can be proud of!
Having the right voiceover demo is the most important marketing tool for a voice actor. It’s how we show our range, skill-set and talent so that we can get agents and book work.
They are an important investment and that’s why we are passionate about ensuring you get the best demos possible.
When looking for a demo producer getting the right one is very important. Many people making demos don’t understand what casting directors, agents and producers want to hear, and voice actors are spending their hard-earned cash on a demo which doesn’t do them justice...which is why we have put together an amazing team of sound engineers, script writers and directors, to make sure you get the best sounding demo that shows off your skills as a voice actor.
Having the right voiceover demo is the most important marketing tool for a voice actor. This is how we show our range, skill set and talent.
We are living in a changing world right now so coming together, supporting each other and sharing information is incredibly important. I believe in bringing people together and this edition of The Buzz Magazine has a couple of strong themes running through it. The main theme we’ve gone for with this edition is DANCE. I love dancing and connecting to music. Dancing requires us to listen, improvise and be creative which are all skills that relate to voiceovers.
There is a wonderful theme of connection and sharing in this edition too. Voiceover talent agent Natalie Edwards starts us off on that route with her interview on pages 6 and 7. Ben McAuley keeps it going on pages 18 and 19 by sharing why he believes attending vo in person events is so important.
The VoiceOver Network is a truly global organisation and I’m incredibly proud of this. In May this year we took our popular in person VOND (VoiceOver Network Drinks) event to New York City for the first time and what a night it was! The panel of industry experts shared some incredibly useful information and I know that everyone who came got a huge amount of inspiration and some great connections too.
Then the wonderful Jasmin Yates who has been part of my Rachael Naylor Voiceover Accelerator program opens up and shares her story and challenges of juggling her career and mental health issues on pages 12 and 13.
The hot topic of discussion in the industry and the world right now is of course AI. Here at VON we are making sure we bring you all the most up to date information and advice so you can safely navigate the changes happening right now. Liam Budd from Equity shares his advice and take on what’s happing right now on page 24. Followed by more AI information and advice on pages 25-27.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read this edition, number 31 of The Buzz Magazine. Now it’s time to grab a cuppa, put your phone on silent and enjoy the inspiring stories and informative articles on the next few pages.
We are living in a changing world right now so coming together, supporting each other and sharing information is incredibly important
Dancing requires us to listen, improvise and be creative which are all skills that relate to voiceovers.
RACHAEL NAYLOR
CEOof Elements Demos, Editor of The Buzz Magazine and Voice Actor
Natalie Edwards, Head of Voiceover and Presenters Division at Excellent Talent joined Rachael Naylor on The VoiceOver Hour LIVE webinar in May to discuss what she looks for as a Voiceover agent.
Natalie is described as being “the perfect human sponge of knowledge, and with the natural performer just waiting for every opportunity to reveal herself, Natalie has been invited to Voiceover events across the UK (and virtually) to deliver pearls of Agent-y wisdom for budding Voiceover artists and those who wish to improve their business.”
When I first started, one of my tasks was to listen to everyone's reels on the books. It was amazing to listen to how many talented people I was about to start representing. And then listening to new people we've taken on and seeing them thrive with the agency…It's been really inspiring. What would you say is unique about Excellent Talent?
and audiobooks. It's nice we get to have such a variety of jobs. We've got a really personable approach to the way that we work with talent.
It's amazing to listen to how many talented people I was about to start representing. And then listening to new people we've taken on and seeing them thrive with the agency… It's been really inspiring.
There are bigger jobs like commercials and video games and all of the mainstream stuff. We do that as well as corporate jobs, e-learning,
We do work with the US and Europe, but not as much as UK. We've seen such a shift in home studios, the only areas that are more in studio are gaming and animation because there's a lot more direction in terms of acting and some movement involved. Sometimes they need the space to be in that particular studio. If they find someone great they want to work with who is international, then they'll do it.
We've got a really personable approach to the way that we work with talent.
It depends on what we're missing, basically. We used to say, experience is very important and I think that's a very closed word. Experience also comes from knowing the industry well. It's important to us that you can go into a studio and we can trust you to perform and do a great job. Can you do the same thing in a studio in a live session? Get to know the agency you're applying for, do that research first. Go onto the website. Have a quick read-through of everything and if it's the right fit, send us an email.
Always attach your voice demos, voice reels. Sell yourself, but be friendly. If you don’t hear from us, then your application has been unsuccessful. We can't reply to everybody. But we do review our inbox every two weeks. You're welcome to reapply with some new material or any updates that you have.
We don't mind what you send, as long as it sounds professional. Are you right for that advert you are voicing? Does your accent suit that character? Pay attention to the order of clips in your reel. Choose the best standout clip for the beginning of your reel. Those first few seconds are really important and also good to have a variety in there. We don't want it all to be one note. We want to hear you're versatile. Another thing is reading a script is different to being engaged with a script.
I think a lot of the narration-style voiceover is going to be affected, stuff that's easily going to be done by a computer. Basically, IVR e-learning audiobooks. My predictions are those areas are going to get affected. Things like video games, animation, commercials, that require a human, real emotion, I don't think they'll use AI to create it. But there is a risk that Voices will be stolen from the product. We are trying to figure out how we can protect our voices. We have been talking to a legal team about creating a clause for our contract. I think the moral of the story is research. Invest in some kind of legal advice.
Now is the important time to level up and make sure you get agents, representation, sort out your contracts, make sure your home studio is the best
it can be, and get those clients. There are definitely clients out there that are not going to go for a machine.
I think people who have a real passion for the industry are going to stick to what they already do and appreciate that we are people and they like having a human at the end of the microphone.
Very. If there are specific areas you want to do, focus on training in those, because that's how you're going to get better. It’s the only way that you can guarantee you're going to build your skills and confidence.
Be patient. Even though it's such a fast-paced industry, I think be patient with yourself, others, your training. Just allow yourself to learn and grow in your voiceover journey.
To watch the interview in full head to the Members area of The VoiceOver Network website and Search for Natalie Edwards. Focus
There are definitely clients out there that are not going to go for a machine.
And a 5,6,7,8….
I was 6 the first time I saw a dance recital. Watching from the lower-level seats, the stage looked like a shiny gold ray of sunbeams.
I was hooked from that moment on and it was one of the biggest turning points of my early life.
It’s funny when you think back on how a certain place and moment can direct your life unbeknownst to you at the time.
Dance was my first love, my first true calling. I gave it my all - my life revolved around it. Thousands of hours at the studio, hundreds of competitions, too many to count, dance trips throughout America… It was a life-time ago yet I can still remember all the chills, nerves, excitement and joy.
Every year we had something to look forward to. Dreams, Goals, Plans. So at the time, you don’t think about your life like that…it’s just your life planned out and you just do it.
I studied everything: Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern / Contemporary and Musical Theatre. I performed them all and loved every second of it. I even spent my summers in Los Angeles studying with the industry’s best choreographers and dancers. Absolute dream come true!
No surprise, musical theatre was the style that resonated and shined through. Most of my competition dances were choreographed to Barbara and Liza… that’s Streisand and Minnelli In case you didn’t know.
As this edition is about Dance, I’ve spent some time reminiscing and I wanted to write this article as I whole-heartedly believe without
Dance early in my life, the goal-driven, determined, focused woman I’ve become might not have started on that path and I’m so incredibly thankful for the direction early on in my life.
You see, those days set me up to understand the importance of organisation, priorities, dedication, hardwork, determination, production, team-work and the thrill of making others smile, enjoy life, and helping others.
a ride it has been. I’ve met so many wonderful kind folks and I’m happy to say I built some loving friendships along the way. I truly believe this is the most amazing community in the industry.
