“Man, it’s taking forever to see results!”, “When will it be my time?”
Hey there, fellow voice actors! Trust me, I know the feeling of feeling like things are taking too long.
Today, I want to emphasize the importance of taking your time and savoring the journey of becoming a voice actor. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of wanting to be a full-time voice actor right away, but it’s important to approach this career path with patience and careful planning.
- Don’t rush into becoming a full-time voice actor.
Stop and take a look around every once in a while.
As tempting as it may be to dive headfirst into the voice acting world, it’s essential to remember that building a successful career takes time and dedication. Rather than immediately quitting your current job, consider starting part-time and gradually transitioning into full-time voice acting. This approach allows you to gain experience, build your portfolio, and establish connections without the added pressure of financial instability. This isn’t a walk in the park of course. It will require you to be dedicated enough to get those auditions done after work – but hey, I did it!
- Learn from your mistakes and keep practicing.
In the world of voice acting, continuous improvement is key. Make sure to take every opportunity to learn from your mistakes and grow as a performer. Learn from the mistakes of others, too. Remember, even the most accomplished voice actors started as beginners and faced their fair share of challenges. Each audition, recording session, or client interaction is a chance to refine your skills and become better at your craft. Embrace the process and never stop practicing!
- Learn the industry trends by watching commercials.
Commercials provide an excellent opportunity to stay abreast of the latest voice acting trends. Take the time to observe and analyze various commercials, paying close attention to the tone, style, and delivery of the voice actors. Notice how they effectively convey emotions, captivate audiences, and establish a connection. By studying commercials, you can gain valuable insights into what clients are seeking and adapt your delivery accordingly, ensuring that you remain relevant and in demand. Your coach can help you to see the trends if you are having a tough time.
- Learn the best way to edit your audio – less is more.
When it comes to editing your voice recordings, it’s essential to adopt the “less is more” approach. Avoid the temptation to over-process your audio with excessive effects or filters like EQ or heavy compression. Instead, focus on eliminating the need for those filters while maintaining clarity and quality. Many producers and audio engineers that I have spoken with have asked that we don’t touch our sound at all. A good rule of thumb would be to normalize your audio to -3db and maybe a very light mouth de-click. But other than that, as mentioned before, try to eliminate the need for those in the first place.
So, fellow voice actors, always keep in mind that the path to success in this industry is not a sprint but a marathon, Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is your voice-over business. Take your time, savor the journey, and find joy in the process of becoming the best voice actor you can be. Learn from your mistakes, maintain a consistent practice routine, stay informed about industry trends, and develop your audio editing skills. By embracing these principles, you’ll pave the way for a fulfilling and prosperous voice acting career.
Remember, slow and steady wins the race!
Check out our free PDF with pro-tips from real working voice-over actors here!
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