself informed about changes in the industry, new technologies, and popular trends in media. Regularly listen to voice performances and analyze different styles.
10. Be Persistent and Passionate
- Voice acting can be competitive, so remain resilient. Continue to hone your craft and seek opportunities consistently.
Suggested Educational Path
- Undergraduate Degree: Consider a degree in Theater, Communications, or a Media Arts-related field.
- Extra Courses: Audit classes specifically related to voice acting, including performance and audio production.
- Ongoing Training: Seek continued education opportunities or workshops throughout your career to stay sharp and informed.
Pursuing a voice acting career can be fulfilling and exciting, especially if you have a passion for storytelling and character work. Surround yourself with supportive mentors, and don’t hesitate to seek feedback to refine your skills. Let me know if you need further details or assistance with anything else.
1. Study Relevant Fields
- Theater or Drama: Many voice actors benefit from studying theater, as it provides foundational skills in voice modulation, character creation, and performance.
- Communications: A degree in communications can enhance your ability to understand and deliver scripts effectively while improving your vocal and public speaking skills.
- Media Arts: Courses in audio production, sound design, and media arts can help you understand the technical side of voice acting, including recording and editing.
2. Voice Acting Workshops and Classes
- Seek out voice acting workshops or classes that focus specifically on voice techniques, character work, and industry practices.
- Look for programs taught by experienced voice actors. Organizations, studios, or community colleges often offer specialized courses.
3. Practice and Develop Your Skills
- Vocal Training: Consider studying voice lessons with a qualified instructor to improve your vocal control, clarity, and range.
- Acting Techniques: Explore improvisation, character development, and script interpretation to enhance your acting skills.
- Recording Yourself: Practice reading various scripts and record yourself to evaluate your delivery, tone, and pacing.
4. Build a Portfolio
- Create a demo reel showcasing a range of styles and characters. Include various genres like commercials, animation, audiobooks, and video games.
- Keep your demo succinct (1-2 minutes long) and ensure it's of high audio quality.
5. Networking
- Connect with professionals in the voice acting industry through networking events, workshops, and online communities.
- Attend conventions or expos related to animation, voice acting, and gaming to meet industry insiders.
6. Gain Experience
- Start small by auditioning for local theater productions, student films, or independent projects. Consider volunteering for radio stations or podcasts to gain experience.
- Look for opportunities on platforms like Voices.com or Fiverr to find freelance voice acting gigs.
7. Auditioning
- Prepare to audition regularly. Understand how to interpret scripts, follow directions, and display different emotions.
- Research auditioning techniques and find resources or coaches that can help refine your skills.
8. Consider Representation
- Once you’re ready, take steps to secure an agent who specializes in voice talent. An agent can help you find auditions and negotiate contracts.
9. Stay Updated on Industry Trends
- Keep yourself informed about changes in the industry, new technologies, and popular trends in media. Regularly listen to voice performances and analyze different styles.
10. Be Persistent and Passionate
- Voice acting can be competitive, so remain resilient. Continue to hone your craft and seek opportunities consistently.
Suggested Educational Path
- Undergraduate Degree: Consider a degree in Theater, Communications, or a Media Arts-related field.
- Extra Courses: Audit classes specifically related to voice acting, including performance and audio production.
- Ongoing Training: Seek continued education opportunities or workshops throughout your career to stay sharp and informed.
Pursuing a voice acting career can be fulfilling and exciting, especially if you have a passion for storytelling and character work. Surround yourself with supportive mentors, and don’t hesitate to seek feedback to refine your skills. Let me know if you need further details or assistance with anything else.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Diego !
It's best to say that voice acting is not a career, rather a skill and part of a career for actors and others. One does not need a degree in it as there are no specialized college degrees for it, but you could take voice acting classes in your community or if someone is offering them online. It's all about having a strong, versatile voice that you can adjust. It helps to know a lot about acting and business, too. Let's actually start with the term I see people using, "voice acting".
A lot of it is not acting. If you get a job doing Voice Overs (looping your vocals or sounds to a video or film visual) for cartoons, dubbing foreign films, or video games, characters are involved and yes, you'd need acting skills. If you obtain projects for Audio Books, Narration or Commercials, there is a style but it's your clear and distinct voice employers want. Since you seem to need an initial introduction to doing voice over work, I would suggest that you get the training and you will learn everything about voice overs and how to submit your demo reels for work.
You can get training to do voice overs from The Voice Realm in El Paso. I left the link to their website for you below. You can call or visit them to see if they have class training for people in your age group (you didn't mention your age). You can also find voice over instructors by doing an online search. Keep in mind that you'll be needing a home studio to record your voice demos to send out as well as record actual assignments for projects. You can start with looking for local community instruction.
I can't recommend any University for this because it is not a major, just part of something that actors and business people get involved in sometimes. I would advise that you choose a major for college for a specific career and find a college that supports your circumstances and preferences.
Getting work consists of sending out voice demos to a particular place you find on casting websites. You send the demo out and wait to hear back. It's like any other performance work, someone has to decide to choose you for the project. People that hire voice talent usually place notices in Backstage, Actors Access and other acting casting websites. I wouldn't register at these sites just yet. It's best to do it when you already have had enough training and have a demo recorded and ready to send. If you go for the training, your instructor will show you the ropes and guide you, filling you in on everything you'll need to know.
If you are still in high school, do activities and take classes that require you to use your voice. The Debate Team, a Class Office or video projects would be good practice.
I hope this helps to start you off for training and I wish you all the best !
THE VOICE REALM IN EL PASO FOR VOICE OVER TRAINING https://www.thevoicerealm.com/voice-recording-services/el-paso-texas.php
It's best to say that voice acting is not a career, rather a skill and part of a career for actors and others. One does not need a degree in it as there are no specialized college degrees for it, but you could take voice acting classes in your community or if someone is offering them online. It's all about having a strong, versatile voice that you can adjust. It helps to know a lot about acting and business, too. Let's actually start with the term I see people using, "voice acting".
A lot of it is not acting. If you get a job doing Voice Overs (looping your vocals or sounds to a video or film visual) for cartoons, dubbing foreign films, or video games, characters are involved and yes, you'd need acting skills. If you obtain projects for Audio Books, Narration or Commercials, there is a style but it's your clear and distinct voice employers want. Since you seem to need an initial introduction to doing voice over work, I would suggest that you get the training and you will learn everything about voice overs and how to submit your demo reels for work.
You can get training to do voice overs from The Voice Realm in El Paso. I left the link to their website for you below. You can call or visit them to see if they have class training for people in your age group (you didn't mention your age). You can also find voice over instructors by doing an online search. Keep in mind that you'll be needing a home studio to record your voice demos to send out as well as record actual assignments for projects. You can start with looking for local community instruction.
I can't recommend any University for this because it is not a major, just part of something that actors and business people get involved in sometimes. I would advise that you choose a major for college for a specific career and find a college that supports your circumstances and preferences.
Getting work consists of sending out voice demos to a particular place you find on casting websites. You send the demo out and wait to hear back. It's like any other performance work, someone has to decide to choose you for the project. People that hire voice talent usually place notices in Backstage, Actors Access and other acting casting websites. I wouldn't register at these sites just yet. It's best to do it when you already have had enough training and have a demo recorded and ready to send. If you go for the training, your instructor will show you the ropes and guide you, filling you in on everything you'll need to know.
If you are still in high school, do activities and take classes that require you to use your voice. The Debate Team, a Class Office or video projects would be good practice.
I hope this helps to start you off for training and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps: