Voicebank.net’s VoiceRegistry Blog

So, What Does It Take? Longtime Voice Over Teacher, Producer, Director Bill Holmes Shares His Mojo Secrets

As you may know, Bill Holmes is a friend and colleague of mine in the voice over industry. Check out my Voice Registry podcast interviews with him. He has generously agreed to guest blog for me as I was out of town over the past weeks. Here’s his take on being a successful voice talent. Thanks Bill!

-Tracy Pattin

Hello voice over actors. I’d like to toss you some info that might be helpful to your voice over careers. If you decide you want to get into this very competitive business whether you’re a veteran actor or just a beginner here’s a couple of pointers.

1.You need to workout. I’m talking about working out your voice over muscle. I’ve been doing voice overs for the past 28 years and I still work out everyday. I am fortunate enough to be auditioning just about every day. That is my workout.

2. If you are just starting out and don’t audition a lot, read out loud everyday into a microphone or tape recorder or your computer. Anything that will let you hear what you’ve done. Just grab an ad from a magazine and practice with those. They’re just like radio copy. That is the best way to gage whether or not you have a believable read. This is a very tough business so you need to stay sharp.

3. If you’re not sure about your own reads at home try to get into a workout group or an audition class. If you’re a beginner take a class. That will give you a better idea of how to get started. There are many teachers out there. You may have to go to a couple different ones before you hit on one that makes you feel comfortable. But that is the key.

4. Find someone that makes you feel comfortable behind the microphone. There is no right or wrong way to do this. There’s the way you do it.

5. Voice over is basically a set of choices that you make for the copy that is on the page in front of you. Some choices are better than others. As you’re practicing at home you will realize which ones are weak choices and which ones are strong choices. That’s why you’re practicing at home. Hang on to the strong choices (the more specific ones) and get rid of the weak choices (the general ones). Go with the choices that make you feel comfortable behind the microphone. That’s who they want to hire. Whoever seems the most comfortable.

Well there you have it. A little bit of my mojo to share with the world. I hope it helps.

-Bill Holmes