Voice Over 101

You’ve probably heard disembodied voices before: on the TV when you’re watching a movie, on the phone when you call customer service or the automated voice that greets you when you call a business. All of these are examples of voice over, which is a form of audio recording where a person reads text for an audience without being seen.

This type of work can be quite varied and requires a wide range of skills. Voice actors often need to be able to take direction from a director, dialogue editor, or recording engineer and deliver a script well outside their comfort zone. They also must be able to respond quickly to feedback and continue to perfect their performance even after the initial recording session. Other soft skills needed include empathy and professionalism.

Many people want to be voice artists because of the flexibility and freedom it offers. However, the work can be stressful and isolating, especially when working in a sound booth for hours at a time. As a result, it is important for voice actors to balance their booth time with other activities and engage with the community of other voice over professionals through social media groups, conferences, or Meetups.

When hiring a voice actor, consider their tone and voice qualities, as well as their experience and specializations. For example, if you need a voice over for technical content like tutorials or e-learning, look for someone who can pronounce specific industry terms correctly.