Rachael and I have been through so many memorable experiences during this time and every day there’s something new to explore. To say the least, it’s an exciting roller-coaster ride that just keeps on going. If I could write a book. LOL Rachael is a whirlwind of energy that I’ve learnt over the years how to roll with. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her and I’m thankful for the ride.
As I continue to grow my own voiceover career, it’s been so rewarding to train and coach with the incredible teachers that The VoiceOver Network is fortunate enough to bring onboard.
I’ve had several professional careers since including 19 years strong as a TV/Media writer, producer for international networks - PBS, NBC Digital and Discovery Channel - winning national awards and recognition. I travelled most of America for nearly 8 years interviewing physicians, scientists, researchers, and everyday people, listening and telling their stories.
Plus as most of you know, I’ve been with The VoiceOver Network for nearly 8 years now wearing many hats. What
A Producer’s Hat can mean many things to different people. For me, I’ve always had the attitude ‘make it work’, ‘never let them see you sweat’ and ‘keep smiling’. Throughout my life so far that’s exactly what I do. Behind the scenes of a welloiled machine, production, or show will be a producer making things happen. If you don’t notice them, even better.
I dedicate this article to my guardian angels: Mom, Dad and Judy, my dance teacher. Every ‘Shuffle-step’ I take wherever I go lifts my soul.
Dance was my first love, my first true calling
I whole-heartedly believe without Dance early in my life, the goal-driven, determined, focused woman I’ve become might not have started on that path.
Sound better than ever. Get studio quality sound with the interfaces that make more records than any other.
Voice acting and salsa dancing are two passions that set my heart on fire!
In this latest issue of The Buzz Magazine we explore the theme of dance and there is a pretty good reason for this!
At first glance, voice acting and salsa dancing may seem worlds apart, but beneath the surface, they share an extraordinary harmony. These captivating art forms are fueled by skill, passion, rhythm, and an innate ability to connect with the audience.
Prepare to be swept off your feet as we delve into the captivating combination of voice acting and dancing, where passion and laughter twirl hand in hand!
Both voice actors and salsa dancers are masters of expressing emotions through their chosen mediums. Voice actors breathe life into characters solely with their voices, while salsa dancers captivate their audience with their precise movements and expressive gestures. These art forms demand the incredible power to convey a vast range of emotions with authenticity and unwavering conviction, from joy to sadness, from fear to love. There is so much human skill and connection to be found in an exceptional voiceover or dance routine. The true artists in each field are so, because of the depth of their experience and connection to the piece that they are expressing.
In both voice acting and salsa dancing, a flawless sense of rhythm and impeccable timing reign supreme. Just as a salsa dancer gracefully synchronises their steps with the music, voice actors must skillfully match their delivery and cadence with the pace and tone of the dialogue. These performers rely on their acute sense of timing to create a seamless and captivating experience that leaves their audience breathless.
Salsa dancing is a partnership that thrives on deep connection and harmonious collaboration. Partnerships are key in both salsa dancing and voice acting. Salsa dancers must establish a deep connection and work together seamlessly to create stunning routines. Voice actors often collaborate with other actors, directors, and sound engineers to bring animated characters or video game personas to life. It's like a spicy dance-off between
The key to improvisation is confidence and a certain level of preparation.
The ability to improvise is something that so many dancers and actors miss.
voice actors and salsa dancers, each relying on teamwork, coordination, and the occasional salsa dip to shine on the stage! Trust, coordination, and the ability to adapt to the cues and energies of their fellow performers are essential ingredients for creating a mesmerising final product in both realms.
The ability to improvise is something that so many dancers and actors miss. If a performer is too intent on delivering word-perfect lines or a perfectly choreographed dance step they might miss some human nuance that can elevate a performance beyond a director's expectation. Accomplished dancers effortlessly adapt their movements to match their partner's energy, the music's rhythm, and the mood of the audience. Similarly, voice actors face unexpected script changes or the need for on-the-spot character improvisation. The shared ability to think on their feet and adapt to new circumstances can set both dancers and voice actors apart.
The key to improvisation is confidence and a certain level of preparation. Overpreparedness can be as stifling as being underprepared can leave you looking like a fool so where is the right balance? I believe that is when you need to take a step back from the activity and rather focus on the bigger picture - the why and the who. With a strong sense of character and a connection with the bigger picture - any performance whether in dance or voice acting can be enhanced and taken to the next level.
Becoming an extraordinary voice actor or salsa dancer requires years of dedication and rigorous training. Mastery of these art forms demands a deep understanding of their respective disciplines, relentless practice, and an unwavering commitment to improvement. Whether it's honing vocal techniques or perfecting dance moves, the pursuit of excellence is the common thread that binds voice actors and salsa dancers together. A good sense of humour is also pretty key. After all, perfecting vocal techniques or nailing those dance moves takes time and plenty of hilarious missteps along the way. Imagine a voice actor stumbling over their words or a salsa dancer tripping over their own feet— the blooper reels can be as entertaining as the performance!
Although voice acting and salsa dancing may appear to exist in different realms, their shared traits and underlying principles make them strikingly similar. Both disciplines require expressive performances, a keen sense of rhythm, collaboration, adaptability, and unwavering dedication. As voice actors and salsa dancers continue to captivate audiences worldwide, let
us celebrate the parallels between these two art forms and the incredible talents who breathe life into them.
So, let's raise our voices and dance to the mesmerising synergy between voice acting and salsa dancing, honouring the artistry, passion, and exceptional skills that unite these worlds in their quest to create unforgettable human experiences.
Similarly, voice actors face unexpected script changes or the need for on-the-spot character improvisation.
Accomplished dancers effortlessly adapt their movements to match their partner’s energy, the music’s rhythm, and the mood of the audience.
Becoming an extraordinary voice actor or salsa dancer requires years of dedication and rigorous training.
By Jasmin Yates Voice Actor
Over the last three years, I have trained tirelessly to develop my skills as a working voice actor. I have taken workshops, courses, programmes… I have stayed up until ungodly hours of the morning to learn from wonderful teachers in the USA (if I ever find out who made these time zone things, they’re in big trouble). I have flown to LA, not once but twice, for GET YOUR GAME ON . All of this is to say, I’ve put the effort in.
The only thing in my acting toolbox I didn’t work on… well, that would be me. Like many women in the UK, I grew up with a serious dearth of self-confidence.
Research shows that a horrifying 80% of young women in the UK suffer from low self-esteem, a figure that is rising year on year. Our young women were already going through a pandemic- and it’s only getting worse with the rise of short-form social media, Photoshop and FaceTune. Even the celebrities don’t look like the celebrities! (Why are we tuning our faces? Are we pianos? Can you play Mozart’s 5th Symphony on us?!)
I also belong to the wonderful club that is the one in four young adults who suffer from mental health issues. To be more specific: depression, obsessivecompulsive disorder, and a side of posttraumatic stress disorder. (It’s like the worst restaurant menu ever.) So, take the societal pressure to achieve an impossible standard of perfect, add in a gross failure to tackle young people’s mental health issues, and top with your own personal flavour of chaos- and you have the environment I emerged coughing and spluttering from.
And I’m sure I don’t need to tell anyone reading this that when an actor feels anxious, or depressed, or hopeless, the listener can hear that.
Now, I can’t bring about fundamental change in the mental health services of the NHS. I can’t go back in time and wipe out the bullying and the trauma that shaped me as a person. But I can take the sense of humour that I developed
Over the last three years, I have trained tirelessly to develop my skills as a working voice actor.
Research shows that a horrifying 80% of young women in the UK suffer from low selfesteem, a figure that is rising year on year.
as a coping mechanism, and the career that I found and fell in love with, and I can do something with those experiences that I thought was impossible: I can use them.
