What Do You Do When You Need A Voice Actor?

Posted by juliabennet on February 7th, 2013

Let us say you want to make a video, or your own commercial. Maybe you need a narrator, or you have a class project and need another voice because the only guy in class sounds like a chainsaw, not exactly a romantic voice actor. What you need is voice over talent.

Many people try to turn to family and friends when they need help with a project. If you have tried that route, you know it does not always work out. It is difficult for people to understand your vision and where you are trying to go with it. Timing is everything; perfection is a must, which means there is a ton of hard work in the meantime. Watching your plans for a project slowly unravel should not be the death knell for your vision.

So what is the answer?
You have probably heard of them at one point or another. Every Disney film comes equipped with several. You need voice actors. Not everyone is able to fulfil the requirements for being a voice actor. It takes stamina and the unique ability to delve into your plans and vision and share it with you. It takes a lot of patience as well until they get it just right.

How do you find a voice actor?
Although you might run into someone you think has the perfect voice, they may not be able to keep up the tonal quality you need for hours of practicing, rereading, editing and anything else that becomes necessary. You can check local advertisements for voice actors, and any studios in the area to see if there is local talent. Make them audition; do not assume because they come with stellar references that they will be right for your needs. Everyone is unique and he or she may have their own special niche.

You can also search for talent online. You may be able to find a list of references, sound snippets, videos or other helpful content. They may be able to record a reading of some of your material as well so that you can listen to it as a form of internet auditioning. The benefits of searching online, are obvious and definitely worth considering. Meeting in person is great, but unfortunately limits your prospects. You may be stuck with subpar voice actors or virtually untested voice over talent. This translates to higher risk for your project. On the other hand, when you choose the internet, if you are able to work online, you can take your time to choose the talent, which is exactly right for your project. You will not have to settle for someone who does not understand your unique vision.

The finer points:
Make sure that your turnaround timeframes are clear to the person you are considering for hire. They will know what to expect and giving plenty of time allows them to get their voice over just right. Although references should not be the deciding factor, you will still want to consider the types of referrals he or she has been given. Remember the voice over talent you hire is what people will remember forever.

Start a conversation today with a Voice Actor; explain your needs for Voice over talent.