Voiceovers can be a lucrative and steady form of work for actors. It isn’t just the obvious things like adverts and radio drama. You can do talking books, Open University content, website audio and 101 other things. So how do you get started?
- Develop your voice. Do vocal warm-ups every day. Practice accents and sight-reading. Read stories to your friends, use a tape recorder to listen to how your voice sounds, change your answer phone message every day. If necessary, get some training from a voice coach or drama school.
- Know yourself. Think about the type of voice you have and what it might be good for. Build on your strengths. Do you have an accent? Good, so does Sean Connery. Do you have a gravelly voice? Great – what would Tom Waits read? You get the idea. Choose material that shows off your natural skills and talent.
- Get a voiceover demo. Using the material you have chosen and practiced thoroughly, make a voiceover demo. It should include a couple of advert-like pieces and a couple of narrative pieces, perhaps one fictional and one non-fictional. Keep it short – one or two minutes at most. If you get an MP3 file, make sure you include your name in the filename. Label CDs. You can search Google or consult Contacts to find a good, reputable recording studio who can help you create a good demo tape.
- Get a website. If you put your voiceover demo on your website you can just email potential customers and agents a link to the page. It’s more efficient for everyone and you get to explain what’s on the demo and what your vocal strengths are. (Except for our Basic site, all Upstage sites include the option of a voiceover page. You can even send us a CD and we’ll digitise it for you.)
- Get an agent. There are plenty of agencies who specialise in placing voice over artists. You can find a list here at Vocalist or check Contacts. Recommendations from friends and colleagues who already have an agent can be very helpful too. Send them a CD and a cover letter or write a letter or email with a link to your voiceover demo on your website.
- Be patient. It takes time to build up a reputation but if you are good and professional, you will build up a portfolio of regular clients. Just don’t expect it to happen overnight.
Upstage partner, Raoul Brand, will help you create a great voiceover demo for a great price. Find out more.
