Television, radio, film, video games, and audio books are all examples of media or products where voice over work can be found. Some of them only require a distinct, clear voice, while others also necessitate significant acting ability. Voice over jobs include commercials, cartoon character voices, dubbing, promos, narrating, and reading fiction and non-fiction books for audio recordings.
A voice over actor can choose to specialize in fiction or non-fiction audio book recordings. Once they gain some experience in the field, some of these voice over readers may choose to devote their entire career to this one area of voice over work. These “books on tape” could be for people who are blind, elderly, or in hospitals. These audio book voice over jobs typically require readers to have a soothing, yet lively voice with a lot of expression and tone variation.
Narrators often have a distinct, resonant voice, such as James Earl Jones’ deep, dramatic one. TV or film documentaries, as well as commercials, may require narration voice over work. To be convincing in inspiring viewers or listeners to come back for more shows, a voice over artist must use the ideal blend of enthusiasm and likability in television, radio, or film promos. A radio or television promo voice over actor will frequently identify the station first, followed by the time and date of the show being promoted.
Dubbing voice over jobs entail watching a screen image of a human actor, animal, or cartoon and voicing the script lines as closely as possible to the mouth movements. In the voice-over industry, dubbing is considered a bonus skill. This type of voice over work is best suited for actors or artists who can voice a variety of dialects and accents.
Voice actors who provide voices for animated, or cartoon, characters are usually able to play a variety of roles. They can’t just be rehashed voices that have been heard a million times before, but they must be unique and fresh. Voice over work for animated films, television shows, or video games is possible. Animated voice actors must be skilled at using a variety of tones, volumes, and modulations, as well as pitch rises and falls.
Commercials on television and radio are common types of voice over work, though they can be difficult to come by. Commercial casting directors are looking for a voice that sells, not just one that is new or interesting. They prefer experienced actors because commercials require them to create a character, similar to what on-camera actors are required to do in a television show, but for a much shorter period of time.