Rebecca contacted me asking for information on voiceovers: how to get into the industry and tips!

 

The most informative and objective information I have read is on The Stage website. As with other areas of the performing industry, they provide tips on how to develop your voiceover career

www.thestage.co.uk/connect/howto/voiceover.php It gives you some ideas of how the industry works, and suggestions of how to market yourself.

 

There are different areas where voiceover artists are required, including narrating videos for corporate clients, advertising, public address messages etc. In order to get into the industry, you require a sample recording of a variety of texts to send to potential clients. A number of companies can do this for you; they provide you with a set of scripts, recording time in a studio and a list of contacts they have for you to send your voice over CD to. These companies will provide you with the quality of recording required, and they have knowledge of the range of scripts to show off different aspects of your voice. However, it is worthwhile considering that these companies normally expect you to be already proficient in reading scripts and confident enough to prepare, comprehend and perform these quickly. Remember that hours in the recording studio will cost your potential clients money, and you will only have a limited amount of time in the recording studio, and therefore you will already need to feel confident in this environment to get the most out of the session.

 

If you have studied at a Drama School or Music College Opera course, you are likely to have studied scripts: their preparation, varying tempi, moods, volume etc in your voice. But everyone needs to see what variety they can explore in their reading of scripts before contemplating a recording session. In other words, it’s all in the preparation! It is situations like these where a voice coach can be invaluable to develop your vocal skills, and prepare you for making the most of this opportunity.

 

Here are my tips for preparing yourself for a recording session: the first stage before winning your first voice over contract.

 

1. See if you can have copies of the scripts to prepare beforehand.
2. Read through, marking your script for breathing and emphasis of works.
3. Record the scripts in your home. Ask yourself the following questions. How can you make them better? Speed, clarity of voice, comprehension. How can you vary these to make it more interesting?
4. See if you can vary the characters – sad person – happy – enthusiastic etc. Also, can you read the script faster/slower/quieter/louder etc.
5. Be careful not to mimic accents: at a voice over casting, they will use an authentic voice.
6. Practice reading stories and newspaper articles. The Royal Society for the Blind have a scheme where people record newspapers being read. This can be invaluable practice. Likewise, your local primary school might really appreciate you volunteering to record books for the children.
7. Try to get feedback from colleagues, partners and family; how can you create more variety with your voice? Can your words be clearly heard?
8. Listen to adverts, documentaries and an in particular the radio. How do the voice over artists use their voices? What works? What is successful??
9. Use the expertise of a voice coach to prepare yourself for the recording session. They will help you develop skills in ‘playing your voice like a musical instrument’. They will teach you to create a good quality sound with your voice as well as making it more interesting.
10. Use this time and preparation as an enjoyable challenge. It will open new doors for you as well as developing more self knowledge.

 

Finally, I listened to a fascinating programme about the casting of actors to read novels. Unfortunately the BBC have deleted the programme from their website but the main tip was to ensure you read the entire novel and really prepare, otherwise you are caught out! The actors cited a famous occasion where a voice over artist had failed to prepare properly when recording a novel. He discovered the error of his ways when it was revealed that the hero of the novel had a stutter - on the last page!

 

Have a great time with this challenge, and if you want any more advice, do contact me!