Voice acting?
21-Aug-23 1:16am
#1 MrBean
Hey all, anyone have experience with doing any type of voice overs/voice acting and how best to get started? For 20+ years, I've had people telling me that I have a voice for radio (well now everyone says be a streamer or do a podcast). I've legit heard this no less than a thousand times and I've put it off for years about doing something with it. I love my job, but I don't want to spend my whole life working for big tech...
I speak in front of people, in person and remotely, all the time. I like to think I'm relatively well spoken and fluid with speech, keeping people engaged, and occasionally some laughter. I've been compared to Seth Rogen many times (I don't see it).
Anyway, I'd love to find a way to create side income while growing skill and reputation and potentially getting into something else along the way.
Just curios on starting paths to ramp up and ways of gaining visibility. I keep debating some type of streaming thing but I don't know if I have the right shtick to build an audience. Doing voice overs and acting (ideally in games) is really the ultimate goal.
Thanks for any and all advice!
#1 MrBean
Hey all, anyone have experience with doing any type of voice overs/voice acting and how best to get started? For 20+ years, I've had people telling me that I have a voice for radio (well now everyone says be a streamer or do a podcast). I've legit heard this no less than a thousand times and I've put it off for years about doing something with it. I love my job, but I don't want to spend my whole life working for big tech...
I speak in front of people, in person and remotely, all the time. I like to think I'm relatively well spoken and fluid with speech, keeping people engaged, and occasionally some laughter. I've been compared to Seth Rogen many times (I don't see it).
Anyway, I'd love to find a way to create side income while growing skill and reputation and potentially getting into something else along the way.
Just curios on starting paths to ramp up and ways of gaining visibility. I keep debating some type of streaming thing but I don't know if I have the right shtick to build an audience. Doing voice overs and acting (ideally in games) is really the ultimate goal.
Thanks for any and all advice!
21-Aug-23 8:08am
#2 Tony
I was familiar with some people who did local TV commercials. One of them was also the guy who made the local, Ronald McDonald live appearances. I met him when he appeared as Ronald at the restaurant where I worked. They worked out of a local talent agency.
In the early 70s, a local investment group started a chain of hamburger restaurants they called Burger Queen. Their mascot was Queenie Bee. The girl who played Queenie locally and in the TV commercials was a young girl a year behind me in our high school. She was also the daughter of the guy who played Ronald locally. One day when he was appearing where I worked, I asked him if anyone had commented to him about Ronald and Queenie living together. He looked at me very seriously and said McDonald's had somehow tried to interfere with her being Queenie.
#2 Tony
I was familiar with some people who did local TV commercials. One of them was also the guy who made the local, Ronald McDonald live appearances. I met him when he appeared as Ronald at the restaurant where I worked. They worked out of a local talent agency.
In the early 70s, a local investment group started a chain of hamburger restaurants they called Burger Queen. Their mascot was Queenie Bee. The girl who played Queenie locally and in the TV commercials was a young girl a year behind me in our high school. She was also the daughter of the guy who played Ronald locally. One day when he was appearing where I worked, I asked him if anyone had commented to him about Ronald and Queenie living together. He looked at me very seriously and said McDonald's had somehow tried to interfere with her being Queenie.
21-Aug-23 10:46am
#4 theJaw
My pal has been looking to get into voice acting for a while now too. He began remote VA training a few years ago and built his own recording booth and whatnot. I'm not exactly sure the route he took to find the teacher, but I do know it's possible to do over the ol' internet, so just search around. I'm sure you'll find something out there.
#4 theJaw
My pal has been looking to get into voice acting for a while now too. He began remote VA training a few years ago and built his own recording booth and whatnot. I'm not exactly sure the route he took to find the teacher, but I do know it's possible to do over the ol' internet, so just search around. I'm sure you'll find something out there.
21-Aug-23 11:47am
#5 Chad
I’ve narrated 10-20 training videos at work. I’ve never gotten paid though. So no real advice on how to monetize it. I think a big thing for me was talking a lot slower than felt natural.
