admin, Author at The Sound Presenter • Page 3 of 3

Voice Over Experience

I originally studied voice in the early 80’s at the Australian Film Television & Radio School as well as private tutors. My confidence and voice really improved with the help of a retired stage director Russell Jarrett. He graduated from RADA in the UK. I also studied at NIDA as a playwright in 1986. My career includes:

Singer Luke Dolahenty live on-air with The Captain.

International Sounding Voice

I have done thousands of hours of studio work over the past three decades. Including voices for television, advertising, cinema, documentaries, cartoons, web and messages on hold. I also voiced the worldwide advertising for Thai and Ethiopian Airlines – with cinema, television and in-flight.

If English is your second language the script can be polished for a better flow.

Below are some of the clients I have voice over experience with. Many are ongoing.

Voice Over Talent Agents

Finding good voice over talent agents is easy. The biggest challenge is getting an agent to take you on their books. If you have the drive and energy it will happen – that is, if you are prepared to work at it.

When I worked in advertising agencies and radio stations I hired voice talent. I would often use my favourite talent because I knew they could deliver the best reads for me. That may sound unfair but I would much prefer to spend ten minutes in the studio than a full hour. A good voice artist will nail the script in a few reads – whereas someone with inexperience can take ages and ages to get it right – but they both earn the same money.

If you want work and lots of it you have to build your name and the quality of your reads. Just having a nice sounding voice is not enough.

How Voice Over Talent Agents Work

They make their money by charging a percentage of your fee. If they specialise in voice only they have to work very hard to make a profit. This means they want you working. Your attitude and performance with the client will result in more or less work. Here are some examples of how talent have caused me headaches:

A voice talent didn’t turn up
One was “high” as a kite
One was still drunk from the night before
Some complain they don’t get enough work
One shared a hard luck story and keep complaining about money
Only had a few minutes to do the job as they had another booking elsewhere (even though I had booked them for an hour)
I asked one talent to help me with an extra “free” script as I had a small budget. She said “no”. I had already paid her over $5,000 in the past few months. Technically I was wrong in asking this but life is about a bit of give and take. I never used her again. I don’t care if she was great – I only want to work with nice people.

I mention this as you have to work with the client – not just your agent. If the client likes you – they will tell your agent and you will be asked back. Then your agent will “love” you because you are bringing in profits. Very soon your agent will sing your praises to more clients – and you get more work.

Your agent also builds relationships – with advertising agencies, studios and radio stations – the last thing she wants is anyone stuffing up that relationship. But if you help her build those relationships you will SHINE.

Here are some examples of how talent has impressed me:

Arrives 15 minutes before the booking time
Sent me a thank you card or a bottle of wine at Christmas
Willing to do charity jobs for free
Ask clarification if they are not sure of my instructions
Being nice and friendly

Are all Voice Over Talent Agents the Same?

Every voice artist has a different story here. But the best agent is the one who gets you work. And agents say the best voice artist is the one who gets them work. Don’t sit back and expect your agent to do everything – you will both tire of each other very quickly.

There are many on-line voice over talent agents now – some will take anyone. Others are much more choosy. As a client it takes ages to source these websites – I have been lucky with some I have found. But not always.

What are they Looking For?

Agents want voices that are different. They are always on the lookout even though they say their books are full. Their books have ALWAYS been full but people still manage to get on them.

I have been disappointed with some fresh new talent – they present a CD of fine commercial reads. But once they are in the studio they haven’t got what it takes. Their demo CD has been heavily produced at their voice-over course. If your CD has been produced like that, then make sure you can deliver the goods – because you won’t get a second chance. Practice your reads – over and over and over. Get a mentor. Present the best possible “you” to the voice over talent agents.

How to do Voice Overs

Here I’ll explain how to do voice overs. It is not as easy as it sounds. But if you are a client wanting to save a few dollars or you’re interested in getting into voice over work you will find these pages helpful. My experience comes from three decades of voice work on both sides of the microphone.

It all Starts with the Script

You really need a good script. And a word of warning – you must read your script out loud before you attempt to record it. What is written may read perfectly well – but when spoken out loud it may sound a bit odd. Be prepared to change on the fly.

A script with double spacing and in Georgia 14 point is much easier to read than single spacing and in Arial 10 point. When reading the script you want to be able to concentrate on your delivery without the hassles of trying to read a font that doesn’t flow or is too small.

When you rehearse mark pauses throughout and check with the writer or producer that your pausing won’t affect the read. Sometimes pausing in the wrong places can change the meaning.

Is Your Voice OK?

Or more importantly will your audience find your voice ok. If you are voicing something to do with your work – make it sound good. If you want to gain customers or keep your current ones, make sure it sounds good. If it is for an audition make sure it sounds good.

Most times it is not the sound of your voice – it is the way you read the script. There will be work for your type of voice you just need to polish your delivery. And practice.

How to do Voice Overs – Warm Up

Before you attempt to voice anything warm up. You can’t expect to be in top shape if you haven’t practiced. Those vocal chords are the same as any instrument – make sure they are in tune. If you have never done a voice over before – you had some work to do. But it is fun and a tool you can use over and over again.

Put some SMILE into Your Delivery

It is very important to SMILE when you read – it will feel strange but it changes the sound of the voice to a much more friendly read. Move your arms and body to deliver the best sound possible. Think of yourself as an actor on stage.

Buy Some Equipment

If you are serious get a good microphone, headphones, pop-guard, a pre-amp and a computer. You can’t expect your voice to sound great if you are using inferior equipment. The best voice over microphone for me is a RODE NT3. My pre-amp is a Tube Ultragain MIC200. I also bought a pop guard and cables off Ebay – and how did I choose them? I called an online voice studio and asked what recommendations they give their voice artists.

If you are doing a one-off a ZOOM Digital Recorder is great. Although I connect a RODE NTG-3 to it when I am in the field. This is mostly for video productions. I’d hesitate using my mobile phone for recording but as a last resort some offer a pretty good sound.

If you like a particular sound you hear on television ring the studios or production company and ask for the producer or the audio engineer. I did this after watching a program that specialised in street interviews – Front-Up with Andrew Urban. The engineer was more than helpful and he explained how he bought and why he bought the SHURE VP64AL. Audio engineers are left in the background and when an outsider gives them praise they get warm and fuzzy.

Recording Levels

If you are recording at home ensure your levels are set right – I record my voice between -6 and -12 db.

Don’t gauge your levels by what you hear – yes, that is very important but the actual levels will make or break your recording. Too high or too low and you will have nightmares trying to fix – “you can’t make a purse out of a sow’s ear” comes to mind. If you are in the “red” nothing will fix it.

Build a Sound Room

Whilst this is not absolutely necessary for the one off it is suggested if you intend doing this on a regular basis. Now before you make the kids leave home early and convert their bedroom there are many easy ways to do this. Find a space, storeroom, under the stairs or even a shed – then soundproof with some bedding. But if you have a lot of money and want to create a space you’ll need to search further. There are many starving musicians who will rent their studio space for a few dollars. Many times they have all the equipment too and may even produce for you. But don’t let them take charge of your project. Again, you have to live with the end result – the producer is only part of your life for a few hours.

If you are thinking of a home studio for voice production let your earnings build your studio. Start small.

Knowing how to do voice overs is only the start. The best way to move ahead is to start doing them. Offer your services for free. Find a mentor. Get a voice coach – preferably a drama teacher. And practice, practice and do more practice.