Nobody has lived my life but me. Nobody but me has my memories, my emotions, my own perspective on the world. I am the unique product that I present to a casting director on a platter. It’s me, hi, I’m not the problem, it’s me.
I have stopped saying sorry for taking up space. It’s my space now! I have stopped being the last to stand up, the last to speak up, worrying about what people will think of me, how they will judge my performance, whether they think I’m ugly or stupid or boring. I stopped thinking of my voice as too young, too high, too wrong, too me. I started using it as the tool I have worked lovingly on. I used it to play. To bring me to the table and stand on the chair too!
These things will not magically cure my depression, or OCD, or PTSD. Only therapy will teach you the coping mechanisms you need for those particular delights. They sap your energy and your enthusiasm, they hold you back from getting out of your own head, getting out of your own way. But in conjunction with the professionals, developing a healthy love for yourself is a weapon in the fight against themand an incredibly powerful one.
Again, I’m British; self-deprecation is practically a national sport. It’s about
the only sport I’m any good at. Wait! Re-think that. That’s a pattern of thinking that you used to rely on. Stop being mean to yourself. Take two. Action!
Again, I’m British; self-deprecation is practically a national sport. And a sport I’m very good at. But I chose to ditch this one, because the subconscious cannot differentiate between sarcasm and irony and truth, and that means that if I tell myself enough times that I’m bad at sports, and my voice is too high, and my performance wasn’t good enough- what’s the difference between me and the bullies? My subconscious can’t tell. I’m just bullying myself at this point.
The moment I started changing the way I spoke to myself, I started booking. But more than that: for the first time in years, I was having fun, I liked myself.
I’m not going to pretend like this has been an easy journey, or sugarcoat the difficulty of living day-to-day with three mental illnesses that love to compete to make my life as difficult as possible. Nothing I’ve said here is a “cure” or a “remedy” that can replace professional help. It’s another tool in my toolbox. And I hope it can help someone else, who can start to change the way they talk to themselves, and in turn, start to realise that they, too, are an amazing and unique set of brilliant things.
And thank you to everyone who so lovingly kicked me up the butt to start this process. My rear end and I appreciate you.
I have stopped being the last to stand up, the last to speak up, worrying about what people will think of me, how they will judge my performance.
I have stopped saying sorry for taking up space. It’s my space now!
By Deb Munro Voice Actor
We are in a cycle of change in society and that’s a beautiful thing and in some directions a very scary reality. Something we shouldn’t argue is that EVERY LIFE MATTERS!
We watched as the world embraced change and continues to fight for equality, which is something worth celebrating! However, we’re also witnessing a change to our own industry and while this is necessary, we should proceed with caution.
voice. This allows us to dive deeper into the world of make believe for things like animation, games and the like.
One thing that makes the Voice Acting industry unique is that we do not see the performer, so the visualization (where applicable) is manufactured around the
Many times, talent are cast and the decision makers have no idea the real gender, age or nationality of the talent. Of course, there have been times where this can be a factor, for example a specific accent or nationality or gender is requested, or in our case NOT requested – such as a ‘Canadian’. We here in Canada have to focus on speaking in a more neutral American accent so we have more opportunities for work, so accents and dialects have mattered of course….and now we’re seeing some changes.
The world embraced change and continues to fight for equality, which is something worth celebrating!
Due to this growth in diversity, we are seeing more and more requests for English speakers with ethnic accents, where-as in years past, this was not as widely accepted. This is fantastic and the world is embracing this with open arms. We are seeing more and more production done in multiple languages as well, which again is worth celebrating.
However one thing that we should take into consideration is that EVERYTHING we do is based on stereotype, so doing
away with stereotypes would completely diminish the creativity of our industry. How else could we become the voice of a chipmunk? We cannot relate to what it’s like to be a chipmunk at all, so we must draw from physical and audio observations of the animal itself (to the best of our abilities) and use our rolodex of stereotypes and memories to find the best most suitable voice for this character that really doesn’t have a voice to begin with.
So while we should always strive for equality and diversity in everything we do, we should be mindful as to the nature of our industry that allows ALL of us to be anything our imagination desires. After all, we rarely, if ever, voice as the real ‘us’. We are usually voicing someone else’s copy with a character they have manufactured in their minds to best represent their product (the way they see it).
So lets allow a little bit of wiggle room for the world of stereotypes so we can still be our ‘Neighbor’, ‘Mechanic’, ‘Vampire’, ‘Villian’, ‘Best Friend’ and all the other make believe worlds we get to play in each and every single day.
Here is to the world of make believe – where anything goes!
Doing away with stereotypes would completely diminish the creativity of our industry.
We should be mindful as to the nature of our industry that allows ALL of us to be anything our imagination desires.
Sitting in a coffee shop in Turnpike Lane, I ordered a juice AND a coffee, and wondered why I felt so nervous. I was about to meet someone for the first time. It was my first mentoring session with D and, whereas I have before been in the position of ‘mentee’, I was now officially a ‘mentor’ for a 15 year old girl. What did I really have to offer? Would she be disappointed by me?
When she came in, she was obviously nervous too, and we bonded over baked goods and talked about the weather (proper British).
Now that our sessions have come to an end, it makes me smile to think back to that first meeting. We met once a month for a year, for an hour or sometimes more, and always in a coffee shop. I’d signed up to be a mentor via The Girls Network, an amazing charity with a mission to break down barriers, boost girls’ confidence and improve their access to opportunities. They provided a lot of session material, which was a handy way to structure our sessions and make sure D got some core material and insights, on anything from confidence and self-worth to CV guidance. We talked about a range of professions and I was able to give her a flavour of what it’s like in the corporate world, but when I talked about my acting and voiceover work, it was clear that this really piqued her interest. We ended up spending a lot of time talking about how
to get into acting, how to stay safe as a young actor, how the industry works, and even wrote a script together.
A few other mentors contacted me to say that their mentee was also interested in acting and voiceover, so I joined a couple of other sessions to answer some questions and talk to them too.
It seemed like there was quite a bit of interest, and perhaps a good opportunity to open up Voiceover to a wider, diverse group who might not otherwise consider that they could do this. So I asked The Girls Network about running a webinar. Roll on to April this year, and with a lot of organisation from Leisa… we were very honoured to have Rachael from The VoiceOver Network deliver a fantastic presentation to a group of young women, with a brilliant turnout and feedback! Thank you Rachael and Leisa! It was so great to hear the level of engagement and for the wonderful world of Voiceover to be opened up to the next generation (which makes me feel a bit old, but also happy).
If anyone else would like to find out more about being a mentor, I can highly recommend it! And one hour a month is very doable. https://www. thegirlsnetwork.org.uk/become-a-mentor
The Girls Network meets The Voiceover Network. A match made in heaven!
Thank you Rachael and Leisa! It was so great to hear the level of engagement and for the wonderful world of Voiceover to be opened up to the next generation (which makes me feel a bit old, but also happy).
...but when I talked about my acting and voiceover work, it was clear that this really piqued her interest.
Source Elements was born in 2005 with the mission of connecting timebased creative-media professionals from different parts of the world and we have come far in our journey to support different people, from different places, with different religions, genders, races and economic opportunities.
As a global company with presence in more than 100 countries, we know that if you want to connect professionals in the world, you have to know who everyone is, what their needs are, and who their communities are. We know it’s not possible for one company to speak to everyone directly if you don’t know who your users are. So, to foster Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we empower people to empower others; together we grow stronger and together we make a more diverse industry.
Source Elements D.E.I. mission is to support time-based media creatives from diverse backgrounds to obtain a successful and sustainable career in our industry. No matter where they are born, what their context is or what challenges they may face, Source Elements aims to create the necessary structures to bridge the exclusion and inequality, within our ability to do so. Therefore, Source Elements is committed to providing:
Access to the industry-standard software for remote collaboration
Training in remote workflows and certification in our software
Belonging to a global, diverse and creative community of timebased media professionals.
