A career as a voice over artist is a worthwhile one if you are someone who enjoys an amalgamation of creativity and challenges in your professional life. With the rise in the use of voice overs not just for entertainment but also for marketing purposes over the last few years, a career as a voice over artist is gradually rising as a career choice for many individuals. Because the world of voice over is a lucrative one and there is a plethora of opportunities, creativity and challenges to explore and discover.
So, if you are an aspiring voice over artist hoping to step into this profession and need some pointers or just someone with an amazing voice looking for avenues to harness that talent, this is the right place for you. Because in today’s article we will explore six easy steps on how to become a professional voice over artist and hopefully give you headway into a promising career as one.
Who is a voice over artist?
Before we get to the how to part, it is integral to understand who is a voice over artist and what exactly his or her job profile entails.
According to target study.com, “Voice-over Artist (voice-over artist) is a professional who narrates documentaries and corporate videos from product use to joint venture presentations, from safety videos to form cell phone prompts and TV serial intros and recaps and radio commercials. In simple words, a voice-over artist converts the written words to audio. They just need to sit in front of a microphone, say some words and get an enviable remuneration.
It is also considered an off-camera commentary; voice-over is a technique wherein the voice is modified and changed to complement the visuals of a telefilm, documentary, advertisement, television serial or news, so broadcasted,”
Voice over artists are simply the actors behind the screen. Instead of expressions and movements, these people use their voices to portray their characters and emotions. For voice over artists, it is all about knowing the tricks to use their voices to the best of their abilities while being creative and experimental.
Job profile of a voice over artist:
So, what exactly does the job profile of a voice over artist include? Here are a few examples of what one can expect from a career as a voice over artist.
Public service announcements
Commercials
Audiobooks
Foreign language films
Animated films
Video games
Podcasts
Award shows
Toys
Documentaries
Automated systems, such as a GPS
Computer programs
6 steps on how to become a voice over artist in India:
Now that the basics are covered, let us quickly scan through the six simple steps on how you can become a good voice over artist. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
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Assess your skills and strengths
The first step to becoming a professional voice over artist is to understand and assess the skills that you have. Do you have a strong voice? Or a natural talent for voice modulation? Whatever it might be, having an idea of your skills and strengths will help you to work on them while understanding the new skills that you may want to harness.
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Read out loud
Your voice is your best friend if you want a promising career as a voice over artist. Hence, it is important for you to be well acquainted with every aspect of your voice. Reading out loud can be good exercise to do that as it will allow you to get familiar with your voice and how it may sound to others.
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Your own recording studio
Before stepping into the professional realm, it is very important to have thorough know-how of your skills and this can be easily achieved through constant practise. Recording studios can help with this but they can also be very heavy on your pocket, especially if you are an aspiring voice actor.
But worry not because, these days, you can simply create your own recording studio at the convenience of your home. And you don’t need to burn a hole in your pocket for that. There are several kinds of cheap and even free but amazing recording software available all over the internet to help you. Apart from that, you will need a microphone, obviously a computer and sound proofing equipment, all of which can be easily and cheaply accessible.
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Auditioning
The next step to becoming a successful voice over artist is to audition. Yes, that’s right. As daunting as it may sound, auditioning is your way to not just gain exposure, but also a way to practise your skills and expose yourself to the world of voice overs and how it works. Auditioning is also integral for building up an impressive portfolio and warding off your fears.
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Freelancing
The path to becoming a successful voice over artist comes with a lot of practice and gaining experience. And a great way to gain experience is through freelancing. There are several sites and platforms, for example Fiverr, that provide amazing opportunities for aspiring freelancers, allowing them to gain exposure along with income. If you want to build an impressive portfolio, freelancing is undoubtedly a great option.
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Voice coaching
Another integral, if not mandatory, step to becoming a professional voice over artist is to coach your voice and this can be done with the help of a professional voice coach. Of course, hiring a voice coach can be expensive and this step is not mandatory, but could be of great significance if you want to make the best out of your voice. A voice coach can help you understand your voice better while working on its strengths and weaknesses.
With technological advancement and an increase in the shift towards more creative and unconventional career choices, a career as a professional voice over artist has shown a positive shift in the last few years. The power of a strong voice is undeniable and that has been proved time and again, as we witness a steady growth in the use of voice overs for marketing and promotional activities.
And while many people are still yet to get acquainted with the concept of voice overs, regardless of how long it has prevailed as an important medium for entertainment and information, the future undoubtedly looks promising as we shift our perspective towards more unconventional and creativity-driven career paths such as that of a voice over artist.
