Ask The Voice Cat

Want to learn how to make it in the voice-over biz?

As a producer, director, casting director and voice talent for the past 20 years, I get asked a lot of questions about the voiceover business.

Here’s a recent one:

Q: “I’ve been doing voice-overs part-time over the past few years, but I’d like to make it a full-time career. What do I have to have to “make it” in this industry?” —Mark L., Sylmar, CA

A: Mark, thanks for your letter. While there are many variables like acting ability, voiceprint and personal connections, here are five primary things you must have to be successful in this business:

1) COMPETITIVE ABILITIES: In other words, you have to have talent. You must be at least as good as the people already doing the work. Who’s your competition? They’re on the air. Remember: it takes about a year of study to become competent. It takes years to become proficient.

2) PROOF OF ABILITIES: You need a V-O demo to get your foot in the door, get an agent, and to get work. The average demo costs anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 to produce, but making your demo is just the first step. You have to package and promote yourself, too.

3) CONNECTION WITH THE WORK: You need to know when work is available. You can do this yourself through networking by answering audition calls, but for most markets you’ll need an agent.

4) AVAILABILITY: If you can’t make it to auditions, you won’t work. Unless you work for yourself and have ample time to spend on pursuing this potential career, you need to have the flexibility of leaving work occasionally for a couple of hours, and be “on call” 18/7.

5) PASSION: It’s the drive that says, "I want to be a voice actor so bad, I can taste it." This is the force that propels a voice talent toward success. If you have talent and drive, you can attain success in the field of voice-over if you study, practice, listen and learn.

I’ll share more voiceover questions and answers in the coming months.
Thanks again for your questions, and please let me know if I've been helpful with my answers!

Sincerely,

Marc

If you have any questions, please write to me and I’ll get back to you on the blog with my answers.

MARC CASHMAN creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, he also instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, CA.