We understand that individuals from different backgrounds and different frames of reference face their own different challenges and opportunities; further, we believe that in the fields of the arts and technology, social inequality in education and the economy leads to unbalanced representation of how we see ourselves on-screen.
Ultimately our vision with our D.E.I. strategy after so many years of experience is to achieve diversity, equality and inclusion in the media industry through community building, education, equity of access to technology and visibility of underrepresented voices, creatives and professionals.
Source Elements, leading the transformation since 2005
To find more about our Academy, groups, forums and scholarships, please check here:
www.source-elements.com/meetthe-source-elements-academy/
www.source-elements.com/ about-us/diversity/
As voice actors, we know that our craft is all about communication and connection. And what better way to improve those skills than by networking with like-minded individuals and learning from industry professionals? That's where conferences come in and, having recently returned from one of the industry’s biggest, I can confidently say that attending conferences can truly benefit your career.
As you know, voice actors are a peculiar breed of performers. We spend most of our time alone in a padded booth, talking to ourselves and pretending to be other people. So when we get together in a big group it can feel a little overwhelming. In fact, I remember arriving at one of my first conferences, which was The VoiceOver Network's Above and BeVOND in 2017, and I was so nervous, I spilled a cup of tea all over my jacket before I even made it to the
registration table. As I was frantically trying to mop up the mess, a friendly, fellow voice actor appeared with a handful of napkins. It was a small gesture, but it instantly put me at ease. That's one of the things I love about voiceover conferences - the sense of camaraderie and support among attendees. We may be competitors in the industry, but we're also colleagues, and friends.
Conferences bring together people from all corners of the voiceover industry, from beginners to seasoned veterans, from voice actors to casting directors, and agents to business coaches. Meeting other professionals in the industry can lead to collaborations, referrals, and even new job opportunities. I’ve met many colleagues at conferences who have become great friends and collaborators, and with whom I have worked on projects since. You never quite know who you might meet and what doors could open for you.
Attending conferences can truly benefit your career.
Conferences bring together people from all corners of the voiceover industry, from beginners to seasoned veterans, from voice actors to casting directors, and agents to business coaches.
But it's not just about making connections - it's about strengthening existing ones too. If you're a voice actor who's been in the game for a while, chances are you've worked with some of the people who will be attending the conference. This is a chance to catch up with old colleagues and remind them that you're still out there and ready to work.
As VOs, we should always be striving to improve our craft, and through conference panels and workshops, there are plenty of opportunities to learn from experts in the field. Industry professionals who can offer insights and tips on everything from voiceover technique to marketing, to vocal health and business development. Even if you choose not to attend one of the many workshops on offer, panel discussions or keynote speakers can be incredibly inspiring and motivating, and can help you see new possibilities for your own career. Some of the most valuable insights I’ve gained from conferences have come from attending Q&A sessions with industry leaders and hearing about their successes and challenges in the field.
As we spend so much time in the booth, working alone, it can be easy to feel disconnected from the rest of the industry. But attending a conference is a chance to be surrounded by people who understand what we do and who share our passion for voiceover work. It can be a refreshing change
of pace and a reminder that we're part of a larger, incredible community. It can give you a chance to step back and re-energize, to hear new ideas and perspectives that can reignite your passion for the work. Whether it's through attending a keynote speech or simply chatting with other attendees over lunch, conferences can provide the inspiration needed to take your career to the next level.
Attending voiceover conferences has been incredibly beneficial for my own business. The networking opportunities alone have led to new collaborations and job opportunities, and the educational and inspirational content has helped me improve my craft and stay motivated and current in a changing, challenging and competitive industry. Whether you are an experienced voice actor or just starting out, if you’ve never attended a conference before, I highly recommend giving it a try. Sure, you might spill tea on your shirt, but the knowledge, connections, and inspiration gained from these events can be invaluable in building and growing your voiceover business.
And let's not forget the swag! Who doesn't love free stuff?
Meeting other professionals in the industry can lead to collaborations, referrals, and even new job opportunities."
Attending a conference is a chance to be surrounded by people who understand what we do and who share our passion for voiceover work
Through conference panels and workshops, there are plenty of opportunities to learn from experts in the field.PHOTO TAKEN AT VOND LONDON JAN 2023
On May 25, 2023, New York City The VoiceOver Network hosted an extraordinary event for voice actors, agents, producers, and casting directors - VOND NYC. This networking extravaganza provided a fantastic opportunity to catch up with old friends in the industry while also connecting with new faces.
Founder and CEO of The VoiceOver Network, Rachael Naylor, spearheaded this incredible event. With her vast experience and passion for the profession, Naylor has been instrumental in bringing together voiceover enthusiasts from around the world.
Among the esteemed guest speakers at VOND NYC were Tanya Buchanan, the owner and senior agent of Ta-Da! Voiceworks Inc. Buchanan’s expertise in the field made her presence invaluable to attendees seeking guidance on navigating their careers.
Julie Wilson, an industry leader in audio storytelling and an award-winning Senior Executive Producer for Ahab Talent with over 15 years of experience, shared her wisdom at the event. Wilson’s contribution to the panel discussion added valuable insights into the art of voiceover work.
Jim Kennelly’s producer, casting director and owner of Lotus Productions shared extensive knowledge in finding the perfect voice for various media platforms made him a sought-after speaker at VOND NYC. He also shared some fascinating insights into AI from his perspective.
Another prominent speaker was Phil Sutfin, co-founder of ACM Talent. Prior to his role as co-founder, Sutfin had already established himself as an influential figure in the industry.
The night at VOND NYC was filled with excitement and inspiration. Attendees participated in a captivating panel discussion led by these esteemed speakers. Their insights motivated attendees to tackle auditions head-on and empowered them with the confidence needed to approach agents and secure more voiceover work.
In this concrete jungle where dreams are made of, VOND NYC proved to be more than just a networking event. It was an opportunity for dreamers to make their dreams come true within the voiceover industry.
Tanya Buchanan
Ali Cheff
Rachael Naylor, Phil Sutfin
Roy Yokelson, Rachael Naylor
Rachael Naylor, Samantha Peller
Rachael Naylor, Christian Sparks (CESD), Cary Hite
Ian Russell, Rachael Naylor
Joan Baker, Rachael Naylor
Rachael Naylor, Rudy Gaskin, Joan Baker, Ian Russell
By Liam Budd
AIis advancing at a rapid pace and having an increasing role in different sectors across the performing arts and entertainment industries. This includes the voiceover industry, but also extends to TV, modelling, music, dance, and gaming. As the UK trade union for voiceover actors, Equity is particularly focused on “performance cloning”. This is the process of creating a synthetic performance with digital technologies, machine learning systems or other equivalent means. This includes text-to-voice or imageto-voice translation or generation.
There is understandably a lot of fear amongst the voiceover community. However, we firmly believe that human creative expression cannot be replaced by AI and will continue to play an essential role in our lives.
If AI is applied ethically in collaboration with trade unions and the workforce, it also has the potential to positively impact the industry as well as the wider economy and society.
Whilst the pace of AI may be exciting for AI developers, it has meant our national conversation has been too focused on the benefits that this technology could bring across many sectors of the economy. The creative industry is not just a sector that can be squeezed into a productive shape. It offers something fundamental to our society, which is a sense of shared human experience.
Careful consideration is needed regarding the real and growing threat of job displacement. Equity conducted a survey which found that 93% of audio artists thought AI technology pose a threat to employment opportunities in
the performing arts sector. Not only is this technology starting to replace employment opportunities, but those choosing to engage are often not being fairly compensated. The one-off payments offered to voiceover actors often do not reflect the fact that their voice may be used forever and on thousands of projects. Whilst Equity currently does not have set rates for AI voice work, if you are a member you can consult with us on what you are being offered and we can give general guidance.
