Many Magazine of Santa Clarita readers have been asking about voice-acting classes. I recently received two inquiries that were similar, so I’m going to answer them together.
My name is Yolanda and I’d love to do voice-overs. I’ve read that this is a tough business to get into, but if you have any words of wisdom, they’re welcome. I’ve been told I have a great speaking voice but I know that more than this is needed. Any help you can offer? I’m listening –Yolanda L., Simi Valley, CA
I would love some advice on how to jump into this industry on a part-time/freelance basis. I really love public speaking and know that I have a great voice. I was an on-air personality while in college and I’m extremely interested in doing commercial voiceovers. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. – Natrina C., Saugus, CA
Yolanda, Natrina, you couldn’t have picked a better time to try your hand at voice acting. Notice, though, that I said voice acting, not voice over. One of the key components of success in this business is the ability to act. Now that doesn’t mean you can’t make a decent living doing non-acting voice work, like some announcement, legal tags, some corporate copy and the like; it just means that if you can’t act your opportunities are much more limited.
But before you consider getting into voice acting, however, there are some physical and mental factors to consider:
• You’ll be reading out loud, so good eyesight is imperative.
• You’ll be taking direction, so good hearing is critical.
• Since you need good breath control, asthma, emphysema or a collapsed lung could be a big problem.
• You also need excellent articulation, so any form of a lisp, stutter or stammer, as well as a pierced tongue or lip ring could make things difficult.
• Claustrophobia would be another problem, as virtually all voice acting is done in an enclosed, soundproof booth.
• The most critical problem confronting any would-be voice actor is any form of dyslexia. If you’re constantly tumbling over words as you read out loud, voice acting is definitely not for you.
You both state that you have great voices, but you have to understand that having a great voice is meaningless unless you’re either a great actor, or you can lift the words off the page effortlessly. Remember, James Earl Jones has a beautiful voice, he actually has a stuttering problem that he overcame, but he wouldn’t be nearly as successful if he weren’t a great actor.
Marc Cashman creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, he also instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, CA.
For more information, he can be contacted at cashcomm@earthlink.net or his website, www.cashmancommercials.com .