Practice Makes Voice Over Perfect!
January 16th, 2008 Posted in General Info, Voice Over InstructionJust like any business, you must become the expert. The voice over world isn’t any different. So, how do you become an expert VO artist or is it simply a natural born talent? For some, this career comes more naturally than to others. You have to have the ability to read aloud and to understand copy. Whether you have a fabulous, rich, resonant voice is secondary. All kinds of voices get hired for all kinds of voiceover projects. Second, you have to learn your craft, become a student.
There are lots of voice over classes from in-person to online, beginning to advanced, private sessions to seminars with panelists and Q&A sessions. How do you choose the right class? If you’re a beginner, you might want to go to a Learning Annex class (adult seminars) to get a taste, like “Make $$$ Using Your Voice.” Those are introductory classes and you probably won’t get a chance to get up to the mic, but you will get a chance to get a bird’s eye view of the industry and what’s involved. Beginning students may choose to have private sessions with a voice over coach. They’re more expensive and you don’t get the experience of performing in front of others-something you have to get used to! As a beginner, you have to get into workshops and study with different teachers. Don’t latch on to one teacher for years. You need a variety of techniques and feedback.
Voice over classes vary in their structure and goals. Many focus on commercials (you can also study animation, narration, ADR, dialects etc.). You’ll get commercial copy, practice it out loud in the hall and then get up to the mic and perform it for the class. The teacher gives immediate feedback and you’ll probably get to read the copy again. All of this gets recorded for you to take home. In beginning classes the teacher helps you to understand the copy and make clear choices. It’s their job to guide you to a great read. Constructive feedback is the other key component and that comes from a good teacher. How do you find a good teacher? The best way is through word of mouth. Call talent agencies, acting schools and ask other voice over actors.
For the veteran voice over actor, they’re usually working out each week (and in LA and New York, sometimes every day) going to auditions and working. The experienced actor will take brush-up classes from time to time. The advanced voice over classes are often structured as workouts where the actors get up constantly, practicing copy and getting feedback without much instruction.
The big question is how long does a student need to study to be ready for an agent, auditions and the actual jobs? It just depends. It depends on your natural ability and how focused you are. If you throw yourself into your career and devote hours per week, you’ll get there faster. At least six months of study is a good rule of thumb. Also, your teacher can give you feedback about your readiness.
Check out my podcast with voice over teacher Bill Holmes.
-Tracy Pattin
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One Response to “Practice Makes Voice Over Perfect!”
By SomeAudioGuy on Jan 17, 2008
OMG! I couldn’t agee more!
I’m always shocked (and sometimes appalled) by actors that don’t work out or take advantage of opportunity.
I’ve run booths for years, and it can be a little disheartening to think that some actors might not do anything to keep themselves in shape inbetween auditions. Every AUDITION becomes a workout, and that’s not going to get you work, you’ll always be raw. Auditions are the time to shine not stretch.
And these days it’s just so easy to keep up. Taking classes and workshops is HUGE, but if you find yourself with too much downtime, JOIN A WORKOUT GROUP. You might not even need a studio. One of the most intense groups I ever worked with held meetings in one of the members living rooms. And if you can’t find a group, start one! You’ll be glad you did.
It can take months or years to develop your style and gain momentum. Why would you ever want to get “cold”?