Have you ever thought about how many TV shows, Cartoons, YouTube videos, Webisodes, Radio ads, Commercials, Toys, Video Games, Apps, Audiobooks, and Podcasts there are out there? Overwhelming! But that’s certainly a good thing if you are a Voiceover Talent. There are a variety of Voiceover opportunities available in the market across different genres that use Kids & Teens voices.
Note, these categories are listed alphabetically, not according to popularity or likelihood of booking potential.
ANIMATION
Animation voiceover includes series or cartoons, feature films, animated shorts, and webisodes. You may watch animation on broadcast network TV, streaming and on-demand services, or on YouTube and other social media outlets. Animation voiceover may include character voices, accents, and singing. An industry trend is to use an age-appropriate natural voice such as using a real 10-year-old kid to voice an 8 to 12-year-old animated character.
APPS
Apps that you can download to your mobile device often call for voiceover. Apps are created for entertainment purposes, educational purposes, or both (think “ABC Mouse”). This style of voiceover calls for upbeat, clear, and well enunciated delivery.
AUDIOBOOKS
Audiobooks are books recorded and then distributed for listening rather than reading. Kids & Teens who represent the demographic of a story’s target audience are a natural fit to narrate audiobooks. This voiceover style calls for great storytelling ability to add interest and variety to the narration.
COMMERCIALS
Commercials on TV, radio, on-demand streaming services, and social media outlets make up a large part of the voiceover market. Commercials include everything from products, to services, to entertainment – anything you can buy! The delivery style often calls for natural, real, or conversational.
eLEARNING
eLearning, or “electronic learning”, is education delivered online. eLearning voiceover accompanies educational materials and can cover any range of topics that you may learn in school. This voiceover style calls for very clear, well enunciated, and pleasant delivery to keep learners engaged in the material.
EXPLAINER VIDEOS
The goal of an Explainer Video (typically 1 to 2-minutes in length) is to explain the benefits of a service or how to use a product. Explainer videos are usually shown on a company’s website and social media outlets. The voiceover delivery style accompanying the video should match the highlighted product or service and be relatable to the target customer.
PODCASTS
Podcasts are digital audio files available online that are downloadable to your mobile device. Podcasts are produced for a range of entertainment and educational topics. Kids & Teens who represent the demographic of the target listener are a natural fit to voice a podcast. The voiceover delivery style should match the topic and purpose of the given podcast.
PROMOS: Promo voiceover categories include TV shows, movie trailers, and book release promotions. This voiceover style combines fast-paced delivery with storytelling skills. The voiceover delivery is cut together with clips from the promoted show, movie or book. For example: “Will and her friends ever find a way off the island? Tune in Saturday at 9am to find out what happens! here on .”
PSAS
“PSA” stands for Public Service Announcement. PSAs are like commercials. But they convey more serious topics and messaging to the listener (examples include anti-bullying, fighting homelessness, and encouraging child literacy). PSAs can be broadcast on TV, radio, internet, and streaming services and often call for a more serious, heartfelt, or emotional delivery.
SINGING
Singing voiceover opportunities arises across many voiceover genres. Commercials may have a product jingle. Animated series may have theme songs or a character may sing as part of an episode. Toys, Games, and Apps may teach kids to sing the alphabet. Kid-themed YouTube channels may produce entertaining videos along to popular nursery rhymes. It is a bonus for Kids & Teens with voiceover skills to also have singing ability.
TOYS
There are tons of Singing & Talking Toys on the market. Press a button, squeeze a paw, turn a dial… and out comes a talking or singing response. This voiceover style calls for high energy, friendly, and well enunciated delivery. Great singing talent and the ability to perform fun sounds (like cheers, giggles, and reactions) are bonus skills for this genre.
VIDEO GAMES
Video Game voiceover calls for high-energy delivery, endurance, and great acting skills. Bonus skills for this genre include great improvisation skills and the ability to perform a range of effort noises (like grunts, falls, sighs, yells, and cheers). Kids & Teens who represent the actual demographic of a character are sometimes a good fit to voice a video game character.
