What Are Voiceover Artists?
A voiceover artist, also called a voice actor or a voice talent, is an audio professional who reads scripts to record for projects such as commercials, podcasts, and video games. Unlike screen actors, these professionals don’t appear in person during recording sessions, but instead deliver their work via a microphone and speakers to a studio audience. They may also do voice overs for characters in movies and animation, or provide narration for a documentary. The voiceover industry is composed of a mix of semi-professionals, who do occasional gigs for extra income, and successful top professionals, who make their living entirely from voice acting.
Many voiceover artists hone their craft through formal training with an acting coach or voice coach. They’re also expected to be familiar with the different recording methods used in the field, and to have their own home studio equipped for recording. Regardless of their background, all voice actors must be skilled at interpreting and delivering a script to their audience, and they should be able to clearly articulate each word in the text so listeners understand what’s being said.
In addition to a good voice, aspiring and established voice actors must have the ability to adjust quickly to feedback from directors, dialogue editors, or sound engineers and be willing to work outside of their comfort zones to produce high-quality recordings. They’re also expected to maintain professional behavior and meet deadlines. Many voice actors have their own websites and social media channels where they share testimonials of happy clients, showcase their recorded work, and build an online presence that reflects their professionalism. voiceover artists