How Do I Become a Voice over Artist?

To become a voice over artist, you should consider any education you may need, as well as ways in which you can begin building a demo tape of your work. While a formal education is not always required of voice over artists, it can make it easier for you to refine your voice. You should work on creating a strong demo tape, usually on a compact disc (CD), which you can then send out to potential employers to demonstrate your work. While you do not necessarily have to join an agency to become a voice over artist, it can make it easier for you to find work if you do so.

If you want to become a voice over artist, there are a few things you should consider while working toward your career. You should look at how you can refine your voice and come to better use your voice as an artist, both in basic advertising recordings and for character recordings. There are schools and voice coaches for formal instruction, though this is not always necessary. You can also train yourself to become a voice over artist by recording yourself and listening to your recordings; you should spend a great deal of time doing this to refine your abilities.

Once you have the skills you need to become a voice over artist, you can record a demo of your abilities. This should be done in a professional recording studio to ensure the best quality. While this is more expensive than recording a demo yourself, the investment is typically worthwhile, as a higher quality recording shows off your abilities more clearly. Your demo tape should show off your abilities in any type of voice work you are interested in, such as commercial voice over recording or character voices for animation and video games.

You can then begin looking for opportunities to become a voice over artist by sending your demo tape out to potential employers. Creative directors or casting agents can often be contacted for requirements of demo submissions. You can also look for an agent to represent you as you look for your first jobs, which can reduce the amount of time you have to spend looking for work. Depending on the employment laws and regulations in your area, you might also consider joining a union for voice over artists, as many businesses have only a limited number of opportunities for non-union artists.