November 26, 2005

Curious, George: Use What Your Mama Give You Hi. Quick question: I have been told on many occassions that I have a good "radio voice". It's deep, has some range, carries well, etc. I've actually even had female bosses who told me they wanted to hire me after our initial phone conversation, just from hearing my voice. And more times than I can count, people have said that I should get into voice-over work. I'm pondering doing just that for extra income, just local radio spots, whatever. But I confess I have no idea how to get started. Do any of you have experience with this, tips for how to get started, etc? I'm not an actor and have no experience with this at all. Is it a difficult gig to get into part-time, are there specific hours you need to be available, is the money worth the work? Any stories/expertise you've got are welcome. Best comment will be awarded an autographed photo of bernockle in a raccoon costume and ball gag.
posted by middleclasstool 19 years ago
  • IN A WORLD BEFORE COMMENTS.... Sorry, I've no idea, just couldn't help myself...
  • Become the voice of Alexander's Grand Poobah campaign. "That's right, Gleepflorple Magnus of Omicron V wants to take away your right to shoot suction-cup darts at young girls! Is this the best way to fight intergalactic crime? What special interests are pulling your tentacles, Gleepflorple Magnus of Omicron V? This ad paid for by the Committee to Elect Alexander. "
  • This thread is useless without pictures sound files.
  • did you look here yet?
  • Comic and cartoon writer Mark Evanier has written two articles, one about cartoon voice work and a general FAQ, that may be helpful. (Even if they aren't, Evanier's site is a great way to spend an afternoon.)
  • Ghah! Scooped by Fuzzy! /Shakes fist at sky
  • I would think that broadcasting school would be the place to start.
  • voiceover ? the best in a limo no less... (via MeFi a few days ago...just in case you missed it there)
  • -- Best comment will be awarded an autographed photo of bernockle in a raccoon costume and ball gag. dooc ocmmoent bettet come soon canto tyope inthdihs thing
  • Darn it, HuronB, you beat me to it. Yes, if you haven't seen it, check that limo video out that HB posted. And the funny thing about it is if you haven't seen it, you've heard it. Many many times. Great stuff.
  • Get voice training. Practise reading stuff, tape it, then listen back & critique. Get an agent. Record a demo tape. Get gigs.
  • There's more to doing voice-overs than having a great voice. Good voice-over artists are actors; every inflection represents a deliberate choice. Some ways to get started: 1) Get scripts for 30 second spots -- write them, or copy down words from public service announcements and other radio ads. Read these aloud until you're comfortable with them. 2) Book an hour at a professional recording studio or radio station in your area. Record the spots as a way of producing your "instant portfolio." 3) Send the portfolio cuts, along with an introductory letter, to radio stations and recording studios in your area. Ask contacts there to recommend you to clients seeking good voices. 4) Send the portfolio cuts, along with an introductory letter, to non-profits in your area who do PSAs and radio ads. Offer your services for free. Often, doing so will get you sent to a recording studio or radio station to record a spot or two ... which also expands your list of contacts. This is a step-by-step formula for a good start. Don't quit the day-job, though: unless you're in a major market, voice-over work is strictly "butter and egg money," as grandma used to say. Once you have a portfolio and a budding client list, consider a placement at guru.com. Good luck!
  • Your other questions: 1) Is it a difficult gig to get into part-time? There's a lot of v.o. work out there. Difficulty in getting into doing the work varies, based on your market and your own grit and determination. 2) Are there specific hours you need to be available? In my experience, no ... but clients have frequently booked me because I'm able to be very flexible and turn v.o. material around very quickly. 3) Is the money worth the work? If you're not careful, booking studio time (for recording) will eat all your profits. A home studio setup (excellent mic, good software, a quiet amp, and sound insulation) can pay off in the long run. That said: be aware many internet v.o. services are now offering same-day delivery of v.o. products for a rate of five dollars per finished minute of v.o. If you're a one-take wonder with his own studio, producing that one-minute reading may take you five minutes. If you're a beginner renting studio time ... well, you can see that the numbers work against you. ;) Hope that helps!
  • There's a lot of v.o. work out there. Difficulty in getting into doing the work varies, based on your market and your own grit and determination. In the DC area V.O. work is very hard to come by. There is a lot of work here but the market is sewn up by the few who do it on a regular basis. The other downer is that there is a lot of competition out there. I work frequently with trained actors, many of whom that are trying to break into the V.O. field. They report great difficulty. These are people with much acting experience, motivation, contacts and great voices. That they find it difficult could be an indication of the problems you may face too. I'm not trying to be a wet blanket- just trying to give you a realistic picture of what you may be up against. But follow your dream- it's mostly always the determined that ultimately succeed. Again, this is the scene in Washington DC- YMMV. Good luck!
  • Oh, just call Don Pardo and ask. He was the elevator voice on concourse A and B for years at Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport.
  • God, it's hard enough dealing with MCT since his blog became known in the greater LR area. I can't imagine the ego inflation if he was actually on the radio hawking Butterball Frozen Dinners, half-price at Kroger.