Exploring the Voice Over Iceberg: A Complex Industry not for the impatient.
Let’s check out the overused iceberg analogy to discuss Voice Over
The world of Voice Over is certainly like an iceberg. super cool looking (cheesy certainly pun intended) on the surface but with a ton of unseen parts beneath there's a lot going on beneath the surface that most people aren't aware of. Many people believe that being a successful voice actor is simply a matter of having a good voice and being able to read a script, but the truth is that there is A LOT more to it than that.
The tip of the iceberg: The cool voice trap
“Hey, my voice is deep, and epic and cool! I can do this!” Yea yea, maybe. I have a unique voice too but you first need to understand how to use that awesome voice you’ve got there.
The tip of the iceberg in the VO world is the awesome voice you hear in the final product. The voiceover that you hear on the radio, television, or in a game. It's the finished product that audiences are exposed to, and it's what most people think of when they hear the term "voice over."
However, what many people don't realize is that getting to the point where you can record a finished voiceover is a long and difficult process. You need to be able to read a script (shocker) and deliver it in a way that is engaging and compelling. You also need to be able to take direction and make adjustments on the fly. These skills can take years to develop and hone. People spends many many years honing this craft.
The hidden depths
Beneath the surface of the VO world lies a complex and competitive industry that requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. The truth is that breaking into the VO business is not easy, and many people who try don't succeed.
👻💀MARKETING💀👻
Hope I didn’t scare ya too badly
I’m just gonna rip the bandage off now. Say it with me everyone, “Voice over is a business and successful businesses need good marketing.” One of the main reasons why it's so difficult to get into the VO industry is that there is a lot of competition. There are thousands of people who want to be voice actors, and only a small percentage of them will ever make it. This means that you need to be extremely talented, well-trained, and persistent if you want to succeed. On top of that, people kinda sorta of need to know you exist. You can sound like Insert cool voice person here all day but if nobody knows or cares, then it doesn’t matter.
Another challenge facing aspiring voice actors is the need for high-quality equipment and a quiet recording space. You need a microphone, headphones, a computer, and software to edit your recordings, as well as a soundproof booth to record in. All of this is expensive and difficult to set up. If you audio is scuffed then your auditions are dead on arrive most of the time unless they are absolutely IN LOVE WITH THAT READ. You can maybe get away with it sometimes if they are willing to work around you securing a studio in some way. You probably aren’t going to get that, especially if you are not well known and trusted to deliver.
TLDR:
GET TRAINING! (YOUR COOL VOICE ISN’T ENOUGH. LEARN HOW TO USE IT EFFECTIVLY)
2. INVEST IN GOOD GEAR (YOUR COOL VOICE NEEDS TO SOUND GOOD)
3. GET TRAINING!! (REFER TO STEP 1)
4. LEARN TO MARKET YOUR BUSINESS! (WHO WILL PAY YOU VOICE ACT IF NOBODY KNOWS YOU EXIST???)
5. GET TRAINING!!! (SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK)
