We've all seen them; those commercials with animated characters that talk. There is a real voice behind those characters and that means opportunities. Even if you desire on-screen roles, voice acting can be a great place to start or an option between on-screen acting gigs. There are many businesses that will use voice actors for product demonstrations and informational products. The roles may be for commercial opportunities or even animation projects. These types of jobs can be found in any big city and an agent or casting company may be able to help obtain these roles.
Voice acting offers a learning experience to the industry and can lead to other acting positions. Don't be mistaken. Voice over work is extremely challenging and takes the same dedication as any other job in the acting industry. There are methods to continually improve your voice skills to be more diverse.
Start by simply recording yourself and listening to the tones and pitches in your voice. Move on to practicing short advertisements that you might see on any television commercial. Understanding how your voice sounds without visual facial expression is very important. So it's not necessarily what you say but rather how you say it.
Most local colleges will offer a variety of different acting classes. Take advantage of the learning opportunity and sign up for a class or two. Find local workshops to gather a variety of different learning perspectives. Take what you learn and practice. To better oneself in any professional environment, learning and practice are critical parts of the process. The more you are able to put into practice what you learn the more likely you'll continue to fine-tune your overall acting skills.
Be prepared when you have an audition. First, make sure to take care of your body. Get the necessary sleep and don't strain your voice. It's important to drink water and stay hydrated. Take care of yourself to be at your best for the performance. In addition, be ready for the role. Learn the lines and practice the part if you have the opportunity to do so beforehand. Simply put, a healthy and rested you will have a greater opportunity for success. And be prepared to work hard!
Finally, put together a demo tape and find representation to assist you in finding opportunities. Secure a location to perform recordings in a professional environment. Have friends and family listen to your recordings and provide feedback on how you can improve. Start with a casting company to help locate voice over opportunities. Remember not every audition will work out but don't be discouraged. Stay positive!