Voice Acting For Dummies®
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Table of Contents
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
What You’re Not to Read
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Part I: Exploring Voice Acting Basics
Part II: Creating Your Audio Résumé
Part III: Auditioning and Finding Work
Part IV: Setting Up Your Voice Acting Business
Part V: Establishing Your Home Recording Studio
Part VI: The Part of Tens
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I: Exploring Voice Acting Basics
Chapter 1: An Overview of Voice Acting: Just the Basics
Being a Voice Actor: More Than You May Expect
Knowing what it really means
Getting your voice ready
Figuring out your role as voice actor
Digging into the script
Starting your own business
Making a Demo
Uncovering a script
Hitting record
Finding Your Way through Audition Land
Touting yourself
Knowing how to audition
Working in Your Home Studio
Identifying what you need
Recording, editing, and mixing
Getting your product to clients
Chapter 2: Finding Your Voice: How You Fit into Voice Acting
Eyeing the Characteristics of a Voice-Over Voice
Identifying What Goes into Being a Voice Actor
Naming the basic skills you need
Examining some benefits of being a voice actor
Assessing Your Talents to See Whether Voice Acting Is Right for You
Going over the important traits
Looking inward to see whether voice acting fits you
Tuning Into Your Signature Voice
Finding your signature voice
Seeing yourself in your signature voice
Chapter 3: Training Your Voice
Caring for Your Voice
Focusing on the physical aspects
Conserving your voice
Avoiding certain behaviors
Being realistic
Aligning Goals with Your Abilities and Working to Improve Your Skills
Breathing: Focus on your diaphragm
Speaking clearly: Good diction
Twisting your tongue
Narrating: Read books aloud
Doing character work
Going With a Personal Voice Coach
Understanding how a coach can help you
Knowing your options for voice lessons
Picking a coach
Starting off on the right foot with your coach
Getting the Most from Your Training Sessions
Doing your homework
Being open to trying new things
Accepting constructive criticism
Exploring Other Training Options
Attending industry conferences
Participating in workshops or peer groups
Taking classes via phone, Skype, or webinar
Listening to podcasts
Watching YouTube videos
Chapter 4: Understanding Your Role
Saying Hello to the Real Person
Becoming more conversational
Coming across as real
Extending authenticity
Meeting the Narrator
Suspending the audience’s disbelief
Telling a story
Knowing how the story ends
Listening to the Announcer
Identifying the two types of announcers
Grasping the message
Pacing your read
Selling without sounding like a salesperson
Knowing How to Be a Spokesperson
Representing the brand
Feeling comfortable
Endorsing with confidence
Learning from the Instructor
Becoming the expert
Speaking with authority
Communicating objectives
Chapter 5: Interpreting a Script and Finding Your Character
Analyzing a Script: The Five Ws and How
Who you are playing
What you want to communicate
When the story happens
Where the story takes place
Why?
How?
Developing Your Character
Understanding your role: Back to basics
Reading between the lines
Understanding Context
Building a back story
Gaining an appreciation for your character in its relation to other roles
Identifying the takeaway
Considering the plot
Marking Up a Script
Choosing where to breathe
Adding dynamic markings
Playing with Mood: The Tone
Understanding what tone is
Identifying elements that affect tone
Coloring your words
Seeing the connection between your voice’s tone and musical instruments
Selling with Your Voice
Staying soft
Going halfway: The medium sell
Hitting hard
Part II: Creating Your Audio Résumé
Chapter 6: Deciding What Demos Are Essential
Discovering Voice-Over Demos
Knowing why you need one
Serving potential customers at all times
Determining How Many Demos You Need
Releasing yourself from self-imposed limitations
Failing to offer something = lost potential
Setting the Ideal Duration of a Voice-Over Demo
Cooking up a sample demo recipe
Working with short attention spans
Breaking up demos into bite-sized pieces
Inspiring Ideas for Demo Subjects
Commercial
Telephony
Business or corporate narration
Audiobook narration
Character voices or animation
Trailers
Interactive
Other types
Chapter 7: Getting Your Script Ready for Your Demo
Authoring Your Own Script
Gathering ideas
Putting pen to paper
Determining how many spots to write
Using Preexisting Material
Identifying a good piece of material
Considering copyrighted work
Locating public domain material
Avoiding Brand Names in Scripts
Practicing the Different Types of Scripts You May Encounter
Rehearsing by yourself
Rehearsing and researching your script
Keeping characters straight
Chapter 8: Recording Your Demo
Are You Ready to Record?
Asking yourself the right questions
Getting ready before you make a demo
Choosing Your Approach
Taking the DIY path
Working with a professional producer
Using Music in Your Demo: Yes or No?
