| Rebecca contacted me asking for information on | | | | 1. See if you can have copies of the scripts to |
| voiceovers: how to get into the industry and tips! | | | | prepare beforehand. |
| The most informative and objective information I | | | | 2. Read through, marking your script for breathing |
| have read is on The Stage website. As with other | | | | and emphasis of works. |
| areas of the performing industry, they provide | | | | 3. Record the scripts in your home. Ask yourself |
| tips on how to develop your voiceover career It | | | | the following questions. How can you make them |
| gives you some ideas of how the industry works, | | | | better? Speed, clarity of voice, comprehension. |
| and suggestions of how to market yourself. | | | | How can you vary these to make it more |
| There are different areas where voiceover artists | | | | interesting? |
| are required, including narrating videos for | | | | 4. See if you can vary the characters – sad |
| corporate clients, advertising, public address | | | | person – happy – enthusiastic etc. Also, |
| messages etc. In order to get into the industry, | | | | can you read the script faster/slower/quieter |
| you require a sample recording of a variety of | | | | louder etc. |
| texts to send to potential clients. A number of | | | | 5. Be careful not to mimic accents: at a voice |
| companies can do this for you; they provide you | | | | over casting, they will use an authentic voice. |
| with a set of scripts, recording time in a studio | | | | 6. Practice reading stories and newspaper articles. |
| and a list of contacts they have for you to send | | | | The Royal Society for the Blind have a scheme |
| your voice over CD to. These companies will | | | | where people record newspapers being read. This |
| provide you with the quality of recording required, | | | | can be invaluable practice. Likewise, your local |
| and they have knowledge of the range of scripts | | | | primary school might really appreciate you |
| to show off different aspects of your voice. | | | | volunteering to record books for the children. |
| However, it is worthwhile considering that these | | | | 7. Try to get feedback from colleagues, partners |
| companies normally expect you to be already | | | | and family; how can you create more variety |
| proficient in reading scripts and confident enough | | | | with your voice? Can your words be clearly |
| to prepare, comprehend and perform these | | | | heard? |
| quickly. Remember that hours in the recording | | | | 8. Listen to adverts, documentaries and an in |
| studio will cost your potential clients money, and | | | | particular the radio. How do the voice over artists |
| you will only have a limited amount of time in the | | | | use their voices? What works? What is |
| recording studio, and therefore you will already | | | | successful?? |
| need to feel confident in this environment to get | | | | 9. Use the expertise of a voice coach to prepare |
| the most out of the session. | | | | yourself for the recording session. They will help |
| If you have studied at a Drama School or Music | | | | you develop skills in ‘playing your voice like a |
| College Opera course, you are likely to have | | | | musical instrument’. They will teach you to |
| studied scripts: their preparation, varying tempi, | | | | create a good quality sound with your voice as |
| moods, volume etc in your voice. But everyone | | | | well as making it more interesting. |
| needs to see what variety they can explore in | | | | 10. Use this time and preparation as an enjoyable |
| their reading of scripts before contemplating a | | | | challenge. It will open new doors for you as well |
| recording session. In other words, it’s all in the | | | | as developing more self knowledge. |
| preparation! It is situations like these where a | | | | Finally, I listened to a fascinating programme about |
| voice coach can be invaluable to develop your | | | | the casting of actors to read novels. The main tip |
| vocal skills, and prepare you for making the most | | | | was to ensure you read the entire novel and |
| of this opportunity. | | | | really prepare, otherwise you are caught out! |
| Here are my tips for preparing yourself for a | | | | Unfortunately the BBC has helpfully deleted it, but |
| recording session: the first stage before winning | | | | it included a famous story about an actor who |
| your first voice over contract. | | | | didn’t prepare properly. |