Below you will find information about:
• Tips to get started, step-by-step!
• Home Studio Resources
• Demo Reel tips
• Voice Acting Classes
• Demo Producer Recommendations
• Tips on how to find VO jobs
• Agency Info
Truthfully, you could easily search "how do I become a voice actor?" and find LOTS of resources online (some of which I have linked below at the bottom of this page), but sometimes it can be overwhelming and hard to narrow down the many resources available, and there are also a lot of scams out there to sift through. So I created this page for aspiring voice actors to find legitimate information and various professional resources all on one easy to navigate page.
This information may vary depending on the specific VO market you plan on pursuing, so I encourage you to branch out and seek multiple opinions from professionals who are working in the specific genre of voice-over that you wish to pursue.
(DISCLAIMER: My experience is based in the U.S. and I primarily work in the professional character voice acting industry specifically. Voice-over industries vary across the globe, and every genre of voice-over works differently)
So you want to be a voice actor?
Voice acting is ACTING. This job is more than putting on a voice. Acting skills are a must.
If you have never had acting training or voice-over specific training, click HERE for a list of various voice-over classes, workshops, and private coaching services taught by industry professionals. I also recommend getting involved in other forms of acting such as on-stage or on-camera. Consider joining a local theater or getting involved in your school theater department if applicable.
I always ask aspiring voice actors:
"WHY do you want to be a voice actor?"
These are the answers I hear most frequently:
1. "I'm good at impressions"
2. "I have loads of voices"
3. "People say I have a good voice / that I should get into voice acting"
4. "It seems easy enough"
5. "I just want to make it a hobby for extra money"
If any number of those responses sound like you,
please read with the corresponding number below:
(If not, you can move on to the next section)
1. Don't focus on impressions. Impressions and voice matching go far beyond "copying" some well known catchphrases. It's great if you can manipulate your voice to sound like an iconic character or celebrity, but you have to be able to SUSTAIN the voice (continue to sound accurate) all while taking direction well and delivering a believable performance. It is also important to mention that you are competing with professionals, and sometimes that includes the actual actors of the voices you are trying to mimic. Voice acting is MORE than being able to do impressions and fun voices. More often than not, the director wants to hear YOUR voice, not an impression.
2. Having "loads of voices" is not enough in this field of work. Though it can be a beneficial skill, acting skills are more important. It's not enough to have hundreds of voices available at the drop of a hat. You need to be able to PERFORM those voices on a professional level and be able to take direction well, adjusting your performance however the director needs.
3. Something I hear most often from people is "My friends and family say I have a good voice" and "Everyone keeps saying I should get into voice acting" — Most of the time these are non-pros telling you this, so you have to take it with a grain of salt. This doesn't always mean that their encouragement is misplaced, but this industry is MORE than just having a cool sounding voice. You need to seek out more reliable confirmation of your talent and capabilities, whether it's from a casting director, voice director, or professional voice actor. You have to remember that this is show business, and the job requires more than a nice voice. Being able to perform proficiently, take direction well in a fast paced environment, and have good creative instincts; all great qualities that could potentially be developed with a good amount of training with the right people.
4. Show business is NOT easy. Never underestimate any form of acting, including voice-over. This can be a very competitive field, and the job requires a LOT of auditioning.
5. This is not a quick or cheap journey. Considering the investment that's involved, the start of your VO journey could be quite the opposite. If you're wanting to get into this field for a little extra money, you'll realize rather quickly how expensive it is just to get started (though there are some cheaper routes to explore). Pursuing voice over can get extremely expensive. Acting classes and workshops can cost HUNDREDS of dollars, recording equipment can be pricey depending on the quality, and getting a decent demo reel can cost around $3,000! So be prepared to spend some money at the start, and be prepared to audition on a regular basis (unpaid). Choose this path wisely.
"Hows do I become a voice actor?"
1. Check your motivation
Do it for the love of acting. Enjoyment is always the best reason to pursue this craft. I do not recommend pursuing this career if the only intention is money or fame. Having a love for the craft is what will get you through the hard times in this business.
2. Acting training
• Like any career, training is important. In addition to performance training, the educational aspect is equally as crucial. Learning how this industry operates, the do's and don'ts of this business, and knowing the necessary terminology of this field will be incredibly rewarding when taught by the right people. However, you do not need a degree to succeed in this industry. It will be more beneficial for you to learn from professional voice actors and directors who are currently working in the professional industry and in the specific area you want to pursue.
• I recommend participating in on-stage productions. Get involved with your school's theatre department or local theatre. Build your acting resume and grow in the art. I also recommend improv training. It trains you to think on your feet, invent material on the fly, recover from mistakes in the moment, and overall nurture your imagination.
• Another great way to learn is to observe experienced actors on-the-job. Learn from people who know what they're doing and are successful at what they do.
