Any experienced voice over actor will tell you that it’s
important to find your niche in this profession. There are a number of
different genres and styles of voice over, from radio ads to video game voices
to museum guides, and not every actor is suited to every genre. When you’re
just starting out, it’s vital to figure out just where you fit in and where
exactly your talents lie.
Discover Your
Strengths (and your Weaknesses)
Spend some time practicing a variety of voices to help
determine your strengths. Listen to
voices from different genres, and try to mimic them. You’ll notice that
different genres have entirely different sounds, so use them as a model and try
to recreate that unique sound. Be sure
to record yourself, and as you listen back to it, you’ll begin to see which
styles work best for your sound.
Type Casting isn’t
always a Bad Thing
In the voice over profession, there are thousands of other
voices competing for the same work. Oftentimes, employers or agents will be on
the lookout for a very specific sound. They don’t want to wade through hundreds
of voices to find what they’re looking for, so it can be helpful to type cast
yourself. Having a well-defined sound and style can make it easier for you to
land work.
Market Your Specialty
One you’ve found your voice over specialty, it’s time to
market it. If you already have an agent, he or she can help you do this, but
what if you don’t have an agent? This
actually can be a good thing. When
you’re searching for an agent, already knowing what your niche is can help you
make the right connections. Most reputable agents are very particular about who
they take on, and they are looking for voice over actors to fill genre
vacancies in their rosters. With an
already-defined niche, you’ll save time and effort for them and yourself.
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