Including music in your demo
Steering clear of music in your demo
Selecting Music for Your Recording
Considering different styles of music
Finding royalty-free music
Adding sound effects in your demo
Living Up to Your Demos
Evaluating D
emos for Updating
Avoiding dates and times
Being careful about music selections
Recognizing your voice age
Making references to pop culture
Adding new work
Getting permission to use work
Replacing spots
Part III: Auditioning and Finding Work
Chapter 9: Marketing Yourself and Promoting Your Work
Creating an Impressive Web Presence
Building a personal website
Marketing on social networks
Optimizing for search engines
Considering paid advertising
Utilizing a Voice Acting Marketplace Website
Seeing how these sites can help you
Naming some of the available sites
Filling out your profile
Uploading your demos
Considering Visual Branding
Selecting your brand’s name
Adding a photo or image
Designing and creating a logo
Coming up with a tagline
Picking colors
Drumming Up Your Own Business: Network Your Way to Success
Visiting recording studios
Connecting with casting directors
Reaching out to talent agencies
Partnering with other voice actors
Attending local meet-and-greet events
Offering your voice to complementary service providers
Using your demo
Generating local publicity
Sponsoring an event
Joining Professional Associations
Following Up with Your Past and Prospective Clients
Calling on prospects
Asking for referrals and testimonials
Gaining public acknowledgement in other ways
Chapter 10: Uncovering Voice Acting Jobs
Finding and Reviewing Job Postings
Knowing what to look for in a job posting
Spotting vital project information before an audition
Researching and Evaluating Job Opportunities before Auditioning
Selecting your auditions
Making sure the project is in line with your personal beliefs and convictions
Investigating unfamiliar brands
Paying attention to the pay
Understanding the script
Chapter 11: Auditioning 101: Just the Basics
Identifying What You Need to Know from the Get-Go
Recognizing the Differences between In-Person and Online Auditions
Downloading the Script
Doing Your Research: The Script and the Client
Rehearsing the Script
Phrasing
Timing
Characterization
Achieving Success during Your Audition
Slating Your Name
Giving a good first impression with a slate
Identifying the main benefit to slating
Knowing the different ways to slate
Getting a Callback
Thinking beyond the Audition
Modeling What Other People Who Book Regularly Do in Your Auditions
Reflecting on Why You May Not Win an Audition
The right equipment
Desire
Ego
Chapter 12: Auditioning in the Virtual World
Following the Steps for Auditioning Online
Step 1: Creating an online account
Step 2: Locating jobs
Step 3: Reviewing job postings
Step 4: Downloading the script
Step 5: Replying to a job
Step 6: Getting a response
Recording Your Custom Demo
Submitting a Dry Audition
Protecting Your Auditions
Watermarking
Fading in your audio
Naming Your Audition File
Preparing the Proposal to Accompany Your Audition
Researching the client
Looking at the pieces of the proposal
Personalizing the proposal
Becoming relevant to the client
Reassuring the client
Handling parting words
Quoting for the Job
Taking Care with Each Submission
Proofreading your proposal
Uploading the correct audio file
Verifying your quote is accurate
Submitting it and forgetting it
Chapter 13: Auditioning in the Real World
Making a Great First Impression
Dressing for success
The microphone hears all
Choosing quiet clothing
What not to wear
Heeding Some Tips for Professionalism
Mute the mobile phone
Showing up on time
Following the list of don’ts
Interacting with the Recording Equipment
Microphones
Headphones
Music stands
Pop filters
Interacting with the Casting Director
Identifying the casting director’s job
Giving you direction
Asking you to sound like someone else
Maintaining eye contact
Having Fun While Building Relationships
Letting the real you shine through
Engaging the staff
Leaving on a high note
Part IV: Setting Up Your Voice Acting Business
Chapter 14: Working after You’ve Booked a Voice-Over Job
Understanding the Hiring Process
Working in an online voice-over marketplace
Working in an in-studio environment
Is the customer always right?
Check your ego at the door
Communicating with Your Client
Setting the tone
Understanding expectations
Keeping lines of communication open
Reviewing the Full and Final Script
Evaluating the script
Determining how much work there is
Should you charge for audio editing?
Asking any questions you have about the script
Finalizing the Agreement
Viewing the job offer
Accepting the work agreement
Signing a nondisclosure agreement
Planning for Contingencies
What to do if you’re sick
What to do if you’re on vacation
What to do if you’re too busy
Working On Multiple Jobs at Once
Managing your workload
Prioritizing projects
Outsourcing editing
Chapter 15: Getting Paid for Your Work
Making Money Doing Voice Acting
Quoting Your Pricing
Determining your method of quoting
Recognizing billing cycles
Saving time with a rate sheet
Negotiating your quote
Receiving Payment: Cash, Moolah, Dinero
Opening a business bank account
Setting up a PayPal account
Managing Invoices
Handling purchase orders
Issuing an invoice
Grasping payment terms
Collecting on Overdue Invoices
Chapter 16: Nurturing Your Business
Keeping Everything Organized
Managing your clients, day to day
Going with a web-based, dedicated work calendar
Keeping a task list
Organizing your contacts
Tracking your work and being accountable
Marketing your services
Getting an Agent
Knowing what an agent can do for you
Finding an agent
Approaching agents
Going Alone As Your Own Agent
Thinking like an agent
Deciding whether to audition
Makin
g the auditioning process more fun
Building a Winning Team with Professional and Advisory Support
Finding legal representation
Hiring an accountant
Connecting with business advisers
Looking at whether a Union Is Right for You
Getting up to speed on the union
Identifying the unions you can join
Part V: Establishing Your Home Recording Studio
Chapter 17: Creating Your Own In-Home Recording Studio
Constructing Your Home Recording Studio
Selecting a room
Soundproofing your room
Making it comfortable
Considering Start-Up Costs
Stocking Your Studio
Recording with your computer
Recording with an audio interface
Selecting a microphone
Recording and editing software
Grabbing the Last-Minute Accessories
Downloading iTunes for the Mac and PC
Filtering pops with a pop filter
Listening with headphones
Backing up your work with an external hard drive
Chapter 18: Understanding the Recording Process a Little Better
Eyeing the Recording Process: What Exactly Happens
Indentifying the signal flow
Opening a new recording session
Defining Important Studio Terminology
Positioning the Microphone and Script Stand
Finding the sweet spot on a microphone
Using a stand to hold your script
Hooking Up Your Equipment
Your Work Pays Off: Time to Hit Record
Doing your first take
Doing multiple takes
Listening back
Chapter 19: Editing and Mixing: Getting More Advanced
Voice Acting For Dummies Page 1
