TA-DA!

Voice Over Agency

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Becoming a talent

Like most people who are new to voiceover, it may be surprising to learn that this “simple” question requires a rather involved answer. Voiceover is not an exact skill until it is. By that, we mean you have to get into the mix and begin training before you really begin to see what there is to learn and what pertains to you.

Training

The way one gets into VO acting is through training with a good coach. Once you have a certain amount of training under your belt, your coach will guide you through the process of creating a demo reel.

Demo

The demo reel is a critical tool if you’re ever to gain the attention of talent agents, casting directors, and buyers. You will also use your demo reel to showcase yourself to potential buyers you meet in your travels or whom you seek out for employment. It’s important to continue consulting with a coach, but at the very least, to use research and common sense to ensure that you’re operating within a professional production process. If you hear offers like, “Train and get a demo reel in one weekend,” or “four classes and a demo reel,” run for the hills. In fact, anyone who suggests that voice acting is something that can be learned easily or quickly is either a rip-off artist or completely out of the loop. After receiving good training and creating a professional demo reel, you’ll be ready to move forward, meeting agents and casting directors and learning how to promote yourself to buyers.

Home recording set-up

As most people have computers, it is relatively cheap to acquire a simple home/remote voice recording set up.  Setting up for recording at home may seem like an intimidating process but all you need is a decent microphone, an adequate recording program and some headphones. Rooms for recording will need treatment but there are solutions that are cost effective like confining the microphone only while recording, saving you from having to treat a whole area surrounding your audio capture. Most agencies require you to have your own home recording in order for you to record auditions for submissions for jobs. Remember, all you need to do is produce a clean and clear voice recording.

Getting started

So you have a demo and the ability to record from home, now what?  What you need is a plan to execute, submitting yourself into the world of voiceovers.  This should include acquiring an agent and setting yourself up to accommodate the international market via the internet.

The VO business is VERY competitive and the only way to keep working and making money is to MARKET, MARKET, MARKET.  Agents, online casting sites, marketing coaches… there’s lots of ways to keep your name AND VOICE top of mind.  Like any business, you should draw up a plan. The product you are marketing is your voice, and so like any other product one would sell, you must market it properly. This includes creating a website, a potential client list for leads as well as your short term goals, so that you can revisit your plan down the road and adjust it as needed.

Resources (not endorsed in any way by Ta-Da! Voiceworks)