Another extremely worrying development is that voiceover actors here in the UK and around the world are having their voice used without their permission. If you have experienced this and you are a member of Equity, please get in touch so that we can support you. You can also join our campaign to modernise the law so that performers have sufficient protections to control the exploitation of their voice in the world of AI.
With a government that is actively prioritising the interests of technology companies, our role as the trade union for voiceover actors is more vital than ever. A key focus is to empower our members to understand the evolving landscape and know their rights. This is vital so that voiceover actors can protect themselves from being exploited or signing unfair contracts. We have produced guidance to help identify red flags for working with AI. We are also currently working on a template contract that Equity members will be able to use when choosing to engage with performance cloning.
As we move forward with this innovation, there has never been a more important time to join Equity. Only by working together and being part of our collective movement can we Stop AI Stealing the Show.
Industrial Official – Audio and New Media, Equity UKWe firmly believe that human creative expression cannot be replaced by AI and will continue to play an essential role in our lives.
Equity conducted a survey which found that 93% of audio artists thought AI technology pose a threat to employment opportunities in the performing arts sector.
The world of voiceover is a captivating place where human connection and communication take centre stage. But there is an elephant in the room: artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the voiceover industry. In The VoiceOver Hour podcast, seasoned voiceover professional Mike Cooper shares a personal experience that serves as a wake-up call for voice actors everywhere. In this article, we delve into the key takeaways and action points from the podcast, aiming to empower voice actors and shed light on the path forward in the age of AI.
The Unveiling of AI: For years, AI has been lurking in the shadows, with some considering it a taboo topic within the voiceover industry. But the reality is that AI is here, and it's making its presence felt. Mike recounts an unexpected encounter with AI-generated voiceover samples that he had not recorded but were definitely his voice! As he listened closely one of the biggest differences was the lack of distinct nuance. Nuance, Mike says, is what makes each human voice unique and ultimately a human voiceover is more engaging and listenable than an AI alternative, at this point, could ever be. This revelation prompted him, and us to confront the significance of AI and seek ways to protect ourselves and navigate the changing landscape of the industry.
Protecting Yourself: The first step in safeguarding your voiceover career is to examine your existing agreements and contracts. Many voice actors may have unknowingly signed away certain rights,
granting companies permission to reuse their audio for various purposes. It's crucial to scrutinize terms and conditions, particularly those pertaining to copyright ownership and likeness rights. Furthermore, paying attention to updates and changes in contracts can help voice actors stay informed and avoid potential pitfalls.
The Future of Voice Acting: While the advent of AI poses challenges, it's important to acknowledge that human connection and the magic of genuine communication cannot be replicated by machines. As voice actors, we have the power to provide exceptional service, build relationships with clients, and deliver outstanding performances. While lower-paying voiceover work may be susceptible to AI encroachment, many of the industry experts, Mike and Rachael believe that sectors such as audiobooks, video games, and commercials are likely to remain reliant on human talent for the foreseeable future.
Embracing Change and Educating Clients: The rise of AI in voiceover work may initially attract interest due to its affordability. However, the limitations of AI become apparent when it comes to evoking emotions and engaging listeners. Voice actors can set themselves apart by continuously honing their skills and offering a level of artistry that AI cannot replicate. By educating clients about the unique qualities human
voices bring to the table, we can help them understand the potential drawbacks of relying solely on AI-generated content.
The integration of AI into the voiceover industry is an undeniable reality. Rather than fearing its implications, voice actors must seize the opportunity to enhance their craft and educate clients about the irreplaceable value of human connection. While some sectors may witness a shift towards AI utilisation, the need for authentic human voices will persist, particularly in areas that demand emotional engagement and prolonged content consumption. By being vigilant in contractual agreements, staying ahead of industry changes, and striving to be the best in their field, voice actors can confidently embrace the future and carve out a lasting presence in the age of AI.
To listen to Mike Cooper and Rachael Naylor's insightful discussion on the topic, be sure to tune into their podcast episode - The VoiceOver Hour. It's a must-listen for every voiceover professional navigating the evolving landscape of the industry and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.
The first step in safeguarding your voiceover career is to examine your existing agreements and contracts.
Rather than viewing AI as a competitor, voiceover artists can leverage technology to enhance their skills and expand their opportunities. Embrace AI as a tool that can help streamline workflows, improve productivity, and provide innovative avenues for creativity. Stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in voiceover technology to remain at the forefront of the industry.
Consider AI as a collaborator. AI can assist in various aspects of voiceover work, such as automating repetitive tasks, generating background sounds, or even providing alternative voice options. By partnering with AI tools, you can amplify your capabilities, saving time and energy for more intricate and specialized tasks that require a human touch.
In a rapidly evolving world where technology continues to redefine industries, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the voiceover landscape. However, instead of fearing the potential threat, voiceover artists can embrace this new era and ensure a long and successful career. In this article, we will explore strategies to safeguard your voiceover career amidst the adoption of AI, along with valuable resources and tips to distinguish your unique voice.
Being part of professional organizations such as Equity and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) can be instrumental in safeguarding your voiceover career. These organizations provide support, resources, and collective bargaining power to ensure fair compensation and protect the rights of voiceover artists. Membership can offer valuable networking opportunities and access to industry events where you can stay updated on emerging trends and establish connections with likeminded professionals.
By partnering with AI tools, you can amplify your capabilities, saving time and energy for more intricate and specialized tasks that require a human touch.
Consider AI as a collaborator. AI can assist in various aspects of voiceover work, such as automating repetitive tasks, generating background sounds, or even providing alternative voice options.
While AI is becoming increasingly sophisticated, it still lacks the essence and emotional depth that a human voice can provide. Focus on honing your skills and developing your unique style, ensuring that your voice stands out in a sea of AI-generated content. Invest time in voice training, exploring different genres and styles to broaden your range, and work with coaches or mentors who can provide guidance and constructive feedback.
Building strong relationships within the voiceover industry is essential for a successful career. Attend industry events, join online forums and social media groups, and engage with fellow voiceover artists, producers, and casting directors. Collaborate on projects, exchange ideas, and stay connected to the pulse of the industry. By nurturing these connections, you increase your chances of securing exciting opportunities and referrals.
To differentiate yourself from AI-generated voices, consider developing specialized expertise in niche markets or industries. Become an authority in a specific genre, such as animation, video games, documentaries, or commercials. By positioning yourself as an expert in a particular field, you become indispensable to clients seeking authenticity and human touch that AI cannot replicate.
As AI evolves, the risks of unauthorised use of your voice grows. Safeguard your voice by making sure you have solid contracts in place for all the VO work you do. If you are unsure of anything in a contract get a legal advice. Make sure clients know what they can and can't use your recordings for.
In an AI-driven world, protecting your voiceover career requires embracing change, leveraging technology, and showcasing the qualities that make human voices special. By collaborating with AI, cultivating your unique style, staying connected with industry organizations like Equity, SAG-AFTRA and The VoiceOver Network , and developing specialized expertise, you can distinguish yourself from AI-generated voices and enjoy a long and successful career in the vibrant world of voiceover. Embrace the future, adapt to the evolving landscape, and let your voice shine!
www.equity.org.uk/campaigns/
The VoiceOver Network has a dedicated Operation Protect area for members that provides access to resources and support for actors wanting to find out more about AI.
Invest time in voice training, exploring different genres and styles to broaden your range, and work with coaches or mentors who can provide guidance and constructive feedback.
STEPPING UP THE GAME: EMBRACING ANIMATION, VIDEO GAMES, AND COMMERCIAL FLAIR IN CORPORATE VOICEOVERS!
