
Having a strong, rich, expressive voice can lead to a lucrative career as a voice actor, whether you're giving voice to video games (like Troy Baker in "The Last of Us"), cartoons (like Cree Summer in "Rugrats), or public service announcements (like Britain's Emma Clark of "mind the gap" fame). You may have the pipes, but how do you get started? Here are seven tried-and-true ways to get voice acting jobs.
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Voice acting jobs span multiple genres, including:
- Commercials
- Animation
- Anime
- Audiobooks
- Video games
- GPS and virtual assistants
- Corporate and educational videos
- Health and wellness videos
- Documentaries
- Announcements
Some, like animation, anime, and video games, require strong acting skills and the ability to portray a variety of characters, voices, and situations; others, like educational videos, may need only a mellifluous voice.
No matter the niche you’re interested in, the first step to becoming a voice actor is to cultivate your voice acting skills. Listen to notable voice actors in your intended genre, work with a coach, take classes, and practice often. Try recording yourself reading aloud, then listen to the recording and consider ways you can improve.
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- Self-promote. Create a demo reel showcasing your voice, range, and abilities, and get it heard by posting it on your social media pages with hashtags like #voiceover, #voiceactor, #voiceacting, and #vo. Make a professional site and send a link to it along with your demo to agents, CDs, and any colleagues working in voiceover.
- Network. Harness the power of social capital by letting other industry professionals know that you’re looking for work and asking them to share any opportunities that arise. Don’t know anyone in the voice acting ecosystem? Try joining local meetup groups and professional groups like GVAA and SOVAS, and attend industry events like One Voice Conference, That’s Voiceover! Career Expo, and the Audiobook Publishers Association conferences. Connecting with other industry professionals is a great way to get your foot in the door and your voice at the mic.
- Find casting calls. If you’re not sure where to find voice acting jobs, the Backstage voiceover jobs database is a great place to start. Just be sure that you showcase your abilities by adding your demo to your profile.
- Sign up on voice talent sites. You can also make a profile on sites like Voice123. Search for gigs or wait for someone in search of your unique sound to reach out.
- Look for freelance gigs. Sign up for sites like Fiverr and Upwork and check out the vast variety of voice acting posts.
- Register with ACX. The Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) connects voice actors with writers and publishers seeking narrators for audiobooks.
- Get an agent. Voiceover agents put in the work to find jobs for you, making them an invaluable resource in landing gigs and building your career. According to voiceover agent James Murray, many agencies have audio production facilities in their offices, meaning that agents “contribute a lot of time to being in the booth directing, guiding, and coaching clients before their audition tapes are packaged and submitted to casting directors.” This attention to detail can help you stand out and land the job.
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So you’ve found a great gig and want to apply—congrats! Initially, you’ll send your demo reel and résumé over. Then, if they’re interested, you’ll be asked to send in a self-taped audition—so be sure to properly prepare your home studio to ensure that your voice is clear and crisp. Before recording, study the script or sides, take the time to warm up your voice, and read through (and follow!) all instructions. “Do your research, trust your instincts, bring to it your own personality,” Murray advises, “and as soon as you’re done auditioning, don’t ever think about it again.”