#5 Chad
I’ve narrated 10-20 training videos at work. I’ve never gotten paid though. So no real advice on how to monetize it. I think a big thing for me was talking a lot slower than felt natural.
21-Aug-23 11:06pm
#6 Tony
I heard this piece of advice many years ago for singers and it likely applies to voice acting as well. Enunciate as though you were speaking to someone who has to read your lips.
#6 Tony
I heard this piece of advice many years ago for singers and it likely applies to voice acting as well. Enunciate as though you were speaking to someone who has to read your lips.
22-Aug-23 12:51pm
#7 BioHazardMan
I'm actually doing the same thing myself and trying to get into voice acting. What I've been doing is building up a portfolio, doing various kinds of recordings and voices, examples of what I can do. I'm thinking of starting to upload on a youtube channel, figured from there I could build and promote a personal website for professional inquiries. You may want to check out places like fiverr to do freelance work, you may not make a lot of money but paid gigs are paid and good experience/examples to add to a portfolio.
#7 BioHazardMan
I'm actually doing the same thing myself and trying to get into voice acting. What I've been doing is building up a portfolio, doing various kinds of recordings and voices, examples of what I can do. I'm thinking of starting to upload on a youtube channel, figured from there I could build and promote a personal website for professional inquiries. You may want to check out places like fiverr to do freelance work, you may not make a lot of money but paid gigs are paid and good experience/examples to add to a portfolio.
22-Aug-23 2:37pm
#8 SwiftJAB
I haven't done a ton of research here, but some things that I've heard is that you should try and build a demo. There's all types of vocal work, from dry readings (audio books, sponsorship readings) to high production voice acting (reading over music, adding effects, etc). I've got to imagine that YouTube has a wealth of "getting started" videos out there and reddit may even have full subreddits dedicated to this. I've been told that audiobooks are an easy way to enter as there are a lot of low-paying gigs out there for newbies to get into.
I like @BioHazardMan's approach, build a demo library, create a website, then try and get some gigs on Fiverr to get your feet wet.
#8 SwiftJAB
I haven't done a ton of research here, but some things that I've heard is that you should try and build a demo. There's all types of vocal work, from dry readings (audio books, sponsorship readings) to high production voice acting (reading over music, adding effects, etc). I've got to imagine that YouTube has a wealth of "getting started" videos out there and reddit may even have full subreddits dedicated to this. I've been told that audiobooks are an easy way to enter as there are a lot of low-paying gigs out there for newbies to get into.
I like @BioHazardMan's approach, build a demo library, create a website, then try and get some gigs on Fiverr to get your feet wet.
31-Aug-23 10:07pm
#9 thenadz
I know a few professional voice actors, some even did npc talk in red dead redemption 2 and do Sesame Street on hbo. If you’re just starting out - the first thing is you need vocal lessons from an expert, a lot of voice actors don’t just ‘get the gig’, they need to show that they’ve paid their dues and took lessons while building up their repertoire.
It’s also a good way to test yourself and get feedback from a real professional, which’ll make you even better at it.
#9 thenadz
I know a few professional voice actors, some even did npc talk in red dead redemption 2 and do Sesame Street on hbo. If you’re just starting out - the first thing is you need vocal lessons from an expert, a lot of voice actors don’t just ‘get the gig’, they need to show that they’ve paid their dues and took lessons while building up their repertoire.
It’s also a good way to test yourself and get feedback from a real professional, which’ll make you even better at it.
1-Sep-23 8:58pm
#11 HybridCRoW
Build a demo, network particularly with indie film makers, visit conventions and network there.
Also, it might be a bit tougher now with the strikes and stuff going on, but don't let that get in the way of things.
#11 HybridCRoW
Build a demo, network particularly with indie film makers, visit conventions and network there.
Also, it might be a bit tougher now with the strikes and stuff going on, but don't let that get in the way of things.
4-Sep-23 10:11am
#12 Frank
@MrBean I'm thinking we should collaborate on a venture. I also told I have the voice for radio, which is one reason I started my YouTube stuff.
#12 Frank
@MrBean I'm thinking we should collaborate on a venture. I also told I have the voice for radio, which is one reason I started my YouTube stuff.
Voice acting?