Anyone know anything about voice actors?

[RayPowers]

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While actually performing many VO jobs might be "easy", getting the gigs is very much not. First of all, most VO actors are just that: actors (or at least they started as "regular" actors, but stopped once they started making a lot of money in VO). To really succeed at a high level at this, you really need to be in LA, NY, or Chicago, and be with one of three or four agents.

The good news is that advances in technology and ease of use have made it possible for successful VO actors to record many things from relatively simple and inexpensive home studios. So, once you became really popular in NY or LA, you could move back from whence you came and probably still work for some regular clients occasionally, although getting new work would be tougher.

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You in L.A. or New York? I know someone that works for an agency that specialized in voice actors, and I'm getting that "small world" feeling. :P

Ray

[James Boston]

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I know someone that works for an agency that specialized in voice actors, and I'm getting that "small world" feeling.

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Based on the times I've looked into it, you are correct.

[JuntMonkey]

Anyone ever see that bit with the famous voiceover actors in a limo who we've all heard but have never seen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLF2eda7TSs

If that doesn't work just search for "voiceover actors".

[Evan]

Sam Roberts

[SomethingClever]

With ISDN these days, I don't think you need to "start" in LA or NY, but your agent should be located in one of those places.

As for how easy/difficult it is, it depends. Some jobs are cake, others require real talent. However, even spots that sound easy can be a lot harder than one might think. Being able to interpret the copy the way the writer intended, and make adjustments on the fly are more important than having the "best voice" around. You do have to be a decent actor.

That said, if you make it in the business, it can be a lot of money for relatively easy and quick work.

[Los Feliz Slim]

Klompy,

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Is there any way to get started and not live in one of the major cities?

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To do this, you'll need a demo CD you can send to agents. It's possible you'll get some responses, but most heavy hitters actually live in NY or LA. The way the industry is going, though, I would say that in 3-5 years it might not matter at all.

Ray,

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You in L.A. or New York? I know someone that works for an agency that specialized in voice actors, and I'm getting that "small world" feeling. :P

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I'm in LA. If you know a voice agent in LA, entirely possible we'd know each other.

[BeeRye]

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With ISDN these days, I don't think you need to "start" in LA or NY, but your agent should be located in one of those places.

As for how easy/difficult it is, it depends. Some jobs are cake, others require real talent. However, even spots that sound easy can be a lot harder than one might think. Being able to interpret the copy the way the writer intended, and make adjustments on the fly are more important than having the "best voice" around. You do have to be a decent actor.

That said, if you make it in the business, it can be a lot of money for relatively easy and quick work.

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My fiancee (to be wife on Saturday) does a lot of voice work. Many years in theatre, then branched off into voice.

She does some local and some remotely. Location is definitely becoming less important, but you still need to be connected to who is booking the work. Even though we're in Canada, she's recently done some US spots for Circle K. She's also done some small Disney children's produced for the Singapore market. You can work "locally" as long as you are connected to work in the bigger markets.

You're right on about interpretion of the copy, but in addition it's important to get to the good takes quickly. Time is money and getting it right early on is an important skill to have.