From the Booth: Volume 1
A beginner’s guide to voice acting
So you want to be a voice actor. But where do you even start?
Let’s not make things too complicated.
Here are 5 things that can help kickstart your voice acting hobby or career, even if you have no experience in the industry or money to your name.
First, find out your why.
Let the reason you are interested in voice acting be the driver for your pursuits! But also, use it as a helpful tool in determining your passion and motivation.
For example, you may want to do voice acting as a hobby to improve your speaking skills and improvisation abilities. Or perhaps you have some idealistic dream in your mind about money and fame, which (spoiler!) never fulfills, no matter the career path.
Some individuals really like acting. They’ve done it on stage or behind the TV screen and know it is their desire to do it for the long haul. Just as some people love programming, others like writing novels, there are individuals who want to act, and that’s their life pursuit.
But maybe you are not sure. There’s nothing wrong with trying some small projects, dipping your toe in the water, and getting an idea of what it is like. Don’t force yourself to fixate on a goal that you might not even end up enjoying. There are no strings attached, you can always choose a different path.
Plus, there are many different types of voice acting. If you know your WHY (such as, I really love listening to audiobooks and appreciate how it brings stories to life in a unique way, I’d like to try that!), then that can help shape the direction you go. Maybe you think you want to do commercial voice acting but really like playing videogames and have a deep understanding of the mechanics. If so, you might like voice acting for games instead of in advertisements on TV or social media.
That’s where point two comes in.
Second, consider your experience.
Take the videogame example FOR example. Have you spent many hours learning about these games, outside of playing them? Are you familiar with the many types of games and what makes them distinct? That can be helpful experience in the pursuit of voice acting.
Others, who have been in musicals and stage performances for theatre, have sat under the direction of different types of people. They have learned how to express emotions and take the form of their character.
Do you have educational experiences? Experience with edits for social media? Do you like to play charades? Have you ever created a story with characters? Are you well-versed in many animated series? Does talk-show radio always play in your car?
Consider these types of questions when taking steps towards voice acting.
Which leads us to….figuring out where those steps could lead you and where you want to end up.
Third, identify your goals.
Where do you see yourself, short-term and long-term?
Fortunately, life is not linear in the sense that you have to stay on one path and stick to it indefinitely. Things change, things happen. You may find yourself no longer walking that road entirely at some point along the way. Maybe you’ll return to it in 10 years time, maybe not. But every worthy experience IS worth trying.
Short-term goals may include: Learn voice acting terminology. Watch a show and pay attention to how the actors emphasize words, how they cry, how they yell, and how they contribute to the story more generally. Follow voice actors on social media.
Long-term goals may include: Complete a role, voicing an audiobook that has thousands of listeners. Earn a certain amount of money doing videogame projects. Get invited to be a guest at a convention. Work, 1-on-1, with a director at your favorite studio.
Maybe jot some goals down or keep them in mind.
And then it’s time to build your studio, which brings us to the next point on our list.
Fourth, determine your budget and environment.
How much money are you willing to spend on equipment, coaching, etc.?
The previous question should help guide you.
But even if you have lofty goals, there is no need to spend thousands of dollars getting started.
Are you in a house, an apartment? A city or a small town? Do you have noisy neighbors or pets? Would you have a closet full of clothes to record in, or do you need to opt for the under-the-blanket method?
Community resources – is there a local studio? Maybe at a library or the school you attend?
Do you know anyone who has a good place to record or even equipment to borrow, rent, or purchase?
Once you identify these things, you can figure out what you might be missing.
Can you use a phone to record? Yes and no. Many casting calls specify that a good quality microphone is required. But some do not! You can even use a phone to record yourself and practice.
Will any cheap microphone work? Potentially, if your space is quiet and does not have many extra sounds, like an echo when you speak. Even a good microphone sounds bad in a noisy environment.
What other equipment might I need? If you have a big budget, you can get an interface and software to help you achieve the best-quality audio for auditions and recordings for projects you are in.
But many people don’t have the means to buy those things. So, with experience and goals in mind, consider starting with either a phone or microphone in a quiet place and then give yourself time develop your library of equipment and software, or use a local studio that can be rented or may even be a free community resource.
Once you’ve got these things, you’re ready to audition!
Fifth, audition, audition, audition again!
So you’re ready to record your first audition – or rather, your first official voice acting audition. Maybe you feel a bit nervous or perhaps overconfident. Perhaps you are tempted to compare yourself to others and wonder if your voice would be the perfect fit.
Here are some important things to keep in mind.
Don’t audition for a character that will make you miserable. You don’t have to be every voice. That’s why there are a ton of different people in the industry with unique qualities and intentions. Choose the voice that you feel most comfortable with at the time, considering that you’ll need to record sometimes for an hour, two hours, or a large part of the day using that voice. There is plenty of time to develop and strengthen your body’s ability to adapt to new styles, grow your range, and unlock abilities you didn’t know you had. Some of the most consistent voice actors have a handful of voices they do best with, the voices you recognize them as. They’re in it for the long haul, so they need to choose wisely.
On top of that, the ones making the casting decisions are human, and humans have good days and bad days. They also, sometimes, provide information about a character that is either very vague or highly specific while having a particular voice in mind. You could send in a stellar audition with what you consider to be high quality with no obvious mistakes and seemed to fit into the description of the character they were looking for. And yet, they may not be in the right mood to cast at that moment because they have not had a chance to drink their coffee. They may even think your voice fits perfectly with another character and ask you to voice them instead! Just give it your all and hope for the right outcome, whatever it might be.
There’s also this. I’ve heard it said before that you are not competing with the other voice actors auditioning for your character. If you go into an audition, virtually or in-person, and think of everyone else as your enemy, you’ll never enjoy the business of voice acting. Some of those people may be your best role models or mentors, or even work alongside you on a project at some point. Focus instead on hyping them up, encouraging them to do their best and congratulating them when they get a role.
Now, go and try something new!
Sincerely,
Tessa Huffman, Voice Actor
Find me at TessaHuffmanVO.com
