Has your Kid/Teen ever expressed interest in doing Voiceover? Especially now with such a huge shift in the entertainment business, there are more and more opportunities to do voice over from anywhere in the world. But here’s the truth – it is tough to break in to and sustain a working career in the highly competitive Voiceover business. Getting started can seem daunting. Especially now with so much information out there… it’s almost too much information!
Here’s the positive news – as long as you are willing to put in the work, develop your talents, and learn about the industry, you can break into the VO industry! The expansion of new streaming services, on-demand content, technology, and the necessity to rethink work location arrangements, and podcast popularity has created more voiceover opportunities. Additionally, the call for authentic Kid/Teen voice talent across various genres including Podcasts, Advertising, Animation, eLearning, Toys & Games, Apps, and Narration is a notable trend in the Voiceover industry.
Coaching
Coaching is Key and is a critical first step in working in the Voiceover Field. Think of Voice-OVER as Voice-ACTING. Sometimes people think having a nice voice and being able to read equates to being able to do voiceover. But it’s much more than just talking into a microphone! Understanding and interpreting Commercial copy. Bringing a character to life for Animation. Giving voice to a Learning App or Toy. Narrating a story with engaging delivery. Each requires a different skillset and each requires training. Proper coaching and ongoing acting classes are key to booking jobs and being successful in the long run.
Major markets such as NY, LA, Chicago, and Atlanta are known for their group Voiceover classes and specialized workshops for Kids/Teens. However, with the latest trends for online options and remote learning, many top coaches and studios offer private coaching and specialty workshops online as well.
If your Kid/Teen already has acting, theater, or musical theater experience, specialized voiceover training is an excellent next step in order to learn industry specific skills and technique needed to enhance his/her acting foundation. If your Kid/Teen is brand new to the entertainment business or has limited acting experience, perhaps explore a single session voiceover workshop or online introduction class to determine if your Kid/Teen is passionate about pursuing voiceover further.
Equipment
You don’t need a fully equipped recording studio at home – yet! But you do need a quality microphone and recording software to get started. This will be necessary in order to record and edit auditions, or record demos and sample reads for your Kid/Teen’s voiceover coaching sessions. There are several affordable USB mics on the market and free downloadable software to record and edit audio. How-to tutorials on the basics of recording and editing audio are available online. To note, this recording arrangement is best suited for self-practice and recording auditions. Professional voiceover bookings require broadcast quality audio and often call for live client-directed sessions, which can be arranged with professional recording studios once reopened. Alternately, you can invest in upgrading a home studio to broadcast quality equipment once you have determine whether voice over is an ongoing option for you.
Practice
Practice makes progress. Ongoing practice is a key component to developing voiceover skill. Sources of voiceover practice copy are endless. Try out tongue-twister books! Listen to commercials! Watch cartoons! Have your Kid/Teen focus in on those areas that best suit his/her voice, interests, and target market.
Auditioning is excellent practice, and being proficient with the audition process is a critical skill necessary to compete in the competitive voiceover business. Finding auditions can be challenging, especially when just starting out. One option includes carefully researching online casting sites (there are several nationally and internationally) that specialize in voiceover. Another option includes receiving auditions via talent agencies. If your Kid/Teen already has a talent agent, ask to expand his/her representation to include voiceover as well (if the agency has a voiceover division).
Don’t rush it!
Your Kid/Teen does not need a voiceover demo to get started in the business. Eventually, a professional voice demo will be a critical marketing tool. However, in the early stages of your Kid/Teen exploring voiceover opportunities, it is best to focus on coaching rather than rushing to compile a demo before having the proper training. In fact, creating a demo before your Kid/Teen is ready can do more harm than help. Don’t rush it.
The More You Know!
The unique Voiceover business is continually growing and changing. If your Kid/Teen is interested in the business, do your homework and learn about the industry. Fortunately, the Voiceover community is communicative and generous. There are many excellent knowledge resources – YouTube web series, community Facebook groups, podcasts – that post expert discussions, offer Q&A threads, exchange technical advice, and comment on industry resources, trends and happenings.
Last thoughts…
Before traveling down this path, ask yourself, does my Kid/Teen really want to pursue this? If the answer is 100% yes, then go for it! Be prepared to invest time and money into quality coaching, learn the basics of recording and editing, devote your efforts to practice and auditioning, and take interest in learning about the industry. If the answer is only so-so, perhaps rethink the undertaking. The Voiceover business is fun and exciting. But it is also highly competitive and not something that offers quick rewards or achievement with only a fleeting effort. As with any passion, it requires ongoing training, hard work, and commitment.
See you In the Booth! We’ll be listening for you!
