4 answers
Pearl
Student
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Questions
Asked
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Should I be a Voice actor or an actor?
I met an awesome Voice actor, Lizzie freeman (TADC, jojo's bizzare adventure, etc...), and she inspired me to be a voice actor. I'm planning to take chorus to help my voice, but she recommends having a bigger 'job palette' by being an actor. What should I do? Also, what can I do to practice my voice before being an official Actor/VA?
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4 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
549
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Pearl,
It's amazing that you got to meet Lizzie Freeman, and her advice is really valuable! Both voice acting and acting can be rewarding careers, and they complement each other well. If you're passionate about voice acting, starting with that is great, but developing acting skills will also expand your opportunities and give you a stronger foundation in performance.
Should you be a Voice Actor or an Actor?
- Voice Acting: This is a specialized field where you'll focus on character voices, dubbing, and narration. Voice actors need to be versatile, with the ability to convey emotions and character depth through just their voice.
- Acting: Being an actor gives you the full range of expression—physicality, facial expressions, and voice. Acting in live performances or films can help you connect more deeply with characters and storytelling, which also makes you a stronger voice actor.
If you're aiming for long-term success and versatility in the industry, following Lizzie's advice to develop acting skills can be smart. Acting will strengthen your performance abilities, and you'll have a "bigger job palette," meaning more opportunities in both voice and traditional acting.
Ways to Practice Your Voice
1. Take Chorus/Vocal Training: You're already planning to take chorus, which is a great way to train your voice. It helps with breathing control, range, and vocal strength.
2. Mimic Voices: Practice by imitating different characters, accents, and tones. This will help you develop versatility and control.
3. Read Aloud: Try reading books, scripts, or articles out loud, focusing on delivering emotions, pacing, and clarity.
4. Record Yourself: Set up a simple recording system at home and practice different types of scripts—commercials, cartoons, video games. Listen back to your recordings to assess areas for improvement.
5. Watch and Study VA Performances: Analyze how voice actors portray emotions, timing, and character depth, whether in anime, video games, or animated shows.
6. Breathing Exercises: Diaphragmatic breathing (deep belly breathing) will help you control your voice and avoid strain.
7. Acting Classes: Consider taking acting classes in addition to chorus. Acting will help you understand character development and emotional expression, which is crucial for voice acting.
Overall Strategy
You don't have to choose between one or the other. You can focus on voice acting while also developing your acting skills. Start by practicing your voice and gaining some foundational acting experience. Having a broad skill set will open up more opportunities for you in the future, whether that's in voice acting, acting on stage, or on screen.
Best wishes!
It's amazing that you got to meet Lizzie Freeman, and her advice is really valuable! Both voice acting and acting can be rewarding careers, and they complement each other well. If you're passionate about voice acting, starting with that is great, but developing acting skills will also expand your opportunities and give you a stronger foundation in performance.
Should you be a Voice Actor or an Actor?
- Voice Acting: This is a specialized field where you'll focus on character voices, dubbing, and narration. Voice actors need to be versatile, with the ability to convey emotions and character depth through just their voice.
- Acting: Being an actor gives you the full range of expression—physicality, facial expressions, and voice. Acting in live performances or films can help you connect more deeply with characters and storytelling, which also makes you a stronger voice actor.
If you're aiming for long-term success and versatility in the industry, following Lizzie's advice to develop acting skills can be smart. Acting will strengthen your performance abilities, and you'll have a "bigger job palette," meaning more opportunities in both voice and traditional acting.
Ways to Practice Your Voice
1. Take Chorus/Vocal Training: You're already planning to take chorus, which is a great way to train your voice. It helps with breathing control, range, and vocal strength.
2. Mimic Voices: Practice by imitating different characters, accents, and tones. This will help you develop versatility and control.
3. Read Aloud: Try reading books, scripts, or articles out loud, focusing on delivering emotions, pacing, and clarity.
4. Record Yourself: Set up a simple recording system at home and practice different types of scripts—commercials, cartoons, video games. Listen back to your recordings to assess areas for improvement.
5. Watch and Study VA Performances: Analyze how voice actors portray emotions, timing, and character depth, whether in anime, video games, or animated shows.
6. Breathing Exercises: Diaphragmatic breathing (deep belly breathing) will help you control your voice and avoid strain.
7. Acting Classes: Consider taking acting classes in addition to chorus. Acting will help you understand character development and emotional expression, which is crucial for voice acting.
Overall Strategy
You don't have to choose between one or the other. You can focus on voice acting while also developing your acting skills. Start by practicing your voice and gaining some foundational acting experience. Having a broad skill set will open up more opportunities for you in the future, whether that's in voice acting, acting on stage, or on screen.
Best wishes!
Alexis Camins
IT Manager at Los Angeles County - Professional Actor
35
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Alexis’s Answer
Both! Most voice actors I know aren’t exclusively voice actors. They are actors that audition for anything they can.
As a young actor, build up your experience and training as an actor. The skills you learn as an actor are the same as voice acting. Usually that starts with theater and school productions. But if you have an opportunity to do a short film or audition for a commercial or a radio spot or voiceover, do it!