• There are also a lot of accomplished voice actors who teach constructive voice-over classes! Here's a list of some trustworthy VO coaches / teachers / instructors that I recommend:
> www.themorganberry.com/classes-workshops
• And here is a link to a list of things to be wary of when searching for a VO coach:
> www.themorganberry.com/red-flags
3. Recording equipment
Many companies will require you to send auditions from somewhere other than their studio, so having a good home studio can be crucial, especially when you're expected to record a job remotely. Here is a helpful website to give more insight on the matter:
www.themorganberry.com/home-studio-info
4. Have a demo reel
Eventually you will need a demo reel to showcase your abilities as a performer and to pitch yourself to potential clients, studios, and agencies.
[demo reel information below]
The First Steps
1. Take risks (within reason)
I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for me taking a few risks. When I competed in a voice acting competition, I almost backed out because I was so nervous and worried that I would embarrass myself. I set that fear aside, competed, and won. That win earned me an audition at Funimation. Thankfully I was ready for this opportunity. I had years of experience as an on-stage actor, so I was prepared for this risk. Another example of a risk involves me auditioning for roles that I didn't feel I could do as well as someone else. I decided to push through my self-doubt and auditioned anyway. I have booked many roles this way, to my surprise. A risk many people debate on is the choice to move to another state to pursue a specific genre of voice-over. I recommend training first before uprooting your entire life. Test the waters first before jumping in.
2. Be prepared:
As a voice actor, you are an independent contractor. This is not a steady career and work is never guaranteed. When you go weeks without booking voice-work, you need to be prepared financially, so it's recommended that you don't quit your day-job! One of the reasons being sometimes voice acting gigs don’t pay well. And even when you DO book, it's not going to be every gig that you audition for. Voice-work is not always consistent, no matter how talented you may be. Through it all, it’s a good idea to have a job that guarantees you a paycheck each month.
3. Listen and take direction well:
Do your research on the characters that you are voicing for, but do not become attached to their characteristics. Things change and you have to learn to adapt to whichever direction the client or director wants to take the character. Be open to change and listen very closely to what the client or director wants from you.
4. Understand the truth about rejection:
Rejection is a common occurrence in show business. Actors are constantly auditioning for projects and it is highly unlikely that they will book every single gig they audition for. Never take it personally. Don't let the rejections discourage you. You are not alone in this struggle.
5. Be okay with looking silly:
Push out of your comfort zone. As an actor, it is your job to "professionally play pretend." Sometimes you'll have to make silly faces in order to manipulate your vocals. Don't worry about being judged through your methods. Focus on the fun!
6. Marketing:
Marketing yourself online is very important in show business. The biggest marketing platform being social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc... Some studios even cast actors based on the amount of followers they have. (it sucks. we hate it. but it's a part of the business and we have to come to terms with it). Having a website and professional headshots can also benefit you when it comes to marketing yourself online.
7. Location matters:
Even with the pandemic shifting the industry in 2020, for character voice acting specifically, many major companies still tend to prioritize local actors, (though they may agree to accommodate actors with bigger names in the industry if they prefer working remotely). When pursuing character-based voice acting with major companies, it helps greatly to live where the work is. In many cases you have to be readily available at the drop of a hat. Studios might need you to come in tomorrow and you have to be ready to accommodate their hectic schedules. However, don't consider moving until you are ready as an actor. Acting training and on-stage experience can go a long way. With that said, I highly suggest starting in a smaller market first. I personally started my career in Dallas, Texas and built my resume with anime dubbing work before moving to Los Angeles. Many major anime companies are located in Texas, including Crunchyroll (formally known as Funimation), Sentai Filmworks, Kocha Sound, Studio Nano, and OkraTron 5000 Studio. If you want to pursue anime dubbing, then Texas is a great place to start.
The pandemic opened a lot of doors for talent living outside of the major VO hubs, but the industry has since gone right back to the way it operated before then, so many of those opportunities were unfortunately short lived. We're all hoping that remote recording can eventually become the norm so that opportunities can be more accessible, but until then, this is where things stand specifically in the professional character voice-over industry. It all depends on the genre of voice-over and the studio executives. Before you consider a move, your acting skills need to be on-par or BETTER than the pool of talent already established and working in the industry. In addition to this, your voice-over demos must be competitive in comparison to the talent on agency rosters in order for you to garner any interest. If you don't believe you are good enough yet, take your time and focus on training before making the move.
8. Voice-Over Rate Guide:
TheVoiceOverCollective.com/voice-over-rates
Helpful Tips & Facts
You can either scan the QR codes with your phone camera, or click the images below to be sent to the corresponding link.
Vocal Health
Home Studio Tips
Demo Reel Info
Coaching Red Flags
Voice Acting Lessons
How to get VO jobs
