Santa Clarita Magazine readers send me questions every day about the voiceover business. Here are a couple of those letters:
Q: I’d like to get into voice-overs. My family and friends tell me I have a unique voice and I can do a bunch of characters. How do I get started? — Jerry B., Newhall
A: Jerry, having a unique voice and a desire to explore the field of voice-acting is a great way to get involved in this profession. You just need to do what everyone does when they want to learn a craft: study! Take classes from professionals in the business. Many people think, “Hey, it’s voiceover. It sounds so easy!” Well, like many areas of show business, voice acting isn’t as easy as it sounds. But you’re lucky you live near Los Angeles, because there are more voice-acting classes here than in any other city in the world. There’s a list of qualified instructors in The Voiceover Resource Guide, which you can find online. My suggestion: audit a class to see if this is a career you might have talent in and you’d like to pursue.
Q: People tell me all the time that I have a great voice and should be on radio and television. What are my chances in being successful in voiceovers? –Jane R., Valencia, CA
A: Jane, having a great voice is just one factor in having a successful voiceover career. Actually, the term “voice-over” is a misnomer. It originally referred to the announcer’s voice in the first radio and television spots, where the voice was placed “over” a music track on a commercial. These days it’s called voice-acting, and you have to be a convincing voice actor in order to really be successful in this business. I suggest you take a good voice-acting course to get a solid foundation in this craft.
I’ll share more voiceover questions and answers in the coming months. If you have any questions, please write to me and I’ll get back to you.
Cashman Commercials © 2008
Marc Cashman creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television, and was a keynote speaker at Voice 2008 in August. 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, as well as One-on-One V-O Coaching.
For more information, e-mail cashcomm@earthlink.net or visit, www.cashmancommercials.com .