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Allow me to repeat the statement again: Voice Acting is a job! That means you need training, no excuses. Ok, you can make cool voices, but that is not enough. You need to have the talent to act, take direction, and control your voice. This is not something everyone can do, but some can be trained to do. If there is a drive to truly succeed, which means not just believing but DOING, then voice over acting is for you!
Acting is very competitive, and voice-acting probably more so. You have to be where the jobs are, which means a large commercial metropolitan area like Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago-to name the majors. Competition is fierce! From established talent to Hollywood actors getting jobs because of their "branded" vocal talents, beginners have to be ready to hit the pavement for even a minimal part.
Many voice-acting jobs mandate being a union member; meaning membership in one or both the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) or the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) is required. Unfortunately for those seeking to enter the anime voice acting market, many studios do not use union talent. So be sure to do your research! If you are in the union you may not be able to act in non-union jobs, which many local businesses use due to the low cost. But being in the union is important in regards to salary, health insurance and pension plans.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and dejected at this point, DO NOT. This is just the first step! Continue on...
Traditional acting classes are easy to locate. Your sources for finding classes include, obviously the World Wide Web, the Yellow Pages, local colleges and community centers. Finding a voice over class, well that is more challenging.
Voice Over Directors and Producers want performers who have a diverse range of vocal skills. Performers should have control over vocal flair and be able to replicate this proficiency on a consistent basis. That means training to control your voice.
Finding a successful and competent coach is equal to being able to act. Always inquire about the credentials of anyone in the field. Testimonies and a resume of the teacher's own works are indispensable in determining whether or not to enroll in a particular program.
Many of the Voice-Over training programs are workshops. So even if you do not live near a Voice Coach you can fly, drive, take the bus, train, or if you like teleport to a locale for several days. If this entire process appears to be expensive and time consuming, that is because it is. You cannot expect to be a success without investing time and money to make sure you are among the best in the game.
The format of actor's resume is simple. You can find literally millions online. But what is not simple is finding the jobs to place on the resume. Then there is the compulsory Demo that displays your talents. So where do you go in order to find the jobs to achieve your dream? If you are in one or both of the unions job information will be available to you, because as we know membership has its privileges.
But for the rest your answer lies in the Trade Publications.
A trade publication is a newspaper, magazine, or even a website that provides information about a particular industry.
These publications are often expensive due to production costs and the exclusivity of jobs listed. However, one must weigh the cash value to the economic value. Trade Publications provide information not only where the jobs are located, but listings for seminars, conventions, meetings, classes, agents, managers, lawyers, and information on producing demos.
Trade Publications are a vital resource for any career area, even if one is in a union. It is important, especially in a career field as competitive as Voice Acting to keep abreast of developments within the industry.
If you have made it successfully to the end of this article, it is apparent you are ready to begin your foray into the Voice Acting Industry. Congratulations! You are now ready to start reading, learning, and earning some cash. Here are a few links and resources to get you started:
Send your comments and or questions about this article to Bandwidth@ybfree.com.
Now for the first time ever a compilation of voice acting training organizations run by notable professionals with years of industry experience.
This guide provides six pages of addresses, phone numbers, and the websites of companies in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Texas, Utah and Washington.
This guide is a must have for those interested in pursing a career in the voice-over industry!