It's best to use your natural voice when you start out, but you can learn to use it as an actor, varying pacing, intonation and learning how to breathe properly. A note here...many times breaths are edited out in a finished spot (in industry jargon commercials/ads are referred to as spots), so don't think you have to speak continuously without breathing like you might hear in a spot. But it does help to learn how to breathe properly. Also, while projecting (talking loudly) may be good for theatrical work, most often in voice over work, you will be required to talk in a softer, more conversational and evenly modulated tone...the louder tone you can save for hard-sell truck pull ads. 

If you can find a good voice coach, more power to you, but you can do it on your own. If you do look for a coach, be sure they have good references. You need a coach who understands what the advertising agencies and producers are listening for in a professional Voice Over Talent.

Practice until you sound good. Even if it's just for yourself at first. Be critical, but go easy on yourself. It takes time, even if you're a natural born Voice Over Artist. Practicing will also help improve your self-confidence, which you will need to fall back on at auditions where you may have only a couple minutes to get familiar with a script or piece of copy and two takes at the most usually to read it.

Since you used a computer to access this, you probably have enough equipment to get started for basic recording of your voice, maybe just requiring the purchase of a microphone that will work with your computer's sound card. Use the audio recording devices and programs that already come with most PCs and Macs these days. You just need to record and playback your voice at this point for practice.

An important point to remember here. Not many people like the sound of their own voice during playback at first, though it may be in proper fidelity. This is because you hear your voice a little differently than others do because of the way your voice's sound travels through the body to your ears. You're accustomed to usually hearing your voice only this way for as long as you've been alive. It may take years to appreciate the way it really sounds or you may never get used to it. Concentrate instead on how you read or interpret the script.

You will need to get a voice over demo produced and duplicated to cassette or the gaining in popularity (and much better quality) compact disc...the CD. In many cities, there are small production houses and producers who can help you put this together for a pretty reasonable fee, considering the time, advice and duplication costs involved. If you want an idea of what making a Voice Over Talent demo might involve, get the New York City version by clicking here. One Destiny Productions has some good packages, but you may find them also available from production studios in your area. Talented and knowledgeable Jennifer Vaughn has a page of advice and sells some tips in a guide on her "Voiceover Learning Center" page.

Getting into voice overs is not an inexpensive proposition. But if you have talent, and you've practiced, you shouldn't have to spend much over $1,000. Many demos are produced in the $350 - $500 range which should cover duplication expenses as well. The key is of course how much time it will take to make you and your voice overs sound good. Expect to spend more if it's going to take more time and work to get you to sound like a professional Voice Over Talent.

Once you have your demo in hand then deliver the CD or cassette of your voice over work to any local talent agency and/or companies seeking Voice Over Talent, such as cable companies (contact their production or advertising department), independent video producers and smaller advertising agencies for a start. When you do get work, occasionally ask for a copy of the finished spot or video. Many producers will be glad to help out once in a while. Some will for a small fee for tape or CD costs. You can also bring along a tape or blank CD for them to record a copy to. Samples of real voice overs will help get you more work, so be sure to save them for your next demo. If the finished spot isn't available, you can use a good take from your voice over session, so it doesn't hurt to ask for that instead.

Those are basic ideas to get you going. It's a tough business so good luck!

Kevin Sanderson

I found this posted recently in the Internet newsgroup alt.tv.voice-artists in response to a thread about getting started in the world of VOs...Talent agencies were being down played in the thread and here is a response from a talent agency which I found interesting and of good value for those wanting to get a bigger picture.

"Just putting my 2 cents in. The agency question is up for grabs really. It's
true, exceptionally brilliant voice-talent, once established, really doesn't
need a union or an agency to get them in the door. Very experienced talent
that does belong to an agency often does so just for the networking benefits
more than the exposure. Also, most VO people, at least the really good ones,
are true artists and not necessarily the best business managers, a good
agency will show you networking, selling yourself, hire coaches, and teach
you how to keep your studio time professional and effective. Nobody wants a
VO artist who takes 2 hours to voice one 30 second commercial.

If you're brand-spanking new to the VO game, a good agency will at the very
least work you through the ropes of getting a professional demo together,
getting your first few gigs, and helping you through your first time in the
client's studio. If you don't go with an agent, and are new to the biz, then
be prepared for a lot of pavement pounding which today is done mostly by
phone, email, shipping out Demo CD after Demo CD and uploading demos to ftp
sites. You have to be pushing yourself 24-7 to everyone when you're just
starting out.... something to think about for letting an agency do instead
of you while you still need to work elsewhere to pay the bills.

On joining a union. I'm of the same mind as others... however, keep in mind,
a lot of stations are restricted by the union agreements in their area and
can only use a small percentage of non-union talent.. So unless you have a
bunch of stations in your portfolio, non-union work takes even more pavement
pounding than the "boys with the cards". Start yourself off by getting your
name in front of the program directors and creative directors. It's as
simple as sending out an email asking how to submit a voice demo. I haven't
met a Creative director yet who won't point new talent in the right
direction.

On the location thing... if you're planning on going the non-union,
non-agency route, then you need to set yourself in a location that is open
to walk-in auditions (hand delivered demos & bios)... LA, NY, Toronto and
Vancouver.

Just stuff to keep in mind...

That's my bit :)

TA

247 Radio Group Talent Agency
www.247radiogroup.com"

 
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