If voiceover genres were a family of sisters, then ‘Corporate’ would be the sensible one with the flat, frumpy shoes…or rather, she used to be. Corporate has been dancing to a new tune for a while. She’s been stepping up and taking lessons from her cooler sisters like Animation, Video Games and Commercial, and adding those new routines into corporate scripts!
Corporate has been dancing to a new tune for a while. She’s been stepping up and taking lessons from her cooler sisters like Animation, Video Games and Commercial, and adding those new routines into corporate scripts!
We know that corporate voiceover is used by companies to share a company message, impart company information or promote new products and services. Their target audience will be their existing client base, potential new consumers, shareholders or employees.
online and on social media, internal videos for employees, e-Learning and much more.
That’s a lot of voiceovers! Which means lots of potential work – hooray! It may be that many of us record corporate voiceover as a mainstay of our careers. It often gets labelled as the ‘bread and butter’ of the VO world, presumably because the tasty ‘filling’ is that elusive animation series, dramatic video games character or fun commercial.
There are now dialogues and scenes between multiple characters to help the audience understand the product better.
Now, it has to be said that I enjoy a bite of that tasty filling as much as the next VO, but I also happen to love the bread and butter and here’s why.
Nearly every company in every industry sector (and the sub-categories within those sectors) needs to promote themselves and their products and they’re likely to use some form of voiceover to help with that. They may use video explainers, mission videos on their websites, short films for events and presentations, audio marketing via telephone systems, campaigns
Corporate VO is not the staid, stuffy, straitlaced read from years gone by. It’s now more friendly, relaxed and connected. It has introduced natural, conversational reads, more aligned to those we hear in commercials for instance. It’s taken on board elements from animation and video games, introducing animated characters to impart a company’s
message in fun and creative ways. There are now dialogues and scenes between multiple characters to help the audience understand the product better. VR is being used successfully in e-learning and even comedy has been allowed in, to connect on a ‘real person’ level and keep the listener entertained.
A corporate script is always about the company and its message. Its whole purpose is to keep its audience engaged so they leave knowing what the company is promoting. As VOs, it’s our job to make sure that happens by using our wide range of skills to create engaging and memorable corporate reads.
A lot of corporate scripts serve up a pressing problem, then the potential catastrophic results of that problem, and finish with a triumphant solution in the form of their new product or service. (Tada!)
We need to know how to be able to find the voice which reflects the company’s brand and image.
We need to understand who the target audience is and tailor our delivery to them.
We need to be good storytellers, understanding the rhythm of the story, the parts that need emphasis, and having the confidence to decide
if and where the story needs drama, humour, excitement, anticipation, fear or hope to ensure the audience recognises the new product as the solution.
We need to know how hard (or not) to ‘sell’; whether the read works best as conversational, authoritative, empathetic, instructional, dramatic, serious, trustworthy… or a blend of them all.
We need to draw upon our acting skills to bring dialogue and characters to life and flex our funny bone to bring just the right amount of humour to a script.
Corporate voiceover is a genre that gives me the opportunity to use lots of different skill sets. It can be challenging and creative as well as serious and straightforward. It can also provide years of repeat VO business as, once a company is confident your voice fits their brand, it benefits them to come back to someone they trust. I love the variety of industries that I get to record for and that on any given day I can be recording projects for a utility company, a luxury spa, a financial institution, a hotel group, a retail group, a global communications company, a life-changing charity, a lifesaving medical treatment, a scientific breakthrough, sports equipment, an art gallery, a global drinks manufacturer or a local start-up…the list is probably endless.
Yep, I can honestly say, I think bread and butter tastes pretty good!
Corporate VO is not the staid, stuffy, straitlaced read from years gone by. It’s now more friendly, relaxed and connected
The TLM 103 has quickly become one of the biggest successes in Neumann’s history. Its pristine, clear sound is a modern update on the classic U87. The TLM 103 is a transformerless cardioid condenser microphone with a gentle presence boost for a stunningly direct sound with breathtaking definition and ultra low noise.
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Large diaphragm capsule derived from the classic U 87 microphone
Balanced sound with enhanced presence
Cardioid pattern
Transformerless circuitry with high SPL capability
Extremely low self-noise: only 7 dB-A
MEASUREMENTS
PRICE (MSRP:): 1,095.00 919.00
A true classic for film, radio and television, the MKH 416 is the first choice for many voice-over artists around the globe.
With very low inherent self-noise, high sensitivity and excellent directivity, this RF condenser microphone will make your recordings stand out. And if you want to use it in the open air: The MKH 416 is a specialist that operates reliably in adverse climatic conditions.
sennheiser.com
MKH 416
By Kristin Aikin Salada
Actor
Idistinctly remember one of my first VO classes in San Francisco, CA encouraging me to use my hands to support my message when talking into the mic. We don’t normally think about our hands when we are having an everyday conversation. Yet, we gesture with our hands all the time when we converse, even over the telephone. And those hand movements affect our word emphasis and inflection and help convey our emotions.
When my voice-over instructor said, “Voice actors do a form of Sign Language acting” I felt an immediate connection. My older sister was born deaf as a result of the German Measles (or Rubella) that my mom contracted while pregnant. My parents were advised to get my sister hearing aids, years of speech therapy, and have her learn to read lips to survive in the “hearing world.” She didn’t learn sign language until she went to a deaf and blind school in high school. At that point, I learned some sign language too (only as much as she would tolerate her nosey little sister learning!) She would shush my singing all the time as it sounded like an annoying whistle to her, but when we were told to be quiet, she seemed to appreciate that I’d gotten pretty good at reading lips too.
While journeying into the world of sign language, not only did I become more comfortable using my hands to indicate what I was trying to say, but I also became aware of the huge
Voice
As voice actors, we have the resources of BOTH hand gestures and facial expressions to convey our emotions and influence how we sound.
While journeying into the world of sign language, not only did I become more comfortable using my hands to indicate what I was trying to say, but I also became aware of the huge importance of facial expressions in conveying meaning.
importance of facial expressions in conveying meaning. If you’ve watched deaf people sign, you know what I mean. They’re incredibly expressive with their face and body movements. (Check out videos of the USA Superbowl anthem signer – she was amazing!)
As voice actors, we have the resources of BOTH hand gestures and facial expressions to convey our emotions and influence how we sound. And, as hearing people, we have the gift of the ability to hear minute variations in tone, inflection, pitch, emphasis, and accompanying vocal sounds. I love voice acting and the irony isn’t lost on me that I’ve chosen a profession that my sister can’t truly experience.
We hearing people often take for granted how much we learn, feel, and experience passively… we can do other things while listening to the radio, TV, live announcers, audiobooks, tours, etc. Deaf people must actively seek out information – they don’t “overhear” content at home, at work, in public settings. My sister and her husband LOVE action
movies (watched at home with closed captioning) and highly visual forms of entertainment where they can pick up on so much without needing to listen.
We are blessed to be able to share our artistry through the medium of sound. And, yet there is so much more than pure sound that we convey. So, on those hard days when you’re tired and feeling a lack of creativity, I encourage you to try pretending that a deaf person is watching you record your script. How much more can you feel and convey with your hands, face, and body?
Kristin Aikin Salada lives and records in Denver, Colorado. If you visit www. KristinVoiceOvers.com you’ll see that many of her videos are captioned so that her deaf sister and brother-inlaw can experience them as well.
As voice actors, we have the resources of BOTH hand gestures and facial expressions to convey our emotions and influence how we sound.
And, as hearing people, we have the gift of the ability to hear minute variations in tone, inflection, pitch, emphasis, and accompanying vocal sounds.
MV7 PODCAST MICROPHONE
Inspired by the legendary SM7B, the MV7 is a dynamic microphone with both USB and XLR outputs for use with computers and professional interfaces alike.
