Friday, October 31, 2008

What Makes A Great Voice Actor?

By Terry J. Daniel

If you're reading this article, it's likely that you have already made the decision to hire a professional voice actor or actress for your marketing project-- congratulations! A voice over professional can add a lot to just about any project. After this decision, however, comes perhaps the most difficult yet essential part of the process: interviewing. Those who have not done extensive work involving voice over may be wondering what exactly it is that sets truly great voice actors and actresses apart from the rest of the pack.

Here are some of the key traits of great voice over talent:

1.The voice over is believable. You need someone who sounds like a real person, not a narrator or announcer. Talented voice over artists should be adept at practicing their 'non-announcer' reading and voices, so ask them to read a variety of pieces to make sure they don't fall into a pattern of reading like a newscaster.

2.The voice over has the right pitch and tone. Voice over artists are constantly practicing different pitches and tones of their voice so that they can create their own 'music.' This ensures that their voice stands apart from the rest; take the time to listen for distinct characteristics that make them different from other actors and actresses.

3.He or she is willing to provide you with high quality examples of his or her work. When interviewing voice over talent, it's essential that you obtain a demo tape from each of your prospects. In addition to granting you insight into the quality of a candidate's work, this will help you keep your prospects straight after you're done interviewing.

4.The voice over talent can change and adapt to different types of readings. You can ask the artist to read from different styles of literature to gain an understanding of how flexible and adaptable they are. This is especially important if you're marketing to different types of people and need varied voices for each segment.

5.The voice over talent can pace themselves. Creating a fluid, seamless voice over takes time, but you need an artist who already has a strong sense of how to pause, speed up, and slow down the message to deliver just the right message.

6.The voice over artist has solid references. Take the time to review references or testimonials to determine if you're working with an amateur or professional. Voice over artists who have a history of quality projects, working with a diverse set of clients, and providing consistency with their work are strong candidates for your project.

7.The voice over artist has a high energy level. You need to work with someone who can withstand the stresses and pressure of recording, re-recording, and in many cases, starting from scratch. Try to determine if they can articulate and develop a strong voice even when they may be tired or repeating the same piece for an extended period of time.

Hiring the right voice over talent can take time, but there are some key traits to look for during the interview and testing process. Look for any or all of these important qualities during your hiring process to ensure you find the perfect match for your marketing initiative. - 15254

About the Author: