Becoming a Voice Over Standout

Some say it’s all in the voice, others say it takes years to become a voice over master. Any way you dice it, it’s not easy to become a voice over legend. Many have come and gone. The greats like Don Lafontaine to Mark Elliot, to the unknown voice over names like Steve Blum, Mel Blanc and Peter Cullen. You’ve heard their voices in just about anything and everything, but never knew who they belonged to.

They all made their start somewhere, whether it be acting or making commercials. They had to develop their voice over talent and create themselves as a brand.

Check out this funny video to see how the professionals poked fun at being in the voice over business.

Here are some tips that will make you a successful voice over professional:

Make Your Voice Unique

Don’t just become a celebrity voice imitator; learn to create parody type voices of famous actors of characters. Envision how you would want the voice of Bugs Bunny to sound, instead of what he sounds like. You can’t be Mel Blanc, but you can try and push your voice like he did. Plus if a company wanted to hire Mel Blanc to do the voice they have a character for, they would. Instead they are looking for something fresh and different to attribute to their brand.

It doesn’t just have to be a character voice either. If you have the “voice” that people compliment is good for radio or the like, continue to practice that. Read books out loud or find scripts to practice on. You’d be surprised to find that if you have a younger sounding voice, that kids shows could be perfect for your type of voice.

Find an Agent

You’re technically an actor. So you need an agent, who finds that your voice acting is marketable, and will take the time to get you work. Whether it is at casting calls or sending out your demo reel, an agent can see your potential and point you into the right direction in the voice over industry. Let them be your guide to a fruitful voice over career.

Demo Reels

You should record your voice to send out as your resume. The demo reel should showcase your voice talents, previous work highlights and successful material. You should have a few minutes of good voiceover work but the first 30 seconds will really grab the attention of any potential employer, so make that your best work.

And since you are just the talent, the best way to have your voice put to the digital waves, is for a professional company like Wavemaker Studio to record and produce it. Wavemaker Studio specializes in voice over work, and can help create the best demo reel you’ll need to become a voice over standout.