Connect via USB and explore additional set-up features and Auto Level Mode within our ShurePlus™ MOTIV app, to control your vocal tone, and distance from the microphone. With Auto Level Mode, you can let the microphone do the work for you.
Affordable, flexible and incredibly easy to build without compromising on acoustics
STUDIOBRICKS sound-isolation booths are incredibly fast and easy to build, and can be dismantled and relocated just as easily –giving you the flexibility you need, without compromising on soundisolation. The booths are designed for self-build, but we can offer an optional design and installation service upon request.
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From humble beginnings as a single studio, ID Audio now boasts 10 rooms across three locations and two continents! The company was founded by Patrick McQuaid in 2000. He was joined by Studio Manager Alice Lee in 2011, who now runs the North American branch and is our Group Casting Director. In the period we’ve been operational, we've expanded and built our teams, along with our reputation. We genuinely love what we do and are very proud of what we’ve built.
In both London and Vancouver, we offer full-service studio recording and audio post-production facilities. From games to animation, TV and film to podcasts, we cover a broad spectrum of media. We also have a specialist knowledge in audiobooks, with upwards of 10,000 titles produced, there’s not much left we haven’t encountered. We put a huge emphasis on casting; none of what we do would be possible without brilliant voice actors and we are always looking for new talent. We are focused on offering opportunities to underrepresented communities and being able to offer our clients authentic castings with trusted talent.
The London studio also hosts Audiobook Workshops with award winning narrator Gordon Griffin MBE. Offering a unique chance to get critical feedback and advice from one of the industry's most celebrated narrators and an opportunity to record a professional standard audiobook sample. See our website for upcoming dates!
We work with fantastic narrators every day of the week. The Canada studio was thrilled to welcome Tegan and Sara in May, and we’ve been lucky enough to work with the former Canadian Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould and Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child fame (not on the same project!). It’s a privilege to get to meet and work with so many talented individuals from so many different walks of life.
Stars of the narration world, including Clare Corbett and Adjoa Andoh, cut their teeth at our London studio years ago and we’re very proud to consider them studio regulars (and friends) to this day. We’ve worked with narrators with all levels of experience - from pros in the industry to first time author narrators- and offer the same welcoming environment to everyone, from David Attenborough to David Walliams.
Come find us on social media!
London Studios
Twitter and Instagram: @id_audio
ID Audio has been operating from West London for 20+ years, but these days we are international, with a North American branch in Vancouver, Canada, alongside our original London studios.
Vancouver Studio
Twitter and Instagram: @idaudio_canada
Website: www.idaudio.co.uk
We put a huge emphasis on casting; none of what we do would be possible without brilliant voice actors and we are always looking for new talent.
Chuck Duran is the Owner and Lead Producer/Director at DEMOS THAT ROCK Studios - serving the voice acting community from Los Angeles, Miami, and New York to the UK and abroad.
His explosive voice-over demos have won Voice Arts Awards in the genres of Commercials, Promos, Narration, Animation, and Video Games.
Chuck has a varied and extensive background in the entertainment business, with hundreds of impressive credits to his name.
From producing thousands of commercials for companies such as Nike, Chevrolet, Budweiser, and many others, to having two hit rock albums in the Japanese & European markets, to writing and performing songs in award-winning movies like "My Cousin Vinny" for TV and film companies such as Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and Disney.
Chuck is one of the most capable studio talents in the country, taking immense pride in not only consistently turning out the absolute best product in the business, but having a great time doing it as well.
That's one of the many reasons that Chuck Duran has become THE most sought-after voice-over demo producer.
And after one meeting with him, you'll understand why.
www.demosthatrock.com
DANCE TO THE RHYTHM OF VOCAL HEALTH:
When voice over actors are asked about what they do they often joke that they spend all day in a padded room talking to themselves. In large part that is physically true and a far way from dance where our minds often conjure up vibrant movements and fluid choreography. But the joke doesn't capture the full experience of what a good voice over actor does. These talented individuals possess the power to breathe life into characters, narrate stories, and create an enchanting audio experience that paints the imagination with a vibrant mural of words. But just like a dancer relies on their body, a voice over artist relies on the delicate instrument that is their voice. In this article, we delve into the importance of vocal health for voice over actors and provide five essential tips to keep their voices strong, clear, and captivating.
Vocal health plays a crucial role in the life of a voice over artist. A neglected voice can lead to strain, fatigue, and even potential damage, hindering your ability to deliver compelling performances consistently. Protecting and enhancing your vocal health allows you to maintain vocal stamina, project a clear and resonant tone, and adapt your voice to various roles and genres. Just like a dancer must condition their body, a voice over artist must prioritize vocal well-being to achieve excellence.
As a voice over artist, your voice is your most valuable tool—a precious instrument that requires constant care and attention. Like a skilled dancer, you must understand your voice's capabilities, its limitations, and how to push its boundaries while keeping it healthy. By nurturing your vocal health, you can maintain a remarkable range, excellent articulation, and expressive nuances that truly make your performances shine.
Your voice is your most valuable tool— a precious instrument that requires constant care and attention.
Water, the dancer's nectar, is also vital for vocal health. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to ensure your vocal folds remain lubricated. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption, as they can dehydrate your body and impact your vocal performance.
Just like dancers need rest days to prevent overexertion, voice over actors should schedule vocal rest periods. Limit excessive talking or shouting, especially in noisy environments, and avoid speaking forcefully when your voice feels tired or strained. Give your vocal folds time to recover and rejuvenate.
Just as dancers stretch and warm up their bodies, voice over actors must prepare their voices before any performance. Engage in vocal warmup exercises to loosen your vocal cords, improve blood circulation, and enhance your vocal range. Simple exercises like humming, lip trills, and tongue twisters can work wonders.
Seek the expertise of a speech therapist or vocal coach specializing in voice over work. They can provide personalized advice, exercises, and techniques to help you optimize your vocal performance, overcome specific challenges, and prevent potential vocal problems.
Effective breathing is the backbone of a dancer's movements, and it also plays a vital role in vocal production. Practice diaphragmatic breathing to support your voice, increase airflow, and reduce strain on your vocal folds. Deep breaths allow you to control your voice with precision and maintain vocal power and consistency.
Where emotion and expression intertwine, the voice over artist stands as a powerful force. Understanding the significance of vocal health is crucial if you wish to excel in this art form. By following these five tips—hydration, vocal warm-ups, proper breathing techniques, vocal rest, and seeking professional guidance—you can protect and nurture your voice, ensuring it remains a captivating instrument that dances effortlessly through the airwaves.
So, let us dance to the rhythm of vocal health, cherishing your voice, and embracing the extraordinary possibilities that lie within the art of voice over.
Protecting and enhancing your vocal health allows you to maintain vocal stamina, project a clear and resonant tone, and adapt your voice to various roles and genres
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to ensure your vocal folds remain lubricated.
My name is Ali-like the boxer- Cheff. I love smiles, stories, hugs and smells. I am grateful for experiences each day. Perhaps it is the way of an actor but I will be sobbing or angry or awkward and so so icky from embarrassment and think “Yes, feelings. Gotta hold on to this one.” I have lived many lives and always have ideas to create.
I started acting at 6. We did Shakespeare over a summer, a homeschool group. Then a friend's mom wrote some plays which we performed at their house. Did musicals over the summers that my voice teacher put on and then was given a chance by my Latin and Greek teacher to be the lead in a play. It was the greatest gift, to say: create and play, you are allowed to feel and share the story.
