How to Begin Voice Acting

Do you dream of starring in an animated feature film? Do you long to hear your voice reading a classic novel on CD? If so, voice acting may be the perfect career for you. Voice acting is a highly competitive field and requires hard work and determination. Follow these steps to begin a career in the growing field of voice acting.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Hire a private voice instructor. You will require formal training in voice mechanics and methods of mastering dialects. Once you have knowledge of your vocal range and ability, you can successfully begin to hone your craft.

2. Develop characters of your own. Listen carefully to those around you for inspiration. You will need to have an arsenal of voices at your disposal to audition for parts.

3. Make a demo tape. You need a demo tape to get representation and recognition. Your demo shape should showcase the range of your talent and should be of professional quality. Although professional recording studios charge a fee to cut a demo, the investment in your career is well worth it.

4. Get a head shot. Although voice actors operate behind the scenes, your head shot will be a crucial element in gaining representation and work. Voice acting is acting and most of the traditional rules apply.

5. Find an agent. Send your demo tape, head shot and resume to talent agents that specialize in voice acting talent. You will need formal representation to get legitimate work.

6. Move to where the work is. Be willing to relocate to maximize opportunity. If you limit yourself geographically, you limit your chances at success. Los Angeles is the best location for aspiring actors of all kinds, including voice actors.

Tips & Warnings

• The field of voice acting is growing rapidly and new opportunities abound in interactive media such as video games and the Internet.
• Acting is a tough business and you must learn to accept rejection. It is hard to begin a career in voice acting and very few make it big. Many voice actors never move beyond narrating commercials or corporate training materials. It is essential to begin your career in voice acting with a realistic view of the work you will probably be doing.
• Beware of so-called talent agencies that charge large fees for representation. Carefully research an agency before forwarding your head shot and demo tape.