Do I have what it takes to do Voiceovers?
Hi Marc,
I'm liking your input into the voice acting industry, along with the many invaluable 'tricks of the trade' in many other articles with Voices.com. I have been a member of Voices.com for the past year or so, performed a number of auditions from my home-based studio - but to no avail.
Giving your expertise, I was wondering if you could have a listen/look at my webpage and tell me what you think. i.e. do you think I have the potential to pursue a part-time career in voice acting?
As you will see, I am particularly interested in animation.
Thanks very much Marc - Happy holidays!
Blair Wilson
Blair, thank you for your kind words.
With Voices.com, you've signed up with the best auditioning service for home studio-based talent.
Given that, there's a lot of competition out there, including a lot of professional voice actors. If you listen to a number of the top talent (Voices.com has a list of the top 10-100), you'll hear one trait they all have in common: the ability to sound real and believable. I'm not talking about announce copy that's supposed to sound somewhat announcer-y. I'm talking about commercial copy that's written to be performed in a conversational manner.
You have a warm, friendly voiceprint--it's very listenable. But it's not particularly conversational. Virtually all the demos on your site sound like a caricature of an announcer. I'm sure that that's not how you talk to your friends, family or people on the phone. It sounds like when you get behind the mic, you're putting on an announcer hat. Throw out the announcer! (I've got a blog with that title on Voices.com) Be yourself! Relax a bit. Sit on a stool. Be an armchair storyteller (if you have kids, you know what I mean).
Do I think you have the potential to pursue a part-time career in voice acting?
Yes.
But it's going to take some practice to get to the point where you sound like the words you're reading are coming right off the top of your head and out of your mouth as if you just thought of it. Making copy conversational is a skill, but unless you have dyslexia, it's a skill that can be mastered. Feel free to email back with any questions.
Sincerely,
Marc
P.S. Regarding the number of auditions you've submitted: it's a numbers game. And most clients pick the voiceprint--the sound of the voice--first. Talent is a secondary priority. Keep putting it out there.
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.
Cashman Commercials © 2007
Comments
Hi,
I liked the professioinal critique along with the advise. I'm also new to Voices.com and would like some feedback on my demos and voice. When people hear my demos they seem to enjoy them, but I'd like an objective opinion from a coach.
Thank you,
Aaron Hass
Posted by: Aaron Hass | April 30, 2008 4:04 PM