I had a rural life growing up swimming in the river, hiking, riding bikes and horses. Then went to Europe, to Germany to stay with a friend’s family, and attended James Madison University. Kept traveling, went to London with dance professors. Began clowning with Patch Adams in Peru, did that for 14 years in the summers. Had every job around. Had an experimental theatre company. Played Bike Polo internationally. I got into working in front of the camera and crew and casting. Spent 4 years filming the process of the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) campaign in Virginia, USA,. So much learning and amazing stories gathered from the citizens pushing for legislature change. I love all animals. My support
system has been my late cat June, who gave me love and independence, and then a dog Wambam Shazam, who made me get more focused with my work, because he demanded more from me, teaching me being intentional with time, but gave lots of cuddles.
My mom, cassette tapes, and through acting on stage and screen. I used to make cassette tapes and CDs for friends for their road trips. I would read stories and put them down. Then Mom decided she wanted to make a cartoon and hired me to do multiple voices. After that a professor at university who I babysat for, was leaving an e-learning position and suggested I audition and I haven’t stopped since.
Learn your equipment, how it all functions. I knew enough to make sure I recorded at the correct time, 1am -3am, so it was quiet, and had a mic that was good but not too good. (I lived in a yurt when I started so it was just canvas between me and all the farm animals). I had vocal training from years of singing and theatre, so I was able to start with more training than some. I did not understand totally how interfaces worked and I had to stumble through Audacity. So I would have loved to have watched tutorials more. To know about the community of Voice Actors like we have at The VoiceOver Network and Closing Credits, which I have found the greatest communities of support and inspiration with these. Reading the instructions carefully is a big one. Oh, and play- never think the job is more important than playing and performing the story.
Really, I loved doing an educational animation called 1st Cases because at one moment in session, this was in studio, the director realized that the next scene I was all 5 kids so I was talking to my self the whole scene. I also could say recording my friends’ books, being a warrior in space for a video game, a commercial where we did a live direct. There is no favorite because I feel like I get to play, learn and perform all at once with the acting.
Currently I have a more fancy set up, I have a small whisperroom with additional ATS panels and dual monitors, a proper monitor and an ipad (use the sidecar function). I have a Senn 416, a Townsend Labs Sphere l22, Presonus Revelator io24, Gater Boom arm, Hook pop filter and JZ pop filter. Finger puppets, a kidney bean doll, Monitor mounts. Logic Pro, Hindenburg Narrator, Twisted Wave, Reaper, Audacity and Cubase.
You are allowed to play. You have permission to be loud and soft and to create. When you audition you are hired to perform. If they hire you afterwards great, but you have the stage, the mic in that moment and are worthy of being heard.
App Store - Free with in app purchases Video Up! Movie maker & editor on the App Store
Video Up! makes it easy, quick, and fun to create high-quality videos. Use powerful editing tools to customize your videos with visual effects, music, and animations.
Whether you want to make artsy movies, pro-level films, or simply share memories with the people you love, Video Up! is the app for you.
This app allows users to record videos while reading a script by using an adjustable floating widget that can be resized and dragged. It can be used with any camera app in landscape and portrait mode. The app is simple and easy to use, with customizable features such as font size, speed, highlight area, margins, and more. Users can also import text from their storage or Google Drive.
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XeroGo is a free app available for download on the App Store and Google Play. It is designed specifically for sole traders, freelancers, and self-employed individuals. The app helps track business activities and allows users to focus on their passion.
Don’t miss season 4 of The Voiceover Hour podcast which is out now! Each week we talk to top industry professionals and go behind the scenes of the voiceover industry. We talk to voiceover actors, agents, directors, producers and casting directors to hear their inspiring stories and find out what strategies they have used to overcome their struggles and achieve their success.
Our host is Rachael Naylor, founder and director of The Voiceover Network as well as an experienced voiceover artist.
Thanks to our Sponsors: Hindenburg, Source Elements, Focusrite and Apogee.
RACHAEL NAYLOR
Voiceover Artist, Actor, Founder of The VoiceOver Network, Elements
Demos Founder, Writer, Host of The VOH Webinar, Editor of The Buzz magazine and Award-winning Entrepreneur www.rachaelnaylor.com rachael.naylor r achael.naylor
JASMINE YATES
Voice Actor www. jasmineyatesva.com awesomelichjazsaysmorning jasmineyatesva
DEB MUNRO
Voice Actor www.debsvoice.com DebMunroVO debmunro
SALLY DAVEY
Actor, Voice Actor and Director www.sallydavey.com
BEN MCAULEY
Voice Actor www.benmcauley.co.uk voiceactorben voiceactorben
LIAM BUDD
Audio & New Media Union Official at Equity UK www.equityaudio.org/about voiceactorben liambudd
JACQUELINE DUFF
Voice Actor jacquelineduffvoices.com JacqDuffVoices jacquelineduffvoices jacquelineduffvoices
KRISTIN AIKIN SALADA
Voice Actor www.kristinvoiceovers.com
KristinSalada kristin-aikin-salada-386a32
ALI CHEFF
Voice Actor www.alicheff.com alicheff ali_cheff ali-cheff-10877219
LEISA REID FISICARO
Writer, Producer, Director & Member
Relationship Manager for The VoiceOver Network LFisicaro leisareidfisicaro
Jasmine Yates
@jasmineyatesva
Happy World Voice Day! I made a little ramble to celebrate (and if you get to the end of my gabbling, well done you ) Thank you to @NetworkVO for putting on this event! Let's see everyone's successes!! #VONTogetherWVD
McNaughtVO
-Scottish Voice Actor @McNaughtVO
This year has been wild for me in #VoiceActing But it wasn't an easy road to get here.. So here is an article i wrote based on my issues with #PTSD and how that has affected my choice for voice actingBig thanks to the team @NetworkVO @TheBuzzVOMag oh and my amazing wife! #vo
Alanmitchactor @Alanmitchactor
Much positive fun and pointers from Natalie and Rachael #VONWebinar and #voiceovernetwork @NetworkVO Well worth a listen!..xx @ShiresAlan @RachaelNaylor @NatalieEAgent happy Wednesday evening all!! I'm fuelled up now oh and my amazing wife!
Sen Valentine @SenValentineVA
Another great #Vonwebinar with @NetworkVO! Some great Insight into agents!
Nicholas Contreras Voiceover @NContrerasVO
Tuned in to a #vonwebinar this morning with Promo legend @joecip! Thanks for sharing your story on how you got into promo, as well as your perspective. It's always fascinating to hear about everyone's unique journey in VO. Cheers! Thanks @NetworkVO for hosting!
KayeWeaverVO
@kayeweavervo
Watched a @NetworkVO webinar, took a workshop, started auditioning on @CastingCallClub and dove in feet first! That is, after taking 14 years off between being an Audio Engineer and starting VO.
Rita Amparita @RitaRemixed
I’ve mentioned this story 1000 times, but one of my first VO workshop last year (when i had no IDEA what I was doing) was with @NetworkVO and @mummynyan doing a guest spot. i had no clue what i had gotten myself into. A year later.. here we are.
Ali Cheff- (Ah-lee_Shef)
- They/Them @alicheff
Oh wow! Just a shout out to Joe Cipriano & The Voiceover Network! Wow what a generous gift. So many tools, tips and workouts for Promo. If you love Promo and want to have someone who generously provides substantial tools & their promo love. Thx @joecip @NetworkVO #vonworkshop
Diana Wilde @TheDianaWilde
Shannon and Diana do the networking thing downtown. #VONDNYC #ActorsLife #NewYorkNewYork #Voiceover #VoiceActor
#GrannyHasAPodcast
Leonor Lemée @LeonorLemee
Listening to @LiamBudd1 speaking @NetworkVO webinar about @EquityUK resources coming very soon for members. -template contract for performance cloning -new Ai clause/rider to insert in our contracts. -template take-down letter Thanks @EquityAudio for all the work.
