Getting Started: 11 Voice Acting Tips
Here at The Voice Shop in New York City, we offer voice over classes for those seeking a career in the industry, whether that's narration or voice over acting. While our classes cover a range of important topics and information for all levels of aspiring voice talent, we also like to provide necessary information here on our website to get an idea of what the classes offer in moving along your voice acting career. Of course, we don’t want to give too much information away, as you’ll need to sign up for classes to truly learn voice acting, as well as the industry. However, we’d still like to fill our aspiring voice talents in on a few tips for voice acting.
Though the tips provided below will give you some great insight into the voice over industry and how you can better develop your voice, our classes led by professional voice over coaches offer much more. In fact, a few classes from our voice acting coach could be just what you need to find and develop your voice, as well as start landing gigs as a voice actor! If you're interested in our classes, view the pages below:
11 Tips for Voice Acting
In an effort to cater to all levels of voice over talent, from beginners to the more advanced, we’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks ranging from developing your voice to in-studio practices and voice acting exercises. No matter your skill level, however, these tips will surely benefit you in your endeavors, as well as give you a taste of what to expect in our voice over classes. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some great tips for voice acting:
First, you need to find your voice. Sit down and record some lines, then listen to the recording and consider what you can do with it. Think about what you’d like to do with your voice—are you considering narration or acting? How can you manipulate your voice for such?
When it comes to changing your voice, stand straight, drink some water and start working on pitch. Work on changing the volume of your voice, and exercise your breathing (it needs to be controlled). When you hear something you’re going for, take note and work on retaining that voice.
No matter the type of work, you need to speak clearly. When speaking, focus on pronunciation and enunciation. Remember, you need to be clear for the listeners.
A good way to improve your voice is by working with or around others, preferably with a little more skill. You’ll pick up techniques from them, as well as be more motivated to improve your voice and get on par with other talent. Classes from The Voice Shop in NYC are great for this.
Moving past beginner tips, focus on warm up exercises. Whether you’re working on a demo or have already landed a job, you’ve got to prepare for each session. Get your facial muscles moving, practice lip rolls and breathing exercises, and hum to get warmed up.
On your initial read through for any project or job, don’t simply read through to get an idea of the content. Go ahead and practice your voice any time you read through a script. While we’re on the subject, a few practice reads are always a good measure before recording—know the material!
Keep your voice in shape. In addition to constant practice, from developing your voice or techniques, you need to treat your voice well. Before recording, get some good sleep and drink plenty of water, then run through your warm-ups, of course.
Focus on inflection, which is how you change the form of a word. If you’re reading a statement, avoid changing the tone at the end to sound like a question. It seems like a no brainer, but this happens all the time. In short, your tone needs to agree with the content.
Don’t forget variety. Work with different types of emotion in your speaking and vary specific emotions. Expressing anger doesn’t always have to be loud, express it through emotion rather than volume.
Be theatrical when speaking into the mic. Without debate, voice acting is still physical. By moving your arms and changing facial expressions, the projection of your voice will follow suit. Think of it this way: you need to bring the voice to life.
Don’t rush into creating a demo. Demos cost money and take time, so get the most out of it by mastering your voice prior. You can record and review your voice all you want on your own, but hold up for the demo once you feel comfortable with the voice(s) you’re working on.
Bonus Tip for Voice Acting: Take Classes!
Of course, this list of tips for voice acting is far from comprehensive. A quality microphone is obviously a must have, and there’s plenty more to practice and develop before you start seeking work. The best way to attain this information and best develop your voice is through the classes we offer here at The Voice Shop in New York City. In our classes, you’ll be working with industry professionals, have access to our state-of-the-art recording studio (in our demo class), and be surrounded by fellow, aspiring voice over talent.
If you’re interested in finding your voice, developing it, and working with industry professionals to land a job in the voice over industry, sign up for class today! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. You can also give us a call at 212-213-9487.