As you gain experience, you’ll discover what you like and maybe what you’re good at and where your career might take you. But most of my actor friends don’t limit themselves; they do theater, film, TV, commercials, video games, concerts, comedy shows, industrials. An actor should take every opportunity, because they don’t come often.
As a young actor, build up your experience and training as an actor. The skills you learn as an actor are the same as voice acting. Usually that starts with theater and school productions. But if you have an opportunity to do a short film or audition for a commercial or a radio spot or voiceover, do it!
As you gain experience, you’ll discover what you like and maybe what you’re good at and where your career might take you. But most of my actor friends don’t limit themselves; they do theater, film, TV, commercials, video games, concerts, comedy shows, industrials. An actor should take every opportunity, because they don’t come often.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Pearl
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Pearl !
Lizzie Freeman - your inspiration - is correct. You should become an actor because Alexis Camins is right, too - most voice actors are performing actors in all media and genres. I know only one voice over artist who went into it, through the help of his daughter, and his background was in business, he's independent and self-markets and does excellently.
Doing voice overs is a lot of fun. Your voice is your product for this field full of variety. Singing is wonderful, but I would suggest public speaking and voice and diction classes. You didn't mention where you live, but this is advice for people in the United States. Learn what Standard American speech is and slowly filter out any regional accent that you may have. You will need this speech for commercials, film, documentary, Audio Books and other projects. Then, practice (can be done on your own) various voices such as male and female child, animals, etc. I recently taught myself Deaf Speech (the way deaf people sound when they speak) and couldn't believe I nailed it. It's really a great field of work and demands a lot of practice and open-mindedness to try it all.
Your best bet would be to attend college as a Theatre Major with the emphasis on acting. Take courses from the Speech Department such as I've mentioned and interact with the Film Department for doing voice overs for student films. On many voice over projects, such as dubbing and cartoons, you will need to act, that's why being an actor will be of great benefit. Alexis is spot on when he says that, as an actor, you must be open to work on projects in all media and genres.
There is a wealth of information about doing voice overs in America on the internet. Many videos on You Tube can be very informative on the subject, too. Do return here along the way if you have additional questions as we are happy to help out !
Lizzie Freeman - your inspiration - is correct. You should become an actor because Alexis Camins is right, too - most voice actors are performing actors in all media and genres. I know only one voice over artist who went into it, through the help of his daughter, and his background was in business, he's independent and self-markets and does excellently.
Doing voice overs is a lot of fun. Your voice is your product for this field full of variety. Singing is wonderful, but I would suggest public speaking and voice and diction classes. You didn't mention where you live, but this is advice for people in the United States. Learn what Standard American speech is and slowly filter out any regional accent that you may have. You will need this speech for commercials, film, documentary, Audio Books and other projects. Then, practice (can be done on your own) various voices such as male and female child, animals, etc. I recently taught myself Deaf Speech (the way deaf people sound when they speak) and couldn't believe I nailed it. It's really a great field of work and demands a lot of practice and open-mindedness to try it all.
Your best bet would be to attend college as a Theatre Major with the emphasis on acting. Take courses from the Speech Department such as I've mentioned and interact with the Film Department for doing voice overs for student films. On many voice over projects, such as dubbing and cartoons, you will need to act, that's why being an actor will be of great benefit. Alexis is spot on when he says that, as an actor, you must be open to work on projects in all media and genres.
There is a wealth of information about doing voice overs in America on the internet. Many videos on You Tube can be very informative on the subject, too. Do return here along the way if you have additional questions as we are happy to help out !
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Pearl
Megan Sumpter
Writer
8
Answers
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Updated
Megan’s Answer
For a career, Voice Acting has more need and can be done almost anywhere compared to Live Acting. Voice Acting will likely have more gigs to propel your career and you need not fit the character's physical appearance. The only requirement is to sound like the character.
That being said, passion is not to be overlooked. If you love theatre or film, pursue it. I would not look to the coasts only (which, depending on your political ideology, may be tough for your career to survive), as there are other places in the USA that have developed markets for these crafts.
I believe Northwest Arkansas has a budding film market. Atlanta, GA, also has a film market. Some states have financial stipends and incentives for films to be made in-state, such as Oklahoma (where the original "Twister" movie was filmed!).
Look into your state, as well as smaller theatre troupes/film companies that are looking for talent.
Acquire a book such as "Writer's Market" to further help determine whether you need an agent or not (I have a 2020 edition).
Start acting! With respect to conscience, seek out roles in shows that tell a good message and have a considerate director.
If possible, try to become an unofficial understudy. I was one for several shows, and it garnered respect and surprise from my fellow cast and crew.
Talk in as many voices as you can. Take care of your instrument, but don't be afraid to experiment with developing a resume of the vocal cords!
That being said, passion is not to be overlooked. If you love theatre or film, pursue it. I would not look to the coasts only (which, depending on your political ideology, may be tough for your career to survive), as there are other places in the USA that have developed markets for these crafts.
I believe Northwest Arkansas has a budding film market. Atlanta, GA, also has a film market. Some states have financial stipends and incentives for films to be made in-state, such as Oklahoma (where the original "Twister" movie was filmed!).
Megan